Page 43 of Falling for the Cowgirl

“Was smooching with Linnea a mistake too?”

Flynn released a string of mutters.

Wyatt glanced between his siblings, his brow furrowing. “Let’s quit yammering on about Flynn and focus on the problems right here smacking us in the face.”

“From where I stand, there ain’t any problems.” Ivy lifted her chin. “I’m a grown woman and can kiss anyone I want, including Jericho.”

Protest rose within Jericho. He didn’t want Ivy kissing anyone she wanted—anyone, that is, except for him.

Before he could figure out what to say, Wyatt responded. “You wanna drag your reputation through the mud, Ivy?”

“I don’t care a lick what people think.”

“Rumors are gonna start flying about you being in here kissing Jericho, unshucked and half-naked—”

“I’m not half-naked!”

“You’ve got your top off!” Flynn’s roar silenced Ivy. “And last time you were alone with Jericho, you weren’t wearing your skirt.”

“I told you why—”

“It’s indecent,” Wyatt cut in.

Ivy heaved a sigh.

The tension in Jericho’s body tightened, his cheek hurt from where Flynn had socked him, and one of his eyes was beginning to swell up.

Jericho glanced at Ivy. Should they tell Wyatt and Flynn about her disguise as Buster Bliss? It would be the best way to explain why she hadn’t been wearing her bodice.

Her eyes silently pleaded with him not to spill the truth. The rich, dark brown sucked him back in, right where he’d been when he wanted to kiss her—powerless to resist her.

Besides, with how hard it was for her as a woman to have the same privileges as a man, she trusted that he was on her side, that he wanted to help her. And he couldn’t disappoint her.

Flynn shook his head. “Heaven help me, Ivy. I thought I raised you better than this. But looks like I failed somewhere along the way.”

Hurt flashed across Ivy’s face before anger rolled in to replace it. “This ain’t the first time you’ve told me what a failure I am. Reckon it won’t be the last.”

“Don’t get all fired up,” Wyatt interjected. “That’s not what we’re saying.”

“Then what?”

“Suppose we’re saying it’s time to buckle down and act proper-like.”

Flynn pinned a hard glare on Jericho. “Or maybe it’s time for Jericho to buckle down and marry Ivy.”

Chapter

14

Flynn wanted Jericho to marry her? Ivy’s heart slammed hard against her chest. She couldn’t deny she’d dreamed a time or two—or a few hundred—about marrying Jericho. But she hadn’t considered it anytime recently. Not since he’d left and never looked back.

But here he was. Here they were. And after sharing that kiss with him? Howdy-doody, she was ready for a repeat. Real soon. Just the thought of his fingers pressing against her lower back, his hard chest radiating heat, and his mouth taking possession of hers made her weak in the knees.

No doubt about it. Jericho Bliss was a mighty fine kisser. Mighty fine indeed. She’d shared a kiss with a cowhand now and again over the past few years. But after kissing Jericho, no one and nothing else compared. Not even a little.

She slid a glance his direction. Even with his bruised face and bloody nose, no other man could compare to his ruggedly handsome looks either. Not only that, but he was a good and decent man right down to his bones. He wasconsiderate, conscientious, determined, and hardworking. He had a strong sense of integrity and justice.

Of course, that didn’t mean he was without faults. She’d known him long enough to see every one of his flaws, and he could be headstrong and hard on himself and others.