Page 52 of Trusting a Cowgirl

“Too late.”

Brielle choked on her words. “What do you mean, too late? Did you tell someone already?”

Grace felt the blush creeping before she even got to say a word. She looked away, hoping the coloring wouldn’t look so bad in the dim lighting. “Sheriff Michael was at the diner when Riley picked us up some dinner. Apparently, he pressured Riley into telling him exactly what was going on.”

This time Brielle’s laugh was loud enough that Grace was certain it would wake up at least a few of her family members. Grace’s eyes grew wide and she shook her head, her finger coming to her lips.

Brielle snapped her mouth shut, but her laughter persisted. “Michael found out? Oh, you’re in trouble. There’s no way he’ll keep this from Dad. No one would be dumb enough to keep this kind of thing from Dad.” Her features sobered. “He’s not gonna like that you’re dating a guy who’s so much older than you are.”

“What does age have to do with it?” Grace demanded. “If Riley likes me and he doesn’t think I’m too young… and if I don’t think he’s too old…”

Brielle shook her head. “If you were to ask me, I’d say love comes in all shapes, sizes, and ages. I don’t see anything wrong with it. But think about why Dad had the rules he did. He wanted to control who we were dating so he knew that the guys we brought home were worthy of us—or something like that. If he finds out, you might as well break up with him right now.”

Grace’s frown deepened. “I’mnotdoing that.”

“Then you better think up a plan and make sure it’s a good one. Otherwise, this relationship of yours isn’t going to get very far at all.” Brielle brushed past her, leaving Grace alone with her thoughts.

Would her father really disapprove of Riley?

19

Riley

Riley sat in front of Shane. They were at an impasse. Somehow word about his date with Grace had gotten back to the guy. It was as if gossip in this town could move at the speed of light. On top of that, he was completely against Riley working with Grace considering Riley’s developing feelings.

Shane’s brows were lowered and his focus didn’t leave Riley’s face. “Do you have any idea what you’re putting me through? This is supposed to be a reputable business, and you’re making me out to be the laughingstock of the community.”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to saythat.” Riley shifted deeper into his seat. “It was just a date.”

“I didn’t give you permission to go on a date with her.”

He leaned forward. “With all due respect, sir, you don’t have that kind of power. I can date whomever I would like.”

Shane shot out of his seat. The motion was probably meant to startle him, but Riley remained calm and collected. “You are here under my supervision as ordered by the courts. I provide lodging and food, and you are supposed to follow the rules. Until I can find a replacement for you, I don’t want you seeing Miss Callahan again.”

Riley’s jaw tightened. “I don’t have to stay here.”

The man in front of him swiped up a document from the table and waved it at him. “This court document says otherwise. If you fail to meet the guidelines that have been set out by the judge, I am required to contact law enforcement.”

For all Riley knew, Shane was right. But there was a part of him that thought there could be some kind of allowance. He flexed his hands and leaned forward again, keeping his voice steady and low. “The judge required I get therapy because I wasn’t coping the way I should have. I was drinking. And when I get drunk, I get belligerent.” It hurt far more than Shane would ever know to admit that little truth. “Since working with Grace, I haven’t felt the need to escape like I used to. Don’t you think that is an improvement?”

“That’s not for me to say.”

Riley threw his hands into the air. “So what then? Because some people saw me at a diner having an argument with Grace, I’m not allowed to see her anymore? How is that even fair? You realize you can’t keep me from her, right? I can track down her address and go visit whenever I want. I’m not a prisoner here.”

Shane groaned and slapped the paperwork on the desk. “Why can’t you just let me do my job? I don’t run a freaking dating service. If word gets out that the guests who are here are dating their therapists, I might as well close up shop.”

Riley snorted. When Shane shot him a dirty look, he sobered. “Look, we’re not doing anything sordid. She didn’t stay at my place, and I was a perfect gentleman.”

A bark of laughter burst from Shane’s mouth and he spun on his heel to pace behind his desk. “You don’t know what it’s like in this town.” He peeked at Riley out of the corner of his eye. “These folks are the salt of the earth—or they can be. But before they trust you, they’re going to judge every little thing you do and then talk about it.” He let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. “Boy, they talk about it. There’s nothing that happens here that isn’t discussed at family dinner.”

“So?”

“So?” He stopped and placed his palms down on the desk. “So, do you have any idea who her family is?”

Riley wasn’t about to be intimidated by anyone if that’s what Shane was hinting at. Whoever her family was, he’d happily shake hands and get to know them like any other person he’d met.

Shane dragged a hand down his face. “Zeke Callahan is the single most terrifying person in town when he wants to be. He’s got the biggest property and the means to put anyone in their place.”

---