Page 48 of Trusting a Cowgirl

Her eyes lifted. “He’s my godfather. Why?”

Riley’s heart stuttered and he coughed. “What?”

She chuckled. “Did you meet him or something?”

“He was in the diner when I went to get food.” Riley went over everything they’d said in their conversation. The sheriff hadn’t indicated that he knew her any better than anyone else in town. His abnormal interest in Riley and Grace’s interaction suddenly made a lot more sense. He hadn’t interrogated Riley because the town wanted him to. They’d had that uncomfortable conversation because he had a vested interest in Grace.

Grace laughed again. “I know that look. What happened?”

Riley cleared his throat and heat crawled up the back of his neck. “Let’s just say that he asked me some very personal questions, and now I understand why he’d be curious about that sort of thing.”

“Now you have to tell me.”

He shook his head.

She nudged him. “Come on. I need to know. Otherwise I’m going to be blindsided—especially if he tells my dad.”

“I don’t think he’ll do that.” Riley took another bite and chewed thoughtfully. “Though he did say he wanted to wish me luck.”

Her expression flattened. “Riley. You need to tell me.”

He bit back a smile. “You mentioned your dad was kinda strict?”

She nodded.

“What would he say if he knew you were dating me?”

Her eyes widened and she placed her plate aside a little too hard. It clattered on the coffee table, and she rose up on her knees. “What did you tell him?”

“It’s not like I had a choice. He’s the sheriff. I think he was about to arrest me if I didn’t tell him.”

She dragged her hands down her face. “You didn’t.”

“I just said I was trying to date you.”

“Riley.” She groaned and sat back on her haunches. “You told Michael that we were dating? You realize he’s not going to keep it from his wife. And he most definitely won’t keep it from my dad. You might as well have stood up in the middle of the diner and sang that you were in love with me.”

He just stared at her. She painted a pretty picture, and had he not been such a private person, he might have been willing to do just that. “What if he doesn’t?”

“Oh, he will. Michael likes to toy with us—and my dad. He’s gonna get a kick out of telling my dad for sure. And then he’s going to sit back and watch the show.”

“Then I guess we better take advantage of tonight while we still can.” He laughed when she gave him a dirty look.

Her eyes clouded over and she let out a sigh. “I knew this was going to be crazy. I just didn’t realize it would be this bad.”

“Bad? Hey, I resent that. I’ll have you know I don’t make a half-bad boyfriend.”

She peered at him and snickered. “Oh yeah? What makes you so great?”

This conversation felt so normal. The banter, the smiles, all of it was what he’d been missing from his life for so long. He placed his plate on the coffee table beside hers and dusted off the crumbs. Then he got to his feet and held out his hand.

She stared at it and then lifted her eyes to meet his. “What?”

He emphasized his hand so she’d take it.

Grace let a little smile sneak out before placing her hand in his. Her hand was soft and warm. It fit perfectly in his own. The contact between them was both electrifying and magnetizing. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that they were supposed to be together—which was a strange thing to think because he’d never really thought much about finding a soul mate. But now that it was a real possibility, he was grateful to have the chance.

Riley pulled her to her feet and against him. He slipped his hand around her waist and let her body mold against his. Then pulled her into a dance. They swayed back and forth, and she let out a nervous laugh. “What are we doing?”

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