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She smiled as she texted back. Nine and a half.
He replied almost immediately. Those are some good-sized hoofs, Libby Lou. I know what they say about men who have big feet. What do they say about women?
She rolled her eyes. Are you asking if I have a big penis?
Well, considering everyone in town has told me you have balls . . .
She laughed. Is this what you call seduction?
Is it working?
Not at all.
Then I guess it’s back to the drawing board.
She was still smiling when a loud rumbling drew her attention. She glanced in her side mirror and saw his truck backing out behind her. He leaned down and waggled his fingers.
Annoying man.
She was watching the obnoxious truck take off with flags flapping when Melba Wadley startled her by stepping up to her window.
Melba had been the sheriff’s assistant for as long as Liberty could remember. She was a stout woman with an addiction to Crocs, bright clothing, and abandoned or abused animals. She fostered those animals and found them permanent homes. Decker and Sweetie had two of Melba’s orphans. Rome and Cloe had numerous. Corbin had one.
Which was why Liberty wasn’t surprised when she rolled down the window to say hi and Tay-Tay jumped up and started meowing like crazy.
“Well, hey there, Taylor Swift.” Melba stroked the kitten’s ears—without one nip or scratch. “You’re lookin’ good, girlfriend. Love the rhinestone collar. I started getting a little concerned I’d made the wrong decision placing you with Corbin after I found out about what he’s doing. But you look as fit as a fiddle.” She glanced at Liberty. “How did you end up with her?”
“I’m just cat-sitting for a friend.”
Melba looked surprised. “Jesse said y’all were friends, but I didn’t believe him. Not when his friend is trying to take your family’s ranch.”
“It’s complicated.” That was putting it mildly, but Liberty didn’t want the entire town finding out about her bet with Jesse. She didn’t even want her family knowing. Her daddy would throw a fit. Her mama would be appalled that she’d even considered it, her sisters would try to talk her out of it, and Mimi . . . Mimi would probably think she was going to marry off another granddaughter. Which was why it was better to keep the bet to herself.
Of course, the townsfolk had always filled in the blanks the way they saw fit. Liberty was surprised how close Melba came to the truth.
“Ahh, I get it.” She winked at Liberty. “That Jesse is one hot cowboy. He turned his charming smile on me and I about melted into a puddle. And just because he’s friends with Corbin doesn’t mean he’s a bad apple too. Although he refused to take Buck Owens.” Melba’s eyes lit up. “Say, you wouldn’t be interested in a cute little pug, would you? Buck would be a perfect pet for you and Belle. I bet you two girls miss being around animals.”
It was the truth. Liberty did miss animals. It hadn’t been so bad when she and Belle could come back to the ranch and get their fix. But Daddy had to sell off all the cattle and horses to pay the loan. As the dogs and cats passed, Mama figured it was best not to replace them since she already had her hands full taking care of the ranch. It was a shame. Mimi and Mama loved cats and dogs.
As soon as Liberty untangled this mess, she intended to make sure they got as many as they wanted. Maybe she’d even buy Daddy a couple horses. He wouldn’t have enough land to raise cattle, but he could ride. And she was sure Rome would let his new father-in-law help work the Remington Ranch. Although she doubted her daddy would want to. He and Sam Remington, Rome’s father, put up with each other now that their children were married, but that didn’t mean they liked each other.
“. . . I’m telling you that Buck Owens is the sweetest thing you’d ever want to meet. Wait right here and I’ll go get him.”
Liberty pulled out of her thoughts and realized she hadn’t been paying close enough attention to what Melba was saying. If you didn’t pay attention to Melba, you ended up with a pet you didn’t want.
Liberty held up her hand. “Now hold up there, Mel. I’m sorry, but Belle and I can’t take any of your animals. Our apartment building doesn’t allow pets.”
Melba looked like Liberty had punched her in the face. “What kind of place doesn’t allow pets? And why would you and Belle want to live there?”
“Apartments close to our office are hard to find. Especially in our price range.”
Melba sighed. “I guess I just don’t understand city life. But Buck Owens isn’t why I wanted to talk to you, anyway. My granddaughter is going to turn five this Saturday and since my daughter-in-law has her hands full with my three-year-old granddaughter and my new grandson, I told her I’d pull Pip’s party together. But I don’t know the first thing about planning a little girl’s party and I was wondering if you’d help me out.”
When Liberty had started an event-planning business with Belle, no kids’ parties had been her one stipulation.
“Sorry, Mel, but kids’ birthday parties aren’t really my specialty. Belle and I only do adult events.”
“I just need a little guidance. My sons you could hand squirt guns and Popsicles and they thought it was a party. But little girls are different. They like everything organized and pretty with planned entertainment. I don’t have a clue how to entertain twelve little girls.”
