“I didn’t say you had to marry her. Though thinking of you as a member of the Newberry family is weird in an alternate reality kind of way.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about that.”
“I can’t blame you, though Mom seems to think there’s more between you and Devon than you claim.”
“That’s because Mom wants grandkids and believes in the fairy tale like she had with Dad.” Only even that fairy tale hadn’t had a happy ending. All those happily-ever-after stories never mentioned that eventually the happy couple would die, most likely one before the other, leaving the other half alone.
Damn, those thoughts went dark.
“You know you can date without putting a ring on her finger, right?”
“We’re just friends, man. And besides, Devon is looking for Prince Charming. We all know that’s not me.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Cole wished he had something to throw at Cooper. Instead, he called him an unflattering name that just made his brother laugh.
Cole set his mind back on work, trying not to focus on the fact that Cooper was watching. It meant more than he would have expected to have his brother offer him a genuine compliment on his work, giving him more confidence that he’d made the right decision to try his hand at art. He might have had to leave bull riding behind and would never give up ranching, but the metalworking fed something inside him he’d never known existed.
“So, since you’re not interested in Devon, maybe I’ll swing by and visit her, see if she’s as pretty as Mom says.”
Cole ground his teeth to keep from telling Cooper to stay the hell away from Devon. That would give credence to the feelings he was trying to deny.
“She won’t be interested.”
“Because she’s already interested in someone else?”
“Because she wants forever with someone, and you’ll be scooting out of town in a few days at most. How long are you staying, by the way?”
“Trying to change the topic?”
“Just stating facts.”
“Whatever you say.”
What the heck was going on? Why did it seem the entire universe was pushing him and Devon together? Well, except for her mother.
Maybe it was a good thing she was doing the online dating thing, before he went and did something stupid like starting something he couldn’t finish.
Chapter Ten
As Devon looked over her store full of kids and their parents, a combined sense of excitement and nervousness washed over her. Though she’d been hyping her store’s anniversary celebration, she hadn’t expected such a great turnout for the children’s knitting class. Several of the moms and even one dad were also taking part in the beginner lesson.
She stopped next to Mia Monroe to check her progress on her knitted bracelet. “That looks good. I like that shade of purple.”
Mia looked up at her with a huge smile. “Thanks.”
Devon smiled back, then moved on to check the next child’s work. The front door opening drew her attention, and she couldn’t help the leap of her pulse when she saw Cole stepping inside behind his mom. He carried a pile of folded quilts in his arms, ones she assumed Barbara was going to use as part of her demonstration after the knitting class was over.
“I’ll be right back,” Devon said to the knitters, then crossed to the front of the store. “Can I take something?”
Barbara shook her head. “Just show me where you want me. I’ve got plenty of arms to help me today.”
As if to give evidence of her claim, Cooper Davis stepped into the shop carrying a plastic tote and gave Devon a huge grin.
“Mom was right. You are beautiful.”
Devon’s mouth fell open a bit at the unexpected compliment. Her gaze shot immediately to Cole, who looked like he wanted to wring his brother’s neck. Why was that?
Before she could begin to answer that, a couple of women stepped inside and past Cooper.
“Can I help you?” Devon asked.
“Yes, I was wondering about the sculpture you have out front. I didn’t see a price on it.”
Again, Devon’s gaze shot to Cole for a moment. He looked surprised that anyone had even noticed the gorgeous piece, let alone asked about it.
“That piece isn’t for sale, but you’re in luck. This is the artist.” She indicated Cole, who seemed a little startled before he extended his hand to the women.
The woman who’d asked about the sculpture smiled in a way that Devon recognized and didn’t particularly like. But she had no right to feel that way, and if Cole was true to what he’d claimed since they’d become friends, it didn’t matter.
“Nice to meet you,” he said.
Devon forced her attention to Barbara. “Let’s get your area set up.”
As she draped Barbara’s beautiful quilts over a couple of quilt racks and two folding screens, Devon made sure to not look toward the front of the store where Cole was talking and laughing with the two women. Her jaw clenched at the sound of the women laughing in that way some women had when they liked a guy.
“So, my brother says you’ve been going out?”
Her attention shot to Cooper while her mind stumbled over possible responses. “Um, just fake dating, to get my mom off my case for a while.”
“Uh-huh.” He didn’t sound convinced. Had Barbara brought him over to her cause? And when did rodeo cowboys become matchmakers? Seriously, there had to be something in the air in Blue Falls. You’d think the place was called True Love Falls or something.
The sound of the door opening again caused her to look toward the front of the store, hoping it was the too-appreciative women leaving. Instead, she saw her mother standing just inside the entrance with a stunned look on her face and Cole nowhere to be seen. Had he left with the women?
Devon resisted the sudden need to scream. That would be a bad move considering her store was full at the moment.
With her stomach knotting more with each step, she headed toward her mother.
“Mom, what can I do for you?”
“I started to call you this morning but I didn’t know if you’d pick up.”
Devon wanted to tell her that she probably wouldn’t have, but she stayed quiet.
“Your father and I are having a party to launch the new line,” she said. “I wanted to invite you.”
“I don’t know. I’m so busy with the Arts and Crafts Trail beginning soon and the holidays around the corner.”
“Please, it’s only one evening.”
The “please” caused Devon to pause. She could probably count on one hand the number of times her mother had said “please” when requesting something of her. More typically the requests hadn’t been requests at all, but rather demands.
“Okay, I’ll try.”
“Good. I’ll leave you to...” Her mother gestured vaguely toward all the people in the store.
Again the front door opened, and Cole stepped inside with an apologetic look on his face. He came to stand by Devon and draped his arm casually around her shoulders.
“Hello, Mrs. Newberry. Nice of you to stop by to support Devon’s anniversary celebration.”
“Uh, oh, yes. Devon, I’ll talk to you later.” With that, her mother made a hasty exit.
Devon just stared at the door even after it closed behind her mother.
“You okay?” Cole asked.
“Yeah, I’ve just never seen my mother stumble over her words before.”
“I have that effect on women.”
Devon laughed then forced herself to step away from his warmth. “That why you disappeared? Sharing your irresistible charm with the tourists?”
“Must have worked. I just booked a commissioned piece.”
“That’s gr
eat!” Before thinking, Devon pulled Cole into a hug. Only when his arms came around her did she realize it had been a bad idea, because she didn’t want him to ever let go. Had anything ever felt so good?
Doing her best to keep from letting him see how the hug had affected her, she stepped back and slipped her hands into her pants pockets.
“Though I suspect it has more to do with your artistic talent than your charm.”
“So I’m not charming?”
Devon looked up and his gaze captured hers, threatening to steal her ability to breathe, to think coherently, to even ponder her life without him in it.
“I didn’t say that. But I doubt all the charm in the world would sell a commissioned piece if your work were butt ugly.”
This time, Cole laughed. “I don’t think you’d be displaying it in front of your store if it were butt ugly.”
“There you go again, making a valid point.”
“You can stop flirting now. Your mom is gone,” Cooper said, startling Devon with his nearness.
“Zip it,” Cole said quietly so no one other than the three of them could hear.
Cooper chuckled as he left the store.
“I’m sorry,” Cole said.
“It’s okay,” Devon said.
“I’ve always known he can be a pest, but it seems to be getting worse with age.”
Devon smiled. “Just be thankful you have a brother. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a sibling.”
“I’ll sell you mine.”
She swatted him on the arm. “I’ve got to get back to work.”
“See you tomorrow.”
A thrill went through Devon at the thought of their impending canoe ride. “I’ll bring some snacks.”
“I’ll bring my charming personality.”
“Oh, get out of here.”
Cole gave her a mischievous smile as he left that made her tingle all over, so much so she feared everyone in the store could feel it, too.
* * *
DEVON SAT IN her car in the parking lot next to the lake, taking slow, deep breaths. Even though she and Cole had spent quite a bit of time together and always seemed to have a good time, this felt different. If things suddenly got awkward, there would be no escape from a canoe in the middle of Blue Falls Lake.
She yelped when someone pecked on her window. When she looked out, there stood Cole smiling back at her.
Well, no backing out now.
She stepped out of the car. “Way to give a girl a heart attack.”
“You looked like you were going to abandon me. Can’t have that. Wouldn’t be anywhere near as fun paddling around the lake by myself.”
“Just wondering whether I want to entrust my life to you. I have no idea if you’re good with a canoe.”
“Fair.”
“Well, that makes me feel loads better.”
Dr. Chloe Kelley stepped to the microphone atop the small stage next to the lake. “Good morning, everyone. Glad to see we have such a big crowd today. The entry fees from this event really do help people in need.” After a round of applause, she continued. “And we’ve added a fun, new element this year. As a surprise for participants, you’ll find several small balloons floating around the lake. Each one has a piece of paper inside listing a prize you’ve won if you capture that balloon, everything from a free lunch at the Primrose to...a weeklong vacation in Hawaii!”
More applause rang through the air.
“Before you board your canoes, feel free to pick up one of these fliers that list all the prizes available. And if you get a chance, be sure to thank the wonderful sponsors who’ve donated the prizes.”
Cole looked over at Devon. “I could always use a free lunch.”
“Lunch, smunch, I’m already envisioning myself on the beach in Hawaii.”
Cole smiled. “What if it’s a trip for two?”
Devon’s heart thumped extra hard at the idea of a romantic getaway with Cole.
Stop thinking that way!
“Then Mandy is going to love me more than she already does.”
“Is that any way to treat your fake boyfriend?”
She put her forefinger against her chin and pretended to think. “Depends on how fast you paddle that canoe.”
“You’ll think you’re in a motorboat.”
She laughed as she grabbed the basket of snacks she’d brought.
It wasn’t exactly like a motorboat, but Cole proved how strong he was from years of riding bulls and working on a ranch as he paddled powerfully across the lake. Devon had to keep reminding herself she was supposed to be paddling as well instead of resisting looking over her shoulder to admire Cole’s biceps bulging with each pull of his paddle through the water.
But honestly, who could blame her? The man was physical perfection, temptation incarnate. It was a good thing they weren’t in a rowboat instead. Then she’d be facing him, making her task of ignoring that physical perfection even more difficult. Whom was she kidding? It’d be impossible.
She dragged her attention away from thoughts of the man behind her as they steered up next to a pink balloon.
“Grab it,” he said without breaking stride.
She placed her paddle crossways in front of her and snatched the balloon as they passed. With nothing sharp to pop the balloon, she squeezed it instead. The piece of paper dropped into her lap.
“What did we win?”
She opened the paper. “Free pizza from Gia’s.”
“Sound good to me.”
She slipped the paper into her pocket and they paddled some more, grumbling when they barely lost another balloon to Nathan and Grace Teague then laughing when they heard the prize was a night’s stay at the Teague family’s guest ranch.
All across the lake, Devon heard laughter and yelps of victory when someone captured a balloon. “This was a great way to make this more fun.”
“What, just spending the day with me wasn’t fun enough?”
She waved dismissively. “You’re old hat now.”
“Be careful. I’ll dump you in the lake.”
She turned just enough to make eye contact and gave him a stern look. “Don’t you dare. Remember, I know where you live.”
He just smiled back, a bit of the mischief in his eyes that she’d seen in his brother’s.
As they allowed the canoe to float unaided, Devon opened the bag of snacks. “Want something to eat?”
“What do you have?”
“Cheese sticks, crackers, grapes, strawberries, little chicken salad sandwiches.”
“I’ll take some grapes.”
As she pulled them from the bag and once again turned enough to hand him the fruit, he opened his mouth wide.
“Are you serious?”
“Let’s see how good your aim is,” he said.
“Okay, remember you asked for this.” She tossed one of the grapes at him, only to see it bounce off his forehead and into the lake. Devon couldn’t help snorting.
Cole laughed. “That snort will have the guys lining up to Fredericksburg to date you.”
“Hey! Just for that...” She threw another grape at him, aiming between his eyes. But this time, he snatched it out of the air with his mouth.
He waggled his eyebrows. “Impressed?”
“You got lucky.”
“Oh, yeah? Try it again.”
She tossed another and again he caught it. Same with the next two.
“Okay, fine, so you have a hidden talent for catching flying fruit.”
“I’m a man of many talents.”
Devon’s body heated at the idea of what some of those unknown talents might be. An image of him stretching out beside her naked made her consider dumping herself in the
lake. She shifted her gaze away from him and faced fully forward. In some vegetation near the shore, a balloon floated.
“Hey, there’s another balloon.” She pointed toward it, then picked up her paddle to help him maneuver the canoe that direction.
When they reached the green balloon, its color helping to hide it, she pulled it aboard as Cole began to back them away from the shore.
“What do you think we’ll get this time? Free tire rotation at the service station?” she asked.
“Don’t knock it. I think my truck’s about due for that.”
As Cole glanced behind him toward the middle of the lake, she took the opportunity to watch him. Man, those arms were perfection. She imagined them bracing him above her as they made love.
When Cole started to turn his head back toward her, she jerked her attention to the balloon and popped it. The breeze caught the paper and she barely snatched it before it blew away, leaving them to wonder what the prize had been. The canoe rocked a little with her effort.
“Careful,” Cole said. “I can pay for my own tire rotation.”
“Yeah, but I’m still hoping for that Hawaiian vacation.”
“I still think I should be able to go with you since I’m the one pulling us around this lake.”
“Hey, I’ve been paddling, too.”
He grinned. “If that’s what you want to call it.”
“You sure are in a mood today.”
“It’s a beautiful day. Good company. I won some pizza.”
“We won some pizza.”
Devon rolled her eyes and looked down as she opened the piece of paper.
“Oh, my God!”
“What’s wrong?” Cole asked, his tone changing instantly to one of concern.
She read the paper again to make sure then looked back at him. “The Hawaii trip. Cole, it’s the Hawaii trip.” She was so excited, she jumped up before she remembered she was in a canoe.
“No!” Cole said as he reached for her.
Devon squealed as the canoe rocked, knocking her off balance. She tried to regain her seat, but it was too late. In the next moment the canoe tipped over, dumping her into the water.
For a moment, Devon panicked as she fell below the surface of the water. She flailed, her mind trying to figure out which way was up. Just as she spotted the sunlight on the surface, something grabbed her. Without thinking, she opened her mouth to scream in the same moment she was tugged upward.
COWBOY TAKES A WIFE, THE Page 11