Take the Reins (A Cowboy's Promise #2) - Megan Squires Page 0,39

couple?”

“A fake couple. It’s complicated. But I would appreciate your discretion concerning all of this. It’s a long story involving my parents, the ranch, and my future.”

There was little chance any of this made sense, but it was all he could disclose at the moment. He just hoped it would appease Bridgette’s curiosity and tide her over temporarily.

She chewed on her bottom lip and then finally nodded. “Okay. I can respect that. But please don’t spin the story to make me out to be the girl who’s been wronged. According to Josie, you two have been together a couple of years and that would completely overlap with our relationship. I’m not sure how you’re going to reconcile that.”

“Already have. Everyone just thinks she’s you.”

Bridgette’s eyes turned huge. “That woman over there cannot be mistaken for me. Not to be rude or anything, but we’re clearly nothing alike.”

“You don’t have to be anything alike. My family doesn’t really have any information about you to compare her to.”

“Wow, Seth.” Bridgette looked offended. “I’m not sure how I should take that. In the entire time we were together, you never shared anything about me with your family? Your friends?”

“Not anything important. But that’s not because you weren’t important, Bridge. I just like to keep my relationships to myself. You know that.”

She fell silent a beat, then conceded, “I do know that, and truth be told, it’s something I greatly appreciated when we were dating. But now…I don’t know. It just feels a little like I’ve been erased. Like we’ve been erased.” She grabbed onto his hand and pulled him so close he could feel the warmth of her breath escape her mouth. “Breaking up with you messed me up, Seth. I thought we had a future, you know? And then to find out we were never on the same page? That hurt.” She gave a squeeze before she released his hand and took a step back. “Just be careful with her, okay? I know what it’s like to have my heart broken by you and I wouldn’t wish that upon any girlfriend. Real or not.”

14

Josie

You should call Mom. She’s been asking about you.

Josie reread the text from her older sister, Maren. Funny how she could hear the critical tone so clearly in those typed words.

Will do, she punched across her phone screen.

The Friar women used to have a relatively good relationship. But then tragedy struck, along with a lightning storm of lies that hit even harder. It was funny how—in one instant—life itself could completely upend. It had been years since her father’s death, but it was still the marker of things. Everything that came before was now washed in the haze of deceit. Everything after…well, it was like starting over.

You up for an adventure?

Josie had to do a double take. This text wasn’t from Maren.

She smiled as she read Seth’s name at the top of her screen.

Depends what your idea of adventure is.

She didn’t like the way her heart picked up speed as she impatiently watched the typing bubbles pulse on the screen.

You okay to ride a horse with that cast?

She snorted. I could ride a horse with no hands if I had to. It’s all in the legs. You should know that, cowboy.

And butt and thighs, but she left out those body parts. Just thinking them in regards to Seth made her face flush with warmth.

The bubbles on the screen were their own kind of unique torture. When the phone finally vibrated with a reply, she jumped so suddenly the cell almost flew right out of her hand.

I don’t have a response to that.

More text bubbles…

Meet me at the barn in ten.

Josie didn’t need all ten minutes. She was there in five.

“Looks like you’re thinking what I’m thinking.” He tugged on the sleeve of his rain jacket that matched Josie’s, all the way down to the olive green, camouflage print. “I can feel the storm coming.”

“Same.”

It was in the whipping of the wind that forced Josie to secure her hair back with a rubber band. It was in the petrichor scent of the air, that musky, earthy aroma that permeated the damp atmosphere before the clouds opened up and the deluge began. It was in the slight ache of her bones that knew something was shifting in the climate around her. It was everywhere.

“You can ride Sally, my mom’s broodmare. She’s a good old gal. I’ve got her all tacked up and ready to go for you.” Seth handed off the