Page 40 of Catching a Cowgirl

“Goodnight, Shane.”

Letting out a pent-up breath, Shane shuffled to the top porch step and collapsed.

“That bad, huh?” a voice said, one he recognized.

His head snapped up and he spun around to find Brielle standing where Eloise had been. She wore a smirk on her face and her arms were crossed. He had never seen her looking so smug.

Shane dragged his hand down his face.

Wonderful. It would take all of three seconds before she noticed that he had a thing for Eloise. Could this get any worse?

She moved from behind him and settled on the step beside him. “How did it go?”

“Great,” he muttered.

“Really? Because you look miserable.”

“I’m miserable because I’m stuck, Brielle. I’ve been pinned with my arms behind my back, and I can’t figure out how to fix it.”

Her expression softened, and she stared out at the property. “Is this about your cousins? Because I haven’t heard a peep about them. Maybe they’re just blowing hot air.”

“That’s only part of it.”

Brielle peered at him, her eyes narrowing. “You’re upset about our arrangement.”

He stiffened. This was when everything came crashing down and she told him to walk away. The sad part was that he couldn’t blame her. Shane leaned over, resting his forearms on his knees. “I can’t pretend anymore, Brielle.”

“Why? Eloise will be fine. It’s more important for her to stay away from Marc—you said so yourself.”

“That’s not what I mean.” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “I can’t explain it, but… I think I might be developing feelings for her.”

Brielle didn’t move. Her features tightened as she drilled her angry gaze into him. “Tell me you’re joking.”

Slowly, he shook his head from side to side.

“You promised, Shane.”

“I know. And I’m sorry.”

She shot up and strode toward the door. He could practically see the steam rising off her shoulders.

Standing up and spinning around, he stared after her. “What are you going to do?”

Brielle stopped, her hand on the doorknob. “What am I going to do?” She let out a dry chuckle before she faced him. “You think I haveanycontrol over what my sister does or doesn’t do?” Shaking her head, she let out a sigh. “Eloise is her own person. If you’ve managed to win her over, then there’s nothing Icando.”

“So you’re not going to poison her against me?”

Her expression softened momentarily. “Shane, I cared about you more deeply than even I like to admit. I could tell we weren’t going to work out. Do I want you dating my sister? That’s a huge no. But could she do better?” Brielle lifted a shoulder. “Maybe not.”

That was probably the closest he would ever get to receiving a compliment from her.

“Shane?”

He glanced up at her again.

“If you hurt her…” Brielle’s threat hung in the air, sending chills down his spine.

“I won’t.”

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