Hot Cowboy Nights (Lucky Penny Ranch #2)(12)

He sighed.

Deke was right. It was going to be one hell of a dry spell.



Of all the jobs that Lizzy did in her ranch supply store, cleaning was the one she hated the most. But there came a time when the store shelves had to be dusted or else a simple sneeze could turn the whole store into a fog. So that Wednesday afternoon, she set out to put things right. Armed with a dust rag, a can of sweet-smelling spray, and determination, she started at the back of the store with the notion of working her way to the front.

She’d gotten the bottom shelf of the first of six racks done when the cowbell rang. Rolling her eyes toward the ceiling, she mouthed, “Thank you!” to whatever deity sent someone to give her an excuse for a break.

“Lizzy, where are you?” a feminine voice called out.

“Be right there.” Lizzy popped up on her feet from a sitting position and brushed the dust from the butt of her jeans with the palm of her hand. Leaving the cleaning behind, she hurried to the front of the store.

“Good morning,” Mary Jo said as she waved. “Lucy told me that this sale rack of hooded sweatshirts was going on a bigger sale this week and I came by to see what was left.”

“Seventy-five percent off for today only. Sizes are limited though. How are things coming along for the festival?” Lizzy hopped up to sit on the checkout counter and crossed her legs.

“It’s gathering momentum. Everyone is talking about it, which is good because they’ll spread the news and more people will attend. You’ve got all the sizes I need for my dad and brothers.” She stopped and sucked in a lungful of air before she went on. “What was that all about Sunday? You got in the backseat of Blake’s truck and his brother Toby was sitting beside you. Are y’all flirtin’ or datin’? I heard he was a player. You might want to be careful with that one, Lizzy. Besides Sharlene has let it be known that she’s got him staked out and you don’t want to mess with her.”

The cowbell rang and a blast of fresh air preceded Lucy Hudson into the store. “I came back for more of those jackets, Lizzy. I swear to God, Herman can wear one out every two weeks out there in the fields cuttin’ wood so I’m going to stock up for winter. Mary Jo, you’d best not have bought the biggest ones or I’ll have to fight you for them.”

“No, ma’am, my family takes the smaller sizes. I see there’s bigger sizes still here,” Mary Jo said. “And Lizzy, you didn’t answer me.”

“About what? The fact that she got into the backseat with Toby Dawson on Sunday?” Lucy asked. “Might as well ’fess up, girl. If the whole town wasn’t talkin’ about this reunion thing, you and that hot cowboy would take the top billing.”

Lizzy fidgeted with the mason jar of pens sitting on the counter. The door swung open again and she thought she’d been saved by the old proverbial bell. Then she looked up into Toby’s steady blue eyes. His faded plaid shirt hung open, revealing what used to be a white tank top under it, but now it was dirty and wet with sweat. That lovely dark chest hair that she’d run her fingers through so many times was plastered to his chest. And right then he was even more sexy than when he was all slicked up for church on Sunday mornings.

“Good mornin’, ladies.” He tipped his hat toward Mary Jo and Lucy. “Lizzy, I’ve got my truck backed up to the back door. I need about five bags of fertilizer. I’ll pay for them, get them loaded, and shut the big doors behind me when I leave.”

She spun around on the counter and slid off on the other side. “You did say five bags, right?”

“Yep, I think that will do for what we’re going to do today. Hey.” He turned his head and winked just for her benefit. “We should be done by six. Want to ride down to Throckmorton with me and get some ice cream tonight?”

The crucial moment had arrived. Swim? Drown? Let Mitch breeze back into Dry Creek with everyone congratulating him on all his newfound love and missionary work while they felt sorry for her. Or jump right into the deep water and let everyone know that she was seeing Toby Dawson.

“I’d love to.” She smiled, her hormones buzzing so loudly that she was amazed no one could hear them.

What I’d really like to do is find a hay barn between here and there and have another hot night with you. But that won’t happen, so ice cream might be the next best thing.

“We’ve got that women’s thing at the church tonight,” Mary Jo said.

“And we can take care of it without Lizzy, I’m sure,” Lucy said with a raised voice. “It’s only a discussion about the potluck dinner. Lizzy, you are bringing two chocolate sheet cakes and a cherry pie. There, that’s settled.”

Toby handed her his charge card. “Pick you up at six thirty?”

The electricity that skipped from his hand to hers put pictures of his naked body in her mind. Why, oh why, had she ever started something with him to begin with?

“I’ll be ready.” She tallied up the bill, laid a copy for him to sign and his card on the counter. “We could go to Olney. It’s closer.”

Lucy piled six orange jackets on the counter. “And the ride is more romantic.”

His eyes locked with hers. “You choose the road we take.”

“Can’t beat a deal like that, Lizzy.” Lucy laughed.

Toby leaned across the counter and kissed her on the tip of the nose. “See you tonight.”