The Cowboy's Homecoming. DONNA ALWARD

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      “Hey, I love my brother. Don’t get me wrong.” Lacey’s fingers were cool against Kailey’s skin as she undid the clasp. “But that doesn’t mean I agree with everything he does. Like hurt my new best friend.”

      Kailey swallowed thickly. She loved it in Gibson, had lived here all her life. And she and Carrie had been good friends for years. But she had to admit, that with the exception of Rylan, she was very, very glad that the Duggan siblings had come to live at Crooked Valley. Duke and Lacey’s friendship had become really important to her.

      “That’s sweet,” she said, trying to make her voice sound breezy. “But you don’t have to worry about me. That’s water under the bridge.”

      “I’m glad to hear it.”

      Ouch. Not that she mistook Lacey’s meaning. Clearly the family was aware of what had happened on Valentine’s Day. And she knew that all Lacey meant was that she was glad Kailey had moved on. But it stung a little, too, that Lacey was glad there was nothing between them. It felt as if the Duggans wouldn’t support her having a relationship with Rylan... After all, blood was thicker than water. Maybe they thought she wasn’t good enough for their little brother.

      She locked herself in the changing room and frowned. What the heck was wrong with her, thinking like that? She didn’t want a relationship with Rylan, for Pete’s sake! What she wanted was for him to satisfy his inheritance requirement and then just leave again.

      And good enough? She pulled on her jeans and zipped them, her movements quick and efficient. Jeez, she let one guy catalogue all her faults as a girlfriend and suddenly she doubted herself. Honestly, there were days she wished she’d never met Colt Black and his charming face. Or Rylan and his charming face, too. Boy, she was a sucker for the lookers, wasn’t she?

      But today that didn’t matter. Today was about Lacey’s wedding, so after she put the dress in the garment bag and paid the balance at the counter, she and Lacey started back to Gibson for lunch. This afternoon they had appointments to put in the final order for the cake and flowers. Lacey was the perfect blushing bride-to-be, radiant and happy during the preparations. There hadn’t been a single bridezilla moment, and for that Kailey was eternally grateful.

      The Horseshoe Diner was doing a bustling business over the lunch hour, and Kailey and Lacey found themselves at a table near the back, close to where the ancient jukebox sat. Lacey, being ever conscious of fitting into her wedding dress, ordered a salad with dressing on the side. Kailey didn’t worry so much about what she ate, considering the physical labor she did each day. She ordered a cheeseburger with bacon and hot peppers and then, at Lacey’s horrified expression, asked for a side salad instead of fries.

      She would not look at her watch and worry about chores. She deserved a day off. This was Lacey’s wedding after all. Things could run without her for a few hours.

      Their food came as they were discussing the merits of having both a white and chocolate layer in the wedding cake. Kailey was just considering the best way to pick up her cheeseburger when the front door swung open and Rylan and Quinn strode through.

      Lacey had her back to the door, so it was Kailey who saw them first, and her heart sank as she watched Quinn scan the room for an empty table. There weren’t any that Kailey could see, and she looked down, hoping the pair wouldn’t see them sitting there. Not that she’d mind Quinn, but Rylan? No thanks.

      No such luck. A quick glance showed her that they were on their way over, Quinn leading the way with a big smile. Of course he was smiling. Lacey was there. Rylan didn’t look quite as pleased. Apparently he wasn’t looking forward to seeing her any more than she was looking forward to seeing him.

      “Is there room for two more here?” Quinn asked, and Lacey’s head snapped up in surprise, her face flushing with pleasure.

      “Of course there is!” She patted the chair next to her. “Our food just arrived. I’m sure yours won’t take long.”

      Quinn gave her a quick kiss and sat while Rylan stood by Lacey’s chair. “May I?” he asked quietly, politely. Unenthusiastically.

      “Be my guest,” she answered coolly, wishing now that she’d gotten the fries. And a big soda. And a hot fudge sundae to bury her head in.

      “Thanks,” he murmured and took the seat beside her.

      He and Quinn ordered and Kailey noticed that Lacey wasn’t eating, instead saving her salad for when everyone had their food. She looked longingly at her burger, still hot from the grill, the scent of the beef so delectable her stomach growled in anticipation. With a little chuckle, Rylan leaned over. “Eat it. It won’t be as good cold.”

      “That would be rude,” she replied, trying to ignore the delicious shiver that skittered down her spine at the quiet words uttered so closely to her ear.

      “Not if we say it’s not.” He sat back, picked up his glass of water and took a sip. “Seriously. Eat. Don’t let us interrupt your lunch.”

      She still felt awkward, but she picked up the burger—she needed both hands—and took a first delicious bite. Closed her eyes and simply enjoyed the explosion of flavor happening inside her mouth.

      When she opened her eyes again, Rylan was watching her, a look of fascination on his face, and something more, too. Hunger. For her? Or for her lunch? She grabbed her paper napkin and scrubbed it across her lips, looking away from him.

      “It’s that good, is it?” he asked, the note of teasing slightly strained.

      “Always,” she replied, taking a drink of water. “I’m afraid I’m not one of those fancy dish people with the fresh this and that, and herb and goat stuff and whatever. A good beef burger with bacon and cheese and some jalapenos and I’m a happy girl.”

      “Not champagne tastes then.”

      She met his eyes evenly. “Not really. My tastes tend to be rather...ordinary.”

      She could see in his eyes when he got her meaning, and she felt a little bit small for implanting the barb in such an innocuous way.

      She hid by taking another bite of her burger while Quinn and Lacey chatted about wedding stuff.

      Moments later Quinn’s and Rylan’s meals arrived, and she watched with envy as Rylan picked up a crispy fry and dipped it in a little dish of ketchup. He’d ordered a club sandwich, and didn’t waste any time helping himself. Likewise, Quinn picked up his pulled-pork bun and took a hearty bite. Out of sorts, Kailey wondered why men could order such meals and it was all manly and if a woman did the same thing, she got sideways looks. It was a stupid double standard. Especially considering what her daily calorie burn tended to be. Scowling, she took another huge bite of her burger.

      “You should see Kailey’s dress.” Lacey’s sweet voice interrupted the meal, and Kailey nearly dropped the half of the burger she had left in her hands while she chewed what had ended up being too big a bite. “She looks beautiful. The color is just perfect.”

      Kailey struggled to finish chewing and finally swallowed the mouthful, feeling as if she had no table manners at all. “Lace, I’m not sure the guys are interested in bridesmaid dresses, you know?”

      Quinn put his arm along the back of Lacey’s chair. “Aw, there’s nothing wrong with being excited about the wedding,” he replied, looking at СКАЧАТЬ