Page 5 of Faking it with the Cowboy

“That’s right.” When she said shit like that, I wanted to hop in my truck and haul ass down to Dallas. It had been too long since I’d seen her. I had a feeling I’d built her up in my head during the time we’d spent apart. Setting eyes on her would be the only way to prove to myself that we were never destined to be more than friends.

“Enough about me. Finish what you were saying. Something about getting pimped out?”

“It sucks. The owner of the Iron Hart is going to start selling days with the ranch hands. Know anyone who’s willing to buy me for a day?” Saying it out loud made my gut clench.

“Poor Birch. It might be good to get outside your comfort zone. Maybe you’ll meet someone.”

“Yeah, right.” She couldn’t see me, but it didn’t stop me from shaking my head. “With my luck, I’ll get stuck with someone who doesn’t know a thing about horses.”

“Well, I don’t know much about horses, but I’ll do it.”

She tossed it out there like it would be no big deal, but she had to be joking. “You’re four and a half hours away.”

“It would be fun to see you again after all these years. Plus,”—she paused to take in a deep breath—“maybe you can do me a favor in return.”

“What’s the catch?” Her offer was too good to be true.

“I’ll save you from a day with a desperate cowgirl if you’ll pretend to be my boyfriend at my boss’s wedding. What do you say, Birch?”

4

JERICHO

Ipulled through the gates of the Iron H Ranch and looked for a place to park. Ever since Birch and I agreed to trade favors, I’d been looking forward to today day with equal parts excitement and nervousness. We hadn’t seen each other in seven years. I wasn’t afraid he’d changed so much I wouldn’t recognize him, but I worried what he might think of me. I’d always been short and curvy compared to his tall, muscled frame, but even my curves seemed to have taken on curves since high school.

It was too late to turn back now. I’d driven three-fourths of the way after work last night and stayed in a hotel outside of Clinton. This morning I’d made the rest of the drive. Birch hadn’t been joking when he said the Iron H was in the middle of nowhere. I hadn’t minded the trip, though. It had been too long since I’d enjoyed driving the back country roads at home.

I’d barely gotten out of the car when a lanky cowboy in dark blue jeans headed my way. “Can I help you?”

“Sure. I’m looking for Birch.” I returned his smile. “I paid for a day with him, and he’s supposed to show me around.”

“Are you sure you didn’t pick my name instead?” He held out his hand. “I’m Brandon, and I’d love to be your guide for the day.”

“Don’t touch him, Jericho. He’s got cooties.” Birch’s voice came from behind me.

I turned around and my breath stalled mid-inhale. He had on worn jeans that molded to his thighs and a button-down plaid shirt with the sleeves pushed halfway up his arms. It was open at the neck and revealed a tight white tee underneath. His cowboy hat sat low on his forehead, preventing me from seeing his eyes, but I could feel his gaze roam over me, heating up every part of my anatomy.

“Hey, honeybee. It’s good to see you.” He came right up and pulled me into a bear hug.

I pressed against him, breathing in the sweet scent of hay and horses with a hint of saddle soap and leather underneath. “It’s good to see you too.”

“Wait, is this your friend from high school?” Brandon asked.

Birch pulled back. “Yeah. Brandon, meet Jericho Sorrel. We grew up in the same small town in Texas, then she went off to college so she could start climbing the corporate ladder.”

“I think you made the better choice. Look at this place.” I swept my gaze around in a circle, taking in the view of the huge ranch.

“Guess that means you don’t want to trade in this grumpy cowboy for someone who knows how to keep a smile on your face all day?” Brandon asked.

“Get outta here.” Birch shooed him away. “Jericho and I have a lot to catch up on. Besides, I think your date for the day is in the office.”

“Not the woman with the turquoise-inlaid boots?” Brandon winced.

“The sooner you get started, the sooner it will be over.” Birch rested his arm on my shoulder and turned me toward one of the big barns. “Don’t worry about him. I bet he finds a way to get out of it. That guy’s slicker than hog snot.”

I let out a laugh. “I’ve missed you and your smart-ass mouth.”

“I’ve missed you, too. What would you say to saddling up a couple of the horses so I can show you around the ranch?”

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