Page 23 of A Jilted Bride for the Cowboy

Graham’s fingers lightly pressed against her waist. “I’d like to think I’d have stuck my oar into Paul’s monologue even if it hadn’t been you, but I’m not sure I would have. All I knew for sure was that you deserved better treatment than that.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m… I know you’ve got stuff to think about after what happened. I get that. And I also know that a beautiful, accomplished woman like you will have all kinds of guys lined up in no time at all. So, thanks for tonight.”

He didn’t think he was the kind of man she’d go for? All he had to go by was public evidence. She’d settled for Paul Bradley.

But he was also right. It had only been a week since she’d been dumped. She needed time to process it all.

She twirled, and he dipped her. Their gazes met for a long moment before he righted her. They stepped back into the flow on the makeshift dance floor.

“Why don’t we see where things lead us?” she suggested. God. She meant where God led them. One of the places He was leading her was into remembering she trusted Him. She’d been so busy — no, self-absorbed — the last while, she’d been negligent.

Graham’s smile was fleeting. “Sounds fair.”

A few minutes later, Bryce cut in, and Graham stepped aside. The next time she looked for him, he’d disappeared.

Chapter Seven

Cadence’s eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim interior of the stable. Ahh. A smile crept across her face as the tension oozed away. Stalls for more than a dozen horses lined the concrete center aisle, which was spotlessly clean. The scent of fresh straw filled her nostrils, and the gentle sound of a tail swishing against planks met her ears. Further out, she could hear voices and laughter.

This took her way back to her childhood summers at camp in the best possible of ways. The little girl she’d been had lived for those weeks hanging out with her equally horse-crazy friends and the equines they all adored. She’d kept going as a helper even as a teen, when many of her friends had been flaunting their trips abroad.

She’d been here for a full two weeks, and this was her first visit to the stables with intent to ride. The first time she’d been able to convince Graham.

Why did it matter if he came along? Cadence didn’t want to think about it. She was the one who loved to ride. He proclaimed hating it. She could have ridden without him anytime.

A shadow crossed the brightly lit doorway at the other end. When the person stepped beyond the illumination, she could see it was Weston. Maybe that’s why she hadn’t come. He wasn’t her favorite person, and she wasn’t as kind and forgiving as her housemate. Paisley had decided the grouchy cowboy was going to learn to smile. Good luck with that, girl.

“I thought you said Graham was coming.”

“He’ll be here in a minute.”

Weston rolled his eyes. “Maybe I’ll wait to saddle Kennedy when he actually shows up.”

Cadence’s back stiffened. “He’s coming. He said so.”

“Sure. Whatever. I thought I’d put you on Mirage.” Weston crossed to a box stall and opened it. “Hey, girl. Wanna go for a trail ride?”

Cadence blinked. The guy’s whole voice and demeanor changed when he spoke with a horse. She edged closer to see him running his hands through the palomino’s mane and cupping her head.

“She’s beautiful.”

Weston’s hands dropped as he turned to her. “Yeah, she is. You say you’ve done a lot of riding?”

“A fair bit.” Her gaze landed on the saddle on its block. “I can tack up.”

His eyed her skeptically before he stepped back and crossed his arms. “I’ll watch.”

Or he could do whatever else he needed to do. But she got it. Probably dozens of people told him they’d ridden lots when they hadn’t.

Cadence entered the stall and introduced herself to Mirage before beginning the process. She was adjusting the cinch when she heard footsteps in the aisle.

“You came.” Weston’s voice was noncommittal.

“I said I would,” Graham replied.

“I thought you’d back out.”

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