AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Give it a minute.”
George called after them. “J.T.?”
J.T. smiled, then turned back. “Yeah?”
“Darby is pretty attached to Gilley, and she wants to see him go to a good home. I know how well you O’Connells take care of your livestock.” He took a breath. “I’m willing to negotiate on the price.”
J.T. and Joey left the Weston Ranch twenty minutes later with a deal struck. George came down a few thousand dollars, and J.T. was happy with the price.
He smiled at Joey. “And that’s how it’s done.”
She laughed. “My goodness. I’m bringing you with me next time I buy a car.”
“I’m good with horses. Not so sure about cars.”
She put a hand on his thigh. “Thank you. Finn is going to be so excited.”
“We’ll take it slow. But in the meantime, he can start taking care of Gilley and get to know him.” He looked at her. “Now we need to get you a horse.”
“I don’t need a horse. I’m fine borrowing one of the many horses in your barn.”
“Hmm. I’ll accept that for now. But there is something I insist you get.”
“What’s that?”
He pulled over and parked in front of the mercantile. “You need a cowboy hat.”
“J.T.”
“No arguing. Let’s go. I’ve got a reputation to uphold. I can’t be seen riding with a woman in sunglasses.” He went around the truck and opened her door. “Come on.”
Joey got out, and they went into the store. Maggie was working again, and she smiled at them. “Welcome back to town, Joey.”
“Thank you.”
J.T. took Joey’s arm. “We need another cowboy hat.”
“Let me show you what I have.”
They followed her to the back of the store and Joey whispered in J.T.’s ear. “She still has a crush on you.”
“No way.”
“Believe me. She wanted you in high school, and she wants you now.”
J.T. laughed. “Hmm.”
Joey nudged him, then smiled at Maggie when she stopped at the hat display and turned to face them. “Are you going with black, too?”
“How about gray?”
Joey tried on three hats in various shades of gray, but couldn’t seem to make up her mind.
J.T. shook his head. “Finn went with the first hat we put on his head.”
“Fine. I’ll take this one.” She held up the second hat she tried on. “I like the color.” She put it on again and looked in the mirror. “What do you think? Does it look okay?”
“It looks great.”
