Page 27 of Trusting a Cowgirl

Wade gave her a strange look. He knew something was up. That much was clear. He just didn’t know what was going on. If he had, he’d probably tell her to go jump off a cliff. His brows furrowed and he opened his mouth just as Riley materialized beside them both.

Grace shot Riley an uncomfortable look and released Wade’s arm. She crossed her arms over her chest, but it wasn’t going to do any good considering the outfit she wore. “Hey, Riley. I was just going to come find you.”

Riley’s eyes ran up and down the cowboy in their group then he held out his arm. Grace smiled in spite of herself and accepted his offering. She looked up at Wade as she brushed past him. “Just think about it, will you?”

Wade touched the brim of his hat, indicating a farewell, but Grace never saw whether or not he ended up over at Brielle’s side. Riley escorted her several yards away before facing her. “Was that guy bothering you?”

Her head reared back and she laughed. “Wade? No.Istoppedhim.”

Riley glanced over her shoulder, presumably to find Wade and stare him down again.

She touched his forearm, bringing him back to the present. “I told him he should ask my sister to dance.”

His features relaxed. “The sister who brought you some clothes?”

She flushed again. “Yeah. That sister.”

Riley stepped back and let his gaze sweep over her, making her feel even more embarrassed. She folded her arms again and let out a huff. “She thought she was being funny. This isn’t something I normally wear.”

“I think it looks great.”

It took a lot of effort not to let her jaw drop to the floor. But then she should have known he would say something like that. He was a guy, after all. She swallowed and willed her blush to fade, though based on the heat in her face, it wasn’t going away anytime soon. “It’s not professional.”

He made a funny face and tipped his head slightly. “But you’re not working.”

“No, but I’m out with a client so I should be abiding by the guidelines I’m supposed to be following when I’m at work.”

Riley leaned forward, his voice lowering. His mouth stopped mere inches from her ear and his warm breath caused hairs to stand up on her neck. “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.”

She jumped back from him, stumbling as she bumped against something. His hand shot out and grasped her wrist. Wow, his reflexes were like that of a cat. Grace stared at him for what felt like an eternity before she pulled her hand away from him and held up her bag. “I’m going to put this in Brielle’s truck.”

Grace spun around and charged through the crowded area until she made it outside. The rain-soaked earth immediately settled her nerves—nerves that shouldn’t have been on edge in the first place.

What had come over her? She was getting into her own head about something that didn’t matter in the first place. Riley wasn’t interested in her. He was a good ten years older than she was. Not only that, but she was the person who was making his life miserable—through therapy. Why would she pretend that there could be something brewing between them? The idea was ridiculous.

She ran toward Brielle’s truck and yanked on the door. It wouldn’t budge. Of course it wouldn’t budge. She turned around and leaned against it, letting her head hit the glass as she stared up at the darkened sky. To go back inside and get the keys from her sister would make her look like an idiot. She’d escaped that room like her tail was on fire.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Grace jumped at her sister’s voice. Brielle stood a few feet away, her hands on her hips. The look on her face was murder.

“Did you just tell Wade Keagan that I was in love with him?”

Grace snickered. “I didn’t saylove. Is that what he said?”

Brielle threw her hands into the air. “How many times do I have to say this? I’m not interested in datinganyoneright now. I’ve been there, done that, and I’ve lost my taste for it.”

Pushing away from the truck, Grace set an irritated look on her sister. “I’m only giving you a taste of your own medicine.”

“What isthatsupposed to mean?”

Grace gestured to her outfit with angry hand movements. “Really?Thisdress? Couldn’t you have pickedanythingelse?”

Brielle smirked. “Oh. Didn’t you want to look good for your veteran client?”

A groan escaped her lips and she threw her head back with frustration. “I don’t need to lookgoodfor him. I need to look professional and capable.This…” she said and gestured again, probably looking more like a crazed bird than a woman, “makes me look like I’m about to throw myself into his arms and ask him to take me away from this place.”

Brielle laughed. “You’re right. That’s exactly how you look. I didn’t see it at first, but I see it now. It’s awesome.”

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