The Rancher's Fake Girlfriend - Leslie North Page 0,60
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EXCERPT
Cal Pierce took a glance around the downtown of Darby Crossing, Texas. The main street was lined with old structures housing the usual array of shops to be found in any ranching town—hardware, bank, Western apparel store, diner, and tavern. His eyes automatically ticked off the architectural details without paying much attention to them. Seemed like a nice enough place, he decided, pulling his truck into a parking space near city hall, but only if a person wanted to live in a small town. Cal didn’t. Small town life made him itchy, restless. Fortunately, he wouldn’t be here long—just long enough to do a favor for an old friend.
When Rafael Alvarez had called on Cal to headline a charity rodeo, he couldn’t refuse. Rafael was a buddy, someone who showed Cal the ropes when he first joined the rodeo circuit. Even though a nasty knee injury made his friend give up roping and riding for a gig teaching high school history in his hometown, they’d kept in touch. And the favor was no problem. He’d even agreed to come in a few weeks early and do promotional work.
Cal got out of his truck and put on his Stetson. The street was surprisingly crowded for midday. He noticed some looks turn his way. Nothing unusual. He was a big enough name on the circuit that people often recognized him. He gave a nod as he passed two men in front of the hardware store, but they only stared at him, one of them dropping the parcel he held.
“Howdy, ma’am.” Cal tipped his hat to an older woman coming out of the diner accompanied by what looked to be her grandchildren. She didn’t return his greeting, but her mouth formed a perfect O of shock.
What was up with this place? Cal wondered. Fans usually called out a friendly greeting, even tried to approach him. They didn’t gape at him like he was a two-headed horse.
Cal tried to shrug it off as he entered the small brick building that housed city hall. It looked like it might have been a one-room schoolhouse long ago since it still had the bell on top. The space now was divided into an entryway and two offices. No one was manning the reception desk, so he dinged the bell that sat on a mat reading “ring for service.”
“Be right there,” a voice called from one of the offices. He heard the squeak of a desk chair, and the click of high heels before a woman appeared in the doorway.
“Hello, I’m Amy Thorne,” she said. “It’s…oh, god.” She placed her hand over her heart and her face went white. When she began to sway, Cal rushed toward her and took her arm, easing her into a nearby chair. He knelt next to her and her gaze met his. Her eyes were the color of Texas bluebonnets, a beautiful contrast with her curly red hair. She was about the prettiest woman he’d seen in a decade, but she was staring at him as if she’d seen a ghost.
“Can I get you something? Glass of water?” Cal offered, unsure of what to do. His eyes dipped to her left hand where she wore a simple gold band. “Call your husband maybe?”
“No.” Her voice was barely a whisper, and she couldn’t seem to take her eyes from his face. She smoothed her hands over her black skirt and finally took her focus off him. “I’ll be fine in a minute. I…must have stood up too quickly.”
“That can get you sometimes,” he said easily and watched the color slowly return to her skin.
“You must be Cal Pierce.” She straightened her posture and smiled at him. It seemed forced, but friendly.
“At your service, ma’am.” He dipped his chin in acknowledgment.
“Please call me Amy,” she said. “Thank you so much for coming. Let’s go into my office and talk about the promo schedule and the event.”
“Sure. Take it easy standing up.” He wanted to offer his arm, but he held back. She seemed a mite skittish, like a newly broken horse.
“I’m fine. Really. If you’ll follow me.” She rose and led the way into an office where she gestured for him to take a seat. “Can I get you a cup of coffee?”
“No, but I appreciate the offer.” He appreciated the way her skirt skimmed her figure, too, and the flex of her calf as