Page 91 of A Cowboy's Bride

Declan was on the dance floor. He never danced more than once with anyone, but he was in high demand because he apparently actually knew how to lead. Plus some nonsense about him being agolden retrieverkept being mentioned, which sent Petra’s friends into gales of laughter.

Jake figured everybody needed to get the fuck off social media for a while.

He couldn’t help it. He took a quick scan around the area, looking for the other women who inevitably appeared when Petra was around. No sign of them, and he wasn’t sure if he was happy or annoyed that he was considering if he was happy or annoyed they weren’t there.

Petra shook him by the sleeve and leaned in close. “Who are you looking for?” she shouted.

“An ear doctor,” Jake told her.

She grinned. “Good one.Mydoctor isn’t here tonight. She offered to work a shift at emergency in Diamond Valley. But Tansy’s around somewhere.”

Jake nodded, forcing a smile as he gave her a thumbs-up.

It shouldn’t happen. That flare of excitement in his belly at the mere mention of that woman’s name.

Of course, the next second he saw her, twirling on the dance floor in the arms of a short cowboy who was unsuccessfully trying to grow a beard. It almost hurt to watch them, but Tansy held her smile intact in spite of the number of times she was jerked in a new direction as her partner failed to keep them from colliding with others on the full floor.

A waitress brought Jake his beer and he firmly turned his back on the dancers and gave the girl a twenty along with a wink. “Keep them coming.”

She sparkled then flitted away.

He spent the next hour pretty much doing that. Smiling, and drinking, and nodding, and wondering over and over why he was so damn attracted tothatwoman.

The music broke off briefly and a deep voice boomed over the speakers. “It’s time, folks. Join me as we get ready for the final stroke of midnight and welcome in the new year.”

The countdown began.

Ten, nine…

Jake found himself twisting on the spot, focusing on the smiling faces around him. Good people who had begun to be more than simply neighbours and acquaintances, but real friends.

Eight.

Seven.

To Jake’s left, his brother Aiden tugged a laughing Petra close, ignored the clock, and planted a huge kiss on her.

Six.

Five.

Jake kept turning and came face-to-face with Tansy. Infuriating, dangerous, confusing Tansy.

Four.

Three.

The cowboy next to Tansy opened his arms as if inviting her in to celebrate the New Year, and Jake lost all sense. He darted forward, nabbed Tansy by the wrist and twirled her straight into his arms.

Two.

One.

“Happy New Year!”

The cry went up from all around them, but all Jake could do was stare into Tansy’s shocked face.

Then he couldn’t see what she was thinking because his lips were on hers and he was kissing her. Thoroughly, and deeply, and it was a damn good thing that they were in the center of a crowded room because she was kissing him back. She clung to his neck and lifted her legs, and the next second she was wrapped around him like a wayward rope on a fence post, and it felt so fucking amazing.