Page 3 of Seaside Cowboy's Fairy Tale

Hmm, she was going to have cheesecake tonight. Her mouth watered.

He led her across the dance hall back to where they’d started. “Then I’ll be waiting.”

She lingered for a few moments, watching him. He didn’t invite anyone else to dance but chatted to a white-haired lady who looked about eighty and her stooped, balding, but smiling partner.

Not just one but three men asked Rachel to dance as she crossed the room. Her rating had gone up once people had seen her dancing with Tex Lawrence.

She declined, then walked out of the room and, several minutes later, out of the building. The dress felt suffocating, so fresh air wouldn’t hurt. And she needed Tex to be missing her. She lifted her mask for a moment, welcoming the cool night air on her face.

Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who needed some fresh air. A younger woman in a golden lamé dress and matching shoes was scrolling on her phone. Maybe this spot had better Wi-Fi? Rachel stepped into the shadows to give the woman privacy and pulled her mask back into place.

Then a man in a gray suit with a silver mask walked past the woman, and her diamond necklace no longer shimmered on her neck.

Rachel’s eyes widened. “Stop! Right now!” Now shereallywished she had her gun!

The woman looked up, her expression puzzled, but the man took off running. So did Rachel.

“Don’t leave yet!” Tex’s voice hit her in the back somewhere from the balcony.

She cringed, though a part of her went excited. Such not great timing! She pumped her legs. She was a good runner due to daily runs, but if high-heeled shoes were designed for legs to look great in, they weren’t designed for running. Tex might have teased her as a thief, but now, a real thief was going to get away!

Well, not on my watch.

She squeezed her teeth.

“Cinderella at least left her shoe!” Tex shouted behind her. He didn’t catch up with her. Clearly, he was no stranger to the gym, but he must pump iron and not exert his legs on a treadmill. Plus, she was already much further ahead of him.

She kicked off her shoes to run faster, snatched one, but didn’t have time to pick up the other because the man had already disappeared around the corner. She didn’t consider leaving her shoe hygienic, romantic, or even safe, but she didn’t have a choice.

Breathing fast, she rounded the corner.

And was met with gunfire.

Chapter Two

WHAT WAS THAT?

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