Page 37 of Saltwater Cowboy

“It’s crazy our paths haven’t crossed before. Ya know, with our best friends being married and all.”

My hand hovered over the door handle. “You weren’t at the wedding.”

“So observant.” The corner of his stupid mouth twitched. “I was in the hospital having my appendix taken out, if you must know.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Convenient.”

“Yeah, I really planned that one out,” he drawled. “Figured an organ rupture was the perfect excuse to skip the party.”

I huffed, crossing my arms. “Well, you missed a good one.”

His gaze flicked over me, something unreadable in those green eyes. “I know I did.”

I rolled my eyes and yanked open the car door. “Tragic. I’ll be sure to light a candle in remembrance of your appendix.”

Wren giggled behind me, and I heard Wells chuckle—low and deep, like he was enjoying this way too much. I refused to look back. Instead, I slid into the driver’s seat and pulled the door shut with more force than necessary.

As I shifted into reverse, Wells stepped forward, resting a forearm against the open window. “You always run, Sunshine?”

I gripped the steering wheel. “I don’t run. I just have better places to be.”

“Sure you do.” His smirk deepened. “See you soon.”

I slammed the car into reverse and pressed the gas, sending a satisfying spray of gravel in my wake. The farther I got from that stupid cowboy hat and infuriating smirk, the better.

But as I sped down the long dirt road, his voice lingered in my head.

See you soon.

Like hell he would.

TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS

When I woke up this morning, I sure as hell didn’t think I’d be running into my mortal enemy from the plane. Well, I’m her enemy, she’s not mine.

I’d barely gotten my boots on before Wren came barreling toward me, a bundle of excitement about W Squared Day. And then—there she was. Standing next to the car, arms crossed, sunglasses hiding whatever fire was probably burning in those sharp eyes.

The woman from the plane.

I hadn’t expected to see her again. But I sure hadn’t forgotten her either.

She’d been nothing but attitude on that flight—stiff shoulders, exasperated sighs, like my attempt at conversation was some kind of personal insult. I was trying to be nice, maybe offer a little distraction, but she looked at me like I’d ruined her whole day just by existing.

And today? No different.

The second she recognized me, she went full ice queen. Like running into me was somehow worse than whatever had already gone wrong in her life.

Which, if I’m being honest? Made this way more entertaining.

“Auntie Rose doesn’t like you,” Wren observed, watching her speed off in a cloud of dust.

I let out a low whistle. “Nope. She sure doesn’t.”

“What did you do?”

I shook my head, hands on my hips. “Not a clue, kid.” Then I looked down at her and grinned. “You ready to go feed those baby goats?”

“I was born ready!”