Page 20 of Forbidden Cowboy
“She lacks fun,” Natalie whispers as the voices settle.
“As summer kicks off, new members have joined our team.” Jade welcomes the new members by name. They’re mostly high school students taking on part-time summer positions.
“Do you think she’s going to try the handclap?” Josie digs out a handful of mini marshmallows from the fake tree stump on the fireplace. She has mini marshmallows stashed in secret hiding places throughout the lodge.
“She’s going to try the handclap.” Natalie wrinkles her nose at the mountain of marshmallows in our sister’s mug as if this isn’t an ordinary morning Josie routine. “That’s disgusting.”
“You’re disgusting.” She tosses a coffee-drenched marshmallow at Natalie. “And she sucks at the hand clap.”
My mama strums her acoustic guitar a minute later, and Jade leads us in the Fox Lodge handclap and song. It’s a bouncy tune I will never tire of and an effective custom to energize the staff on a positive note before the meeting gets down to business. Jade lists off the day’s special events, including the outdoor scavenger hunt my niece and nephew have been boasting about for days.
“This weekend Hope Fox has booked off to work on the fair kissing booth—” Jade glares at me over the rim of her glasses. I’m thankful I’m not within talking range after the barrage of lectures all week. “—and Mrs. Fox will be filling in for her.”
“Come and find me anytime for anything.” My mom tilts her favorite red Stetson in a friendly nod. She’s never seen without it.
She’s a cowgirl in all the senses—layered blonde hair with curtain bangs, a plaid shirt knotted above her waist showing off the silver fox head belt buckle.
“What’s the deets on the kissing booth?” Natalie blows the steam on her mug before taking a sip.
“I have great plans.” I slide my cell phone from my pocket and swipe it open. “I want to do this sort of double booth. One side for kissing and the other for hugs.”
“I’m not interested in the kissing booth construction. I’m referring to the man assisting with the construction.”
My insides turn to goop. I try to maintain posture as I casually ask, “What about him?”
“Your shoulders stiffened at the mention of him.” Natalie digs her fingertips into my shoulder.
“You should’ve seen her after the town meeting,” Josie slurps another marshmallow. “She had this look on her like she’d been laid—” Josie gasps. “Did you get laid? Who was it? It was Levi, wasn’t it? Oh my gosh, tell us!”
Jade’s stare snaps in our direction. “Something you’d like to share, Josie?”
I’m thankful when Josie shakes her head. “No, ma’am. Just excited for the day. Go Foxes. Go.” When Jade moves on, Josie nudges me. “I want all the details.”
“I see Natalie Fox is absent tomorrow, and Mrs. Fox will take over her hikes.” Jade’s questioning eyes dart from my sister to my mom. “How are you doing horseback tours and hikes?”
“Sweetheart.” My mama’s southern drawl is thick. “I’ve run this ranch much longer than you.”
“And Josie Fox is taking another weekend off.” Jade swings her iPad, and it hits the side of her leg. “Is Hannah going to be around for tonight’s scavenger hunt?”
“She’s losing it,” Josie whispers without moving her mouth.
“Yes,” I chirp up. “The scavenger hunt has already been set up, and the setup for the campfire to follow will begin during supper.”
The meeting doesn’t last longer than fifteen minutes.
“Another successful meeting.” Josie pushes off the wall. “I’m off. Can’t wait until we meet again.” She walks backward, blowing kisses at me.
“Why is she acting weird?”
Natalie shrugs. “I have no idea.” Her smirk suggests otherwise.
“Why are you acting weird?”
“Not acting weird.”
After a hardy breakfast of pancakes and bacon, I saddle up my morning horseback tour and guide them along the dusty paths and picturesque rocky backdrop.
I’ve been tempted to ride to the Fox/Wilde fence line for days. Instead, I took days to mull over Levi’s confession. And maybe he needed time to rethink it, too. Either way, my body is a bag of nerves today because I find myself on board with Levi. I’m all in—if he hasn’t changed his mind.