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Oh yes, he had the ring that he’d taken back from his ex-wife. But did he want Madison wearing that ring? It felt cursed.
“I’ll get one,” he said, thinking maybe he could trade it in on something that looked more like Madison. She could wear it until they broke up.
“So when will we announce we’ve broken up?” he asked.
“After the Cattleman’s Ball. There are how many other balls or dinners before that one?”
“At least three,” he said, thinking he wouldn’t have to dodge over-eager young women now. And that felt really good.
“That happens the end of February, so we’ll be together until then,” she said. “Do you dance?”
They were not far from the country club, so they needed to make some decisions.
“Yes,” he said.
“Good,” she replied. “After dinner, let’s dance. Hold me really close and whisper something in my ear like you’re talking about what we’re going to do after we leave.”
Geez, how did he do that with someone he’d always considered to be his little sister?
“Later in the evening, I want you to kiss me in front of everyone,” she said. “Oh and be very attentive. Make it look like we can barely keep our hands off each other.”
Shaking his head, he wondered what he’d gotten himself into. “Are you certain this is going to work?”
A smile crossed her face, “Oh yes. Just wait and see.”
They pulled up in front of the country club and she looked at him and smiled. “We’ve got this. We can do it and you’ll get what you want and I’ll soon be moving to Oakdale.”
The valet opened his door. “Good evening, Mr. Landry.”
“Good evening,” he said, stepping out and then going around to Madison’s side of the truck.
Taking her hand, he helped her out and she leaned into him.
“Thank you,” she said.
After taking her by the elbow, they walked into the country club where the meeting of the Texas Ranchers Association was held tonight.
Adrian gave the girl outside the restaurant their information and she led them to a table where two other couples were seated.
He pulled out her chair and she sat quite daintily for someone who could empty a mud puddle with one jump. Of course, that was twenty years ago.
“Good evening,” she said, glancing around the table.
The other couples nodded and Adrian sat beside her.
“Norma Jean,” he said. “I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”
The woman all but glared at him. “Tony asked me to be his date.”
“Hello,” Adrian said to the other couple while reaching across the table and shaking the man’s hand. “Adrian Landry.”
“Jim Burns and this is my wife, Rachel,” the man said.
“My girlfriend, Madison,” he said introducing her to everyone at the table.
“Norma Jean and I know each other,” she said. “We went to school together.”
The girl frowned. “We did.”
