Ann nodded, though she doubted Zoe saw it amidst all the commotion.
“So I’m asking him things like, where he works. Where he grew up. What he enjoys in his spare time.” Her head tilted lazily from one side to the next as she ticked them off. “Software company. Seattle. And going fishing.”
“Wow.” Ann shot her a look. “You still remember. Impressive.”
“Yeah, but then he starts talking about how his son likes to fish, too. And so I’m like, okay, he has a son. No biggie. But then he goes on to say that his wife-ee-poo won’t skin the fish, cook the fish, or cut off its head.” Zoe brought a hand to her throat and made an off-with-his-head gesture. “Done. I was done at that point.”
“Wait,” Ann said, “wife-ee-poo—was that your word or his?”
“Mine. But now I feel bad for making you go sit with that kid while I sat with Mr. Brady. Total waste.”
Ann managed a one-shoulder shrug. “I didn’t mind.” She wouldn’t go into detail about her conversation with Noah. But the truth was—had Ann spent the flight next to Zoe and all of her unending enthusiasm—she’d probably be doubting her abilities to step out of her shell.
A buzz sounded from her phone. Ann shoved a blind hand into her purse as she walked, but Zoe snagged her own phone first and held it up, a group text glowing on the screen.
“It’s from Cassie.” Zoe skimmed over the text, murmuring parts aloud. “Furniture for the guest room hasn’t come yet… waiting for it to get here. I sent the guys to come get you instead!”
Ann turned wide eyes on Zoe, a short, simultaneous squeal of excitement filling the space between them.
“We’re such girls.” Zoe’s face scrunched up like a disgusted child’s.
“Women,” Ann corrected with her shoulders high. She turned to catch Zoe’s eye. “Isn’t it fun?”
Zoe tossed her a teenage eye-roll. “For me it is. I don’t know what kind of fun you’re getting out of it.”
The comment poked at a sensitive spot. A spot Ann was determined to leave back in Seattle. Zoe’s snide little comments weren’t meant to be mean, but Ann was tired of hearing them. If she was asserting herself during this trip, she’d need to do it with Zoe, too.
As directed in the book she’d been studying, Ann pictured a tightly pulled slingshot ready to fly, and let her words become the well-aimed rock. “You know what? Spending meaningless time with several men is no better than fantasizing about the one specific man you’d like to spend the rest of your life with. So I’d appreciate it if you’d lay off the topic while we’re here. Okay?”
Irritated heat may have kindled in Ann’s chest, but something entirely new flared in Zoe’s green eyes. A green that—in true Zoe-fashion—out-shown the green in Ann’s no matter the light. Everything about Zoe was bigger and brighter and bolder. And while it won her the attention of more men than Ann could count, she would never truly envy her friend.
“Fine.” The single word stamped the final page on their conversation. Sealing it away for another time.
Ann let the airport sounds take over as they retrieved their luggage and headed toward passenger pick-up. Overhead announcements, whining kids, and the ever-present squeak of shoes on the scuffed-up floor.
Until Zoe spoke up once more. “Holy shizzard.” The familiar words were far from reverent, but her tone was that of worship. “Look. At. That.”
Ann glanced up.
And then came the hallelujah chorus.
Or maybe it was a duet.
Two of God’s finest creatures strode toward them in denim blue and cowboy suede. Haloed by those heavenly hats. Well-worn hats. Used-daily-on-the-ranch hats. Cowboys. Real-life cowboys who rode horses and roped calves and turned Ann’s heart into a sprinting, hurdling, galloping breed all its own.
Thank you, Cassie. Thank you for moving to Montana and marrying Shane so that I could have this moment. This splendid, timeless—
“The one on the left is mine,” Zoe muttered under her breath.
The choir stopped singing and Ann stopped moving, but her clueless heart kept careening down the path of hopes and dreams and make out scenes.
“You can’t just claim one for your own, Zoe. We haven’t even met them.” But Ann’s mind brimmed with doubt. The one on the left. The one on the left. Please don’t let me want the one on the left.
She slowed her steps, looking over the one on the right first. Big and bulky. Confidence gleaming from the sparkle of his teeth to the swagger of his stride. His eyes roved over her figure, hugging the curve of her hips and causing a zoom of heat to race up her neck.
“Helloooooo, ladies,” he bellowed, still yards away.
“Hello, back atcha, handsome.” Zoe’s loud reply bought Ann some time to look at the guy on the left. Dark, delicious complexion. Full, tempting lips. And a gentle, genuine grin. His golden brown eyes seemed to promise everything a country cowboy should be.
Mine.
Ann didn’t care about Zoe’s claim. Or the fact that she just got done telling Zoe she couldn’t have any claim. She also didn’t care that her friend’s claims often resulted in her getting exactly what she wanted. None of that mattered. Because the man on the left was the one Ann had been pining for, yearning for, fruitlessly searching Seattle for. He. Was. Hers.
“Are you our lovely ladies from the rainy city?” the dreamy one asked.
Ann’s lips parted, but as the word yes cracked out, Zoe spoke over her.
“And are you two our rescuers from Emerson Ranch? Come to help a pair of stranded young women?” Zoe grabbed onto dream-man’s hands, securing him in place while she winked at the other.
Ann paid close attention to the reaction on each cowboy’s face. Enchantment. Delight. Admiration for the loud and attractive friend who often made Ann feel two inches tall. As inadvertent as it might be—they were total opposites, after all—it stung every time.
“You better believe we are.” Guy-on-the-right made a clicking noise with his cheek. Zoe’s type. The guy on the right was so Zoe’s type. Couldn’t she see that?
“I’m Randy,” Zoe’s-type said. “And this here is Trey.” He slung an arm around Ann’s dream man.
Trey. Trey. Trey. The word thundered in her head to the beat of her dizzy dreamy heart. He’s the one Cassie talked about. The one she said would be a good match for her. It was happening. This was finally, actually happening.
Zoe’s grin softened, shifting to the playful pout she used so often. “I’m Zoe… and this is my lovely friend, Ann.” She tipped a shoulder back, making Ann more visible than she’d been seconds ago.
Giving in to a sudden urge, Ann glanced down to make sure she was, in fact, wearing clothes. “Hi.” Her greeting came out squeakier than her luggage wheels, but at least it came. She blinked, swooped a few loose strands behind one ear, and watched as three things came into clear view among the chaos:
Trey’s hands breaking free of Zoe’s death-grip.
Trey sidestepping Zoe to get by.
Trey’s hypnotizing gaze settling right on her. “Hello, lovely friend, Ann. It’s nice to meet you.” If dark molasses had a voice, this was it. Rich and masculine and totally spoon-worthy.
Ann tried not to think about how red her face was turning beneath his gaze. She hoped her smile looked something like Zoe’s and not like the crazy grin the flight attendant wore when Ann asked if they were going to get another beverage. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
He took her hand. Shook it. And then reached for her luggage, peeling her limp fingers from the handle. “I’ll get these for you.” He hoisted the bag from her shoulder and strapped it over his own.
She watched in still-stunned silence as the other guy—she couldn’t quite remember his name—did the same for Zoe.
Perfect gentlemen. Perfect, fairytale beginning. And—above all else—absolutely perfect pairing.
“Well, aren’t you boys nice,” Zoe said with a country twang. “A girl could get used to this.”
Ann
kept her focus on the wall of glass doors as they followed along, just steps behind the men. And though she only stood in her peripheral, Ann could feel the weight of Zoe’s baffled gaze falling between her and Trey.
A grin tugged at just one side of her lips. The side Zoe couldn’t see. She imagined her heart doing an Irish celebration dance on the cloth of what used to be. Trampling the past with a triumphant smile.
Don’t get ahead of yourself, Ann, her inner voice warned. It was too soon to tell. If Trey actually preferred Ann to Zoe, it would be a miracle. But who knew? Every romance required a miracle or two. And perhaps Ann’s moment had finally come at last.
Chapter 4
If anything made an already-loud Randy louder, it was the presence of women. And the particular woman seated beside him in the back seat of Trey’s truck seemed to propel the guy to new sound heights. Could be because Zoe was nearly as loud as he was.
Trey glanced over at Ann, who kept a trained gaze on the passenger window. Even in the covered parking garage, as dark and uneventful as it was, Ann had kept her head turned away, her fingers fiddling with the small silver hoop dangling from her left ear. She seemed rather aloof, but Trey had the feeling she wouldn’t be so quiet if she were in different company.
He tightened his grip on the wheel, a wave of frustration running through him. Normally, Trey would attempt more conversation. A few light jokes to curb the awkward air. But today he was off his groove. Seeing those pictures of Shell, reliving that dark time in his life, all of it had him climbing so far inside himself he barely knew what was going on around him. He’d faked it easily enough inside the airport, but it had all come back to him once he climbed in the truck. As if the very thoughts that accompanied him on the drive there still lingered in the small space, one after another finding its way back into his head.
A loud sound of laughter cut through the cab, snagging his attention once more. He keyed into the conversation enough to recognize a few foul words coming from Randy. Aw, man. Way to make life in the front seat even more uncomfortable. Trey flicked the air conditioner up and twisted the radio knob, hoping to drown out the crude conversation. Ann didn’t seem the type to appreciate the things being said any more than he did.
“Thanks,” Ann mumbled.
Trey glanced over in time to catch hints of a smile on the woman’s face. “What was that?” he asked.
“Uh, thanks for turning the radio up. I love this song.” A wash of pink warmed her pale cheeks. Dark lashes fluttered over her green eyes.
Trey found himself momentarily sidetracked by those eyes. Accented by the flourishing green field at her back, they were stunning. His heart skipped a solid beat at the sight. “Oh,” he said, gaze darting back to the road. “You’re welcome. Guess it served two purposes then.”
The low laughter sounding in Ann’s throat told him she knew just what he meant.
“Hope I didn’t make you miss the punch line to a good joke,” he added.
“You didn’t,” she assured. “Trust me, I’ve already heard it.”
Trey risked another glance in her direction, his heart sputtering once more as he spotted the pretty grin on her face. Her posture shifted before his eyes. Her mannequin-like pose replaced by a more open position, her head tilted slightly toward him. He had noticed right away that she was beautiful; anyone with eyes could see it. She seemed kind enough, too. He wouldn’t call her approachable by any means, but Trey wasn’t one to shy away from a challenge of any sort, and this one, he mused, might just prove to be worth his time. After all, Trey was set to inherit Al’s ranch soon, which meant it was time to settle down.
Two contrasting visions of what settling down looked like warred in his head. Vision One had him living his days on his own. Him, the cattle, and the land. ‘Course he’d keep in close touch with his mom and stepdad, his siblings as well. But he wouldn’t be living for someone who could be gone in the blink of an eye.
A mean ache twisted into his heart at the thought. Until Vision Two came to mind. Married to a nice woman, one who’d stay by his side, find joy in raising a family with him, and receive all the love he had to give. Randy’s accusation might have felt off base, but if Trey was being honest with himself, he wasn’t so sure he wanted to fall in love at all. He guessed a part of him did. It’s why he’d dated off and on over the years. He just wasn’t quite convinced it was worth the risk.
Trey felt his defenses starting to rise, floating on the waters that had nearly drowned him when Shell died. Perhaps he didn’t need to go falling in love with anyone. He glanced over at Ann, the picture of refined beauty. He could simply show the girl a good time, and then tell her goodbye. They only had a few days together, anyhow. Not like anything beyond mere interest could develop in that amount of time.
His body seemed to relax at the thought. The tightness in his arms and chest starting to melt. That’s right. Relax, have fun, and show the girl a good time. No problem with that.
Chapter 5
A trio of laughter filled the glowing dining room, the sound brighter than the light overhead. Darkness stood beyond the surrounding windows at Cassie’s place, making her lovely new home all the more cozy.
“Oh, I’m so happy that you guys are really here,” Cassie said. “It feels so good to catch up.”
“Totally,” Ann said, surprised that the afternoon had flown by so quickly. “And we’re so excited for the ring ceremony.” She hadn’t missed the new light in Cassie’s eyes. The light of loving someone, being loved in return, and knowing that it’s right. It made Ann long for it even more.
Zoe leaned toward the center of the round table. “And Shane,” she said under her breath, “is a big ol’ slice of heavenly pie.”
More laughter spilled over the room. “Yes,” Cassie assured, “he is.” She set her eyes on Ann. “So, tell me what you think of Trey.”
Ann felt her face warm. Zoe had already made it clear that she and Randy were hitting it off. Ann had agreed whole-heartedly, but hadn’t said much about her and Trey.
“First impression, he seems like a perfect gentleman,” she admitted.
“Yeah, yeah,” Zoe muttered, coming to a stand. “I’ve got to hit the ladies room and freshen up. Be right back.”
Cassie eyed Zoe as she darted toward the hall. “I’m so glad she’s into Randy,” she whispered once the door closed. “I tried to be careful about what I said to you guys because I was afraid you’d both be into Trey. But I could tell you were more his type and Zoe was more Randy’s.”
The statement gave Ann a bit of encouragement. “I thought I remembered you saying something about him.”
Cassie grinned. “So how was the conversation? Do you think you guys are hitting it off?”
Ann thought about that. “Well, right when we arrived, he took my luggage from me and carried it to the truck, so that was cool.”
Cassie grinned. “That sounds like him. And Randy took Zoe’s?”
Ann nodded, not bothering to mention that Randy only took hold of Zoe’s items after Trey grabbed hers. “He was kind of quiet on the way here, but then we started talking. He’s really sweet,” Ann said. “And so gorgeous…” She let that final word dangle for a blink.
“Yes,” Cassie agreed. “He’s a catch, for sure. And I hope you’re the one who captures him.”
For some reason, hearing Cassie say it aloud made the idea seem impossible. Of all the women out there, what were the odds that he’d actually fall for her? In a matter of days, no less.
“Oh,” Cassie blurted. “I heard that Tom asked you to submit for a slot with Walquest Weekly. That’s huge!”
“Yes, who told you?” Ann asked. Not even Zoe knew about their boss’s request.
“Tom actually contacted me himself,” Cassie admitted. “He wants you to have a cheerleader in all of this.”
Ann thought through that for a minute. Tom could have easily asked Zoe to play that role, but since he’d once been Cassie’s boss, too, the man must have known that Cassi
e would do a better job of it. While Cassie would offer words and encouragement, Zoe’s idea of incentive would likely consist of sarcasm and showing-her-how-it-was-done. Something Ann had seen far too much of over the years.
“So how much do you know about the job?” Ann asked.
“I know that each applicant is supposed to read some self-help book. What’s the name of it?”
“The New You You Never Knew.” Ann toyed with the pistachios at the center of the table as she continued, the powdered salt clinging to the tips of her fingers. “Tom wants me to give him a sample page of how I’m putting it into action by tonight.”
“Already?” Cassie voice rose in pitch.
“Yeah. He really wants our agency to score this one.” Just saying it aloud caused excitement to stir within her.
“Oh my gosh, this is so exciting! I wouldn’t mind seeing what you write. Once you’re ready, that is.” Cassie pulled in a deep breath while grinning wide. “I really think you’re going to get this.”
Ann pictured her overachieving siblings gathered around her parents’ dinner table, boasting about their latest accomplishments. Next to the impressive list of their massive achievements, Ann was nothing more than a speck. Small. Insignificant. Easily overlooked. For once, she wanted to measure up. “I feel like it’s a long shot, but I’m ready to try. I’d love to be able to say I got that job over all of the other applicants.”
Cassie, who’d met Ann’s overzealous family several times, rubbed a hand over her shoulder. “That would be wonderful.” Her face turned thoughtful. “But either way, this whole experience is going to be a win for you. You know that?”
Ann sighed, her gaze falling back to the pistachios. She’d spent hours fantasizing about the day she would finally become something more. To have her name in such a prestigious magazine. To see the look on her mom’s face when she told her. Her dad’s too. She had a lot riding on this.
How to Catch a Cowboy in 10 Days (Unlikely Cowgirl) Page 2