Exactly.“Jo, don’t be so damned stubborn.Let’s go into your office and you can give me a rundown on your financial situation.”
“Nope, nope, nope.”
Emmy Lou appeared in the doorway with a tape in her hand.“Here’sRogue’s Revengeanytime you want to take a peek.I have some others, but it sounded like this was the one you were interested in.”
“Hey, we can watch that!”Jo seized the opportunity.“You really should see one of your—I mean, Brian’s—movies and get an idea of his personal style before you show up at the rodeo and dance on Saturday.”
He couldn’t argue with her reasoning.And he’d be dumb to turn down a chance to sit on the sofa with her and watch a movie.“Okay.We can do that.”
She walked into the living room and opened the oak cabinet that housed the television set.“Sit down, sit down.You’re about to be able to see yourself without hordes of screaming women interfering with your viewing enjoyment.”
“I can hardly wait.”He wouldn’t mind one particular woman interfering, he thought as he sat on the sofa.
After shoving the tape into the VCR, she picked up the remote and started toward the sofa.
Okay.How close would she sit?
At the last minute she veered toward a wing chair.“Maybe I’ll sit over here, for good measure.”
“Hey, Emmy Lou’s right in the kitchen.What could happen?”
“I suppose you’re right.”She sat on the sofa, but put a good three feet between them.
The movie started, and Quinn had to admit it was eerie how much Hastings looked like him, except that he seemed completely at home in a Western setting.“He’s a good rider.”
“You’ll be fine with a little more practice.If all you do is attend that rodeo and dance, you might not ever have to demonstrate your riding to anyone.”
He looked at her.“You mean I tortured my privates for nothing?”
She glanced at his crotch, and her cheeks grew pink.Then she looked at the television screen.“Watch the movie, Quinn.”
He’d rather watch her, but he dutifully turned his head toward the TV.
Emmy Lou appeared in the doorway pulling on a raincoat.“The pot roast’s in the oven, and I have to run into town for a few groceries.”
Jo grabbed the remote and hit the pause button.“Want some company?”
“No, thanks.I’m taking the truck and I need the space for the bags.I’ll be back in a couple of hours.
Quinn’s heart began to pound.A couple of hours.He glanced at Jo.
She got up and moved to the chair.“Just to be on the safe side,” she said.
Quinn didn’t think there was any safe side to this situation.
ChapterThirteen
On her way to the chair, Jo glanced out the window and saw Fred climb in the truck with Emmy Lou.So that’s what Emmy Lou had in mind, Jo thought with a smile.
“What’s going on out there?”Quinn asked.
“Emmy Lou’s taking Fred to town.”
“No wonder she didn’t want you along.”
“Yeah.”Still smiling, Jo sat in the chair and punched the remote to restart the movie.
“But Benny’s still around?”
