“No. I wish you’d throw that thing in the ocean.”
“You and my dad both. But I’m not giving it up. Not for anyone.”
Chapter Four
Lucky Cowboy has a laid-back vibe to it, and the sounds of live music fill the back half of the bar. As I stand inside the doorway and look around, I freeze when I see the number of people. I’m not a huge fan of crowds, and I strain to find Jamie Beth. I spot her in a corner booth with a few of her work friends I’ve met before, and I hurry over.
“Mia!” Jamie’s red hair is piled up on her head in a cute bun-thing, and she jumps out of the booth to hug me. “Let’s go talk at the bar. It’s quieter up there.”
Jamie orders a shot of tequila, and I get a beer. I let Jamie complain about her day for over five minutes, including her usual grievance.
“Why do I live in Montana?” she says with a wide arc of her arm around the distinctly western bar. “Cowboy hats are everywhere! Do you know how hard it is to find a guy in town who’snota cowboy? Mulligan’s is the same way.”
I hold up a hand. “Your boss does sound like an ass, I’m so sorry you hate your job, and therearea lot of cowboy hats in this bar.” I clear my throat. “I learned something today. It’s…not great. You want to hear?”
Jamie’s green eyes grow round. “You aren’t my best friend since we were in diapers for nothing. You know I love a good piece of news. What is it?”
“I have to find a husband stat.”
She bursts out laughing. When I don’t join her, she gasps.
“Wait, you’re serious? But you don’t even like dating! Why do you need to get married? And we’re not that old…are we? You’re only thirty-two. If you want to marry someone, you’ve got time, honey. No need to force anything.”
“Not according to my father.”
“What?” She makes a face. “What’s your dad got to do with this conversation? What am I missing?”
“Everything.” I proceed to fill her in.
When I’ve finished, she’s bouncing up and down on her bar stool. “You’re going to marry first!”
“So not the point,” I say.
“I know. And we’ll get to the heart of this in a second. But remember when we were nine and we made that bet? I bet you a horse that you’d marry first. So, on your wedding day, you have to gift me one of your horses.”
I shake my head. “You know that my dad sold the ranch after my mom passed away.”
“He sold it to your mom’s brother, Ned. All the horses are still technically in your family. I want Sprinkles.” She claps her hands like she’s still nine years old.
I kiss her cheek. “I love you, JB. But you aren’t getting Sprinkles. She’s old and set in her ways, and she’s never leaving Matilda Ranch.”
“Darn. The only things I like about Montana are the horses and the big sky.”
“You used to like cowboys if I recall,” I tease her.
“Shut up. We’re not talking about the past. This is the present, and I’m in a cowboy-free zone.” She taps the ring finger of my left hand. “What are you going to do about your problem? I’m assuming you’re planning to see it through.”
“Of course I am. I just need to find someone willing to go through it with me.”
Jamie sweeps her arm around the room. “You’ve got a bar full of willing single men here. Just bat those gorgeous baby blues, sister.”
“Right. I’m not picking up a stranger in a bar.”
“But you’re rocking the hot corporate look as usual. That skirt highlights your legs.”
“Excuse me.” A cute guy—without a cowboy hat on—walks up to us. He grins at Jamie Beth. “Would you like to dance?” He gestures to the makeshift dance floor over by the live music stage.
Jamie turns to me. She’s a good friend—the best—and she won’t leave me here alone if I’m not okay.
