We all scoot over to make room for her.She seems like a sweet girl.
Cleary's eyes widen and she smiles."Seriously?"She scoots into the booth next to us.
"We'd be happy to sign.Sorry if I'm the token spokesperson," Paige says."Most writers are introverts and actually pretty shy around people.I have two younger brothers so I can't afford to be shy."She rolls her big blue eyes.
The younger woman starts to pull books out of her bag, and sure enough, she has copies of all our books.
"Oh, this is one of my favorites!"I say, holding up a copy of one of Zoey's books."I loved it so much."
"Me too!"Cleary gushes, excitement firing in her eyes.
"So you're from around here," Paige says."Would you be able to help me find somewhere I could camp?I'm doing research for an upcoming book, and I just need a small patch of land where I can set up a little tent.I like to truly experience the things my characters would experience."
Mina chokes on a swallow of her drink and the rest of the girls try to swallow their laughs.
Cleary smiles widely."I think I know just the spot.My older brothers own a ton of property around here."She rolls her eyes as if she commiserates with Paige about brothers.
I know I do.My older brother, Rhys, is a detective in Washington.I love him to death, but he drives me crazy!He's so overprotective.He would lose his mind if he knew I was going to spy on a cowboy I've only ever spoken with via email.Come to think of it, he'd lose his mind if he knew there was a cowboy, period.
Mina is right though, as much as I hate to admit it.I know nothing about the things I write.Not about cowboys or sex, not really.I'mnotgiving up my V-Card to just anyone, but I came here to learn about cowboys.It's time to strap on my big girl panties and grab that bull by the horn.
Tomorrow, I'm going to see what a "real cowboy" does.
* * *
"What are you doing?"I ask Paige, ducking underneath a tree limb.
"Camping.You?"
"You're camping?Already?"I stop walking and blink, surprised.She really does move fast when she sets her mind to something.It's honestly impressive.It's barely even nine in the morning.I figured she'd still be in bed, nursing a hangover like everyone else.
"Yep.Cleary found me a spot, so I set out first thing this morning.What are you doing?"
"Hiking."
"Hold the phone," Paige says, her shock rippling down the line."You're hiking?Is this one of those things where I'm supposed to call 911 because someone abducted you and you're really asking for help?"
"What?"I laugh, startling a bluebird into flight.It squawks indignantly as it wings into the air in search of safety.I'm a little surprised it hasn't already flown off in search of warmer digs.It's supposed to snow later today."No.I just decided to give this outdoors thing one more try."
"Uh-huh.We are so talking about this when I get back."
"Whatever," I mumble, my cheeks red even though she can't see me through the phone.Having a guilty conscience is exhausting.Everything shows on my face."Have fun camping.Don't die."
"Have fun hiking," she sing-songs."I want details!"
I hang up on her before she can tease me more.It's way too early and I'm hungover.Plus, I don't want to confess that I'm really going to spy on Cord.Hiking sounds less insane thanI'm trooping through the woods to spy on a cowboy I think I'm obsessed with.I already almost chickened out twice this morning, mostly because it's cold out and my bed is nice and toasty.And also because jail sounds less appealing every time I think about it.
Also, I'm not very stealthy.I had the Uber drop me off about a mile from the ranch.I thought it would be less conspicuous that way.The driver thought I was a crazy person, asking to be dropped off in the middle of nowhere, but I shoved a bunch of cash at him and swore him to secrecy.Now, I'm hiking through the woods that run adjacent to Cord's property.
If they haven't already heard me coming, it'll be a miracle.The movies make sneaking look easy.It's not.I've tripped over every branch, root, and stick in the general vicinity, and got my boot stuck in the mud twice.My mind instantly flashed back to all those childhood fears of quicksand.
This is why the outdoors and I don't get along.If anyone were going to die in a freak quicksand accident, it would be me.It's far safer to stay inside where things like quicksand and poison ivy and furry caterpillars and nope ropes and flying cockroaches aren't supposed to exist.
I lean against a tree and fire off a quick text to Emmy, letting her know that I'm out exploring near the Decker ranch.That way, if I die out here, at least someone at the resort knows to send a search party.Paige probably won't be back for a day or two, so she won't know to send help until then.Especially if she loses cell signal.I'd really like to not die in the woods because I fell in a hole and froze to death waiting to be rescued.
Once I've texted Emmy, I shove my phone back into my pocket and set out again, placing my feet carefully to avoid any pitfalls.Within five minutes, I've tripped twice, tearing the pocket of my jacket and soaking the leg of my pants.Thirty seconds later, my boot tangles in a root.My arms windmill wildly as I try to keep myself upright, but it's no use.The root snaps, releasing its hold on my boot just in time to throw me completely off balance.
I fall face first over a downed log, landing in a pile of damp leaves.
