How to Catch a Cowboy

by Tia Souders

  Danny said “yes” without hesitation, but Rhett had one small request upon her acceptance—that she agreed to an engagement gift of his choosing.

  As it turned out, Rhett’s idea of an engagement gift was an entire cabin at the resort to renovate into a full-fledged salon and spa. That way, she could follow her dreams and still be close to home after they got married.

  He gave her the space and then he handed over the reins.

  Now Danny had more than she ever hoped for, and if she was being honest, maybe that was the real reason behind her nerves. She never knew true happiness until now. And it scared her that something might ruin it.

  Danny exhaled. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”

  “Of course I am.”

  Danny playfully poked Rhett in the ribs. “I know I’m worried over nothing. I just want it to be perfect, you know?”

  Rhett pulled her further into his arms. “I know. But you know what else is going to be perfect?”

  “What’s that?”

  “When you marry me at the chapel next weekend.”

  Danny glanced up at him and arched a brow. “Nice try. But we set a date, and we’re sticking to it.”

  “But why can’t we move it up?”

  “Because even though it’s just going to be us and your family, we have a caterer scheduled. Plus, we have it all set up for everyone to pitch in and help run the ranch while we’re gone.”

  Rhett grunted. “Where are we going again?”

  “Hawaii.”

  “Right. Did I ever mention that I’m more of a mountain kind of guy? We could just get married next weekend and enjoy an uninterrupted week at the resort.”

  Danny pushed away from him and laughed. “You’re incorrigible.”

  “But you love me,” Rhett said as those gorgeous hazel eyes sparkled.

  “I do. I love you, Rhett Montgomery.” She sighed. “Lord knows why. But we’re going to the beach and that’s final.” She pointed. “The ranch will survive without you, and you can wait another four months to get hitched,” she said, trying to suppress her grin.

  Rhett groaned like it pained him to wait, but Danny secretly loved it, which she suspected was part of the reason he continued to goad her about pushing up the date.

  “Fine. I guess the beach has its advantages.” Rhett’s gaze slid over her body, sending a rush off goosebumps over her arms. “Like you in a bikini,” he said, yanking her back to him.

  “Mm-hm,” she murmured as her skin flushed hot.

  “Rubbing sunscreen on your skin.” He leaned down and kissed the side of her neck. "Breakfast in bed.” He kissed her ear next. “And sipping cocktails from coconuts under the sun.”

  “Now you’re talking,” Danny murmured, then stretched onto her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his.

  “Okay, any more of this and I just might puke.”

  Danny jolted at the sound of Tess’s voice and placed a hand over her racing heart.

  “I told you that you should’ve gotten a bell for the door,” Rhett grumbled.

  “Yeah, well, if you two weren’t so nauseatingly in love and constantly pawing at each other, then you wouldn’t need to worry about anyone interrupting.” Tess pointed accusingly between them.

  “First, you’re on me about moving on and finding someone, and now that I found someone, you’re annoyed about that too.” Rhett threw his hands up in the air, then glanced mournfully back at Danny’s lips. “I can’t win.”

  “Face it, big brother,” Tess sauntered past him and slapped a hand to his chest, “I’m always going to find something to be annoyed with you about.”

  When she came to a stop in front of Danny, her gaze flickered around the room, and she whistled. “The place looks good. More than good.” Then her face split into a grin, and she drew Danny into a giant hug. “Well, done. I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thank you,” Danny mumbled, her throat tight. Tess was already like a sister, and she couldn’t have asked for a better friend these past seven-plus months.

  After a moment, Tess pulled away and cleared her throat. “Now, whaddya say we head on over to The Water Hole. I happen to hear there is a celebration going on.”

  “For?”

  Tess rolled her eyes. “Your grand opening tomorrow. Duh!”

  “But,” Danny frowned, “isn’t that kind of what the open house is for?”

  Tess waved her away. “Yeah, but lover boy over here set this one up.”

  Danny glanced at Rhett, eyes wide, waiting for an explanation to which he shrugged and glanced down at his feet, looking slightly sheepish. “I thought a celebration with just friends and family where you could relax and enjoy yourself would be a nice way to take your mind off of opening day nerves.”

  Family. It was what the people of Cedar Falls had become these past months, all of the Montgomerys included.

  Danny swallowed over the lump in her throat and nodded.

  How did he know she’d need the escape?

  “That . . . sounds amazing.” She had to be the luckiest woman alive, or at least it certainly felt that way.

  She sauntered over to Rhett and clasped his face firmly between her hands, then pulled him toward her, lowering his lips to hers once more.

  Behind them, Tess groaned. “I can’t wait until you two are out of this honeymoon phase. How long is it before you hit the old married couple phase?”

  “Ignore her,” Rhett mumbled over Danny’s lips.

  “One month after you’re hitched? Two?” Tess continued. “Because I’m not sure how much more of this mushy stuff I can take.”

  Danny pulled away with a laugh. “I think it’s more like years,” she said as Rhett grabbed her hand and guided her to the door.

  Tess groaned. “Years?

  “Uh-huh,” Rhett and Danny said in unison, then laughed.

  Join Tia’s VIP Readers Club!

  Discover deals on my books, giveaways, new release parties, and more!

  Get a FREE novelette just for signing up!

  Grab your copy of Dashing Through the Snow HERE!