True-Blue Cowboy - Vicki Lewis Thompson Page 0,13
about his haircut, but usually he put himself in her hands and let her tackle the job as she saw fit.
The dynamic had flipped tonight. She was in his world and he took the lead. Fine with her. She was somewhat in awe of him after that daredevil ride and still shaky from the adrenaline rush of the auction.
She and her friends had been such bachelor auction innocents. Ben Malone’s dazzling display of horsemanship had been their first clue they were about to be blown away by a lineup of sexy cowboys. When Jared had barreled through those double doors, Beth had been toast.
She had done no better, losing all restraint when Nick had charged into the arena on a flashy palomino. She hadn’t talked to Fiona yet, but quite likely she’d also burned through her limit to win Leo.
She didn’t regret a thing. She’d had a blast competing for Nick and shutting out the wannabe bidders. Now she’d get her attic emptied, her rocks dug up, and maybe a waterfall built.
She’d also have fun partying with Nick tonight, and in this crowd, being with him was a plus. He had the respect and, in many cases, the love of the folks involved in the fundraiser. As the Winners’ Circle filled with participants and supporters, he introduced her to those she hadn’t met, mainly anyone who’d driven up from Eagles Nest.
CJ and Isabel were there, too. They’d booked appointments at the salon separately in the past couple of months, but Eva hadn’t seen them together since Isabel had moved to Apple Grove. CJ clearly was besotted. He’d never looked at her the way he was looking at his fiancée.
To think she’d pegged him as a candidate for a casual fling—a carefree, guitar playing cowboy who’d keep it light and breezy. But this was the real CJ. Maybe she was slightly jealous of Isabel for snagging such a cutie-pie, but she wouldn’t want to be in Isabel’s boots, pregnant and planning her wedding.
When everyone headed up to Ed’s house for what Ellie Mae called the after-party, Nick escorted her, his hand resting lightly against the small of her back. She’d touched him often during his hair appointments. Had he ever touched her?
Not on purpose. Her inclination to give clients a friendly pat on the shoulder didn’t go both ways, did it? But Nick wasn’t a client tonight and he’d underlined that fact with a gesture that signaled she was with him.
Ellie Mae led the procession as Ed’s impressive house loomed ahead. Judging from the exterior, a combination of native stone and rough-hewn wood, it would live up to its reputation.
Ed had preceded them, and she opened the front door, a thick slab of carved wood. Rainbows of light spilled onto the porch from stained glass windows on either side of the door. They were shaped like a clover leaf with the initials EJV centered in each.
Nick pointed to them. “That’s the outline of a barrel-racing course.”
“Whoa. Subtle. I wouldn’t have picked up on it.”
Ellie Mae mounted the stone steps. “Edna Jane, you have done very well for yourself.”
Ed laughed. “Thanks, Ellie Mae.”
“When can I move in?”
“Anytime, Ellie Mae.” Ed didn’t bat an eye. “Happy to have you.”
“Just kidding! I would never leave Eagles Nest. But I might be persuaded to visit you now and then.”
“Your room will be waiting.”
“Good. I’ll make sure to check it out before I leave tonight.” She took the final step to the porch and turned. “Get a move on, people! Time to par-tay!”
Eva followed the group up the steps and through the ginormous front door. Stepping aside to let others through, she paused to gape.
A massive rock fireplace with a gnarled wood mantle contrasted with glittering crystal chandeliers hanging from peeled-log beams. Groupings of brightly colored furniture broke up the expanse of Ed’s living room, inviting cozy chats. Western art decorated the walls.
“Nick, this is magnificent.”
He leaned closer. “Wait until you taste the food.”
“Looking forward to it.” His comment made her smile. By the end of his first appointment, she’d figured out that eating was his favorite pastime.
No wonder he was excited about a party at Ed’s. Food stations sat at convenient points around the room—fruit and cheese on one table, salads on one nearby, cold cuts on another, warm entrees in chafing dishes next to it and a dazzling array of desserts on yet another table. A bar was set up in a far corner.
She glanced up at Nick. “This must be your idea of