Page 16 of The Cowboy’s Forever Promise

“He’s sleeping,” Abby said, stroking George’s head. “He’s not bothering me.”

His eyes dropped to the V of her top where the swell of her breasts was just visible.

“… busy weekend,” Ellie’s voice interrupted his lustful thoughts. “Thursday late afternoon is June’s book launch at the library and next weekend it’s the Marietta Harvest and Beer festival.”

“Is the festival next weekend already?” June asked.

“Oh, yes,” Rose said, smiling. “And that means it’s time for a trip to Bozeman. June, I’m sure you need a new dress for your book launch, and then there’s Saturday night’s dance. What do you say?”

“Great idea,” June said. “Abby is looking for stackable storage baskets or boxes for our house, do you know of a place where we can find that?”

“Oh, yes,” Arlene said. “I know exactly where such a store is in Bozeman. What about Monday? You probably need the storage boxes as soon as possible.”

The women’s voices rose as they excitedly planned their trip to Bozeman.

Dylan who was passing behind his chair, touched his shoulder. “You okay?” he asked as he bent down on the other side of where Abby was sitting. “You still have a sledgehammer-on-the-forehead kinda look.”

Turning his head slightly, Carson shook his head. “I … I wasn’t expecting to see her again.”

“You have feelings for her?”

Carson shrugged, crossing his arms. “How would I know? She’s gorgeous and sweet and funny and … well, let’s leave it at that, but I don’t know anything about her, except that she’s into decluttering and organizing …”

Dylan sighed. “I don’t know, it sounds perfect to me. Why don’t you ask her to do something about your house?”

“I like my house …”

“Do you, really?” Dylan asked. “Or are you just still rebelling against Mom?”

Before Carson could answer him, he was walking away.

Beside him, Abby put money on the table before she handed George to him. “Annie and Craig are leaving, I’m going with them.” Getting up, she smiled. “Thanks, everyone for a lovely meal.”

“Remember we have lunch at my place tomorrow,” Arlene said.

“It’s very kind of you, Arlene, thank you.”

While she was talking, Carson also got up. “I’ll take you.” With George tucked closely under his jacket, he also left money on the table before he took Abby’s hand.

“It’s really not …” she began, but he bent down.

“We should talk, don’t you think?” he said under his breath. Around them, voices hushed, everyone was looking their way.

“Okay, fine.” Pressing her lips together, Abby pulled her hand from his and turning around, headed for the exit.

His eyes dropped down to the way her jeans fit around her very sexy butt. Oh, man, if he wasn’t mistaken, he was in deep trouble.

*

Overwhelmed and tired, Abby rushed outside. The crisp, cool fall air was lovely. She was burning up. Sitting so close to the cowboy all night had the same effect on her as it had last night. His musky, earthy scent had slowly been driving her crazy all through the meal. She had no idea what anyone else had said.

“There’s Craig and Annie, I’ll go with them …” she tried again.

With his hand behind her back, he gently steered her toward a humungous truck.

“Hang on,” he said as he opened the door and set George inside. “Let me help you.” He held out his hand.

“I can get into a damn truck by myself,” she muttered crossly. She had no idea why she was so grumpy, she never was. It had just been a long, strange day.