Page 46 of Falling for the Cowgirl

“Greta?”

“Hmm?”

Ivy squeezed her eyes closed. Even working the rest of the summer for Greta, she’d never save up enough for the land, not without the winnings from the cowhand contests. But she had to do it for Jericho. To clear his name so her brothers wouldn’t be mad at him and would hire him back.

“I’ve been joining in the contests as Buster Bliss.” She spoke the words in a rush, waiting for Greta’s gasp.

But Greta only shifted and wrapped an arm around Ivy’s shoulder. “I know.”

Ivy peeked sideways.

Greta’s silvery blue eyes were filled with understanding and love.

“How’d you figure it out?”

“Astrid recognized you during the Roman-style race. She chased you down and then came and told us all about it and that you were hiding out in the church.”

“Astrid’s got a mouth bigger than a canyon.” A burst of betrayal stung Ivy. Even though she was tempted to give Astrid a piece of her mind, Ivy had more important things to do. “Flynn and Wyatt are accusing Jericho of using me.”

Greta squeezed her shoulder. “You can’t blame them, canyou? Finding their baby sister here like this is pretty hard on them.”

“Jericho’s not at fault, though. I was getting changed back into my womanly clothes, and he was just helping me get unstuck from—” She nodded at the linen strip still lying discarded on the floor.

Greta was silent for several heartbeats as if trying to figure out how to proceed.

“I know we shouldn’t have been kissing,” Ivy added. “But it was the first time, and it’ll be the last.”

“So you haven’t been—well, you haven’t shared other intimacies with him yet?”

A flush hit Ivy in the face. “No how, no way. I’m not a loose woman, and he ain’t that kind of fella.”

Greta’s face was beginning to flush now too. “Of course you’re not. And of course he’s a fine man. But even two God-fearing and very well-meaning people can get carried away, especially if they’re not careful about setting limits on the displays of their affection for one another before marriage.”

“Did you and Wyatt get carried away?”

“Ours was an unusual situation. We did things backward—got married first and then let our love develop later.”

Ivy had always thought their marriage of convenience was strange, not anything she’d want to do. But thankfully for them it had worked out. “Flynn and Linnea kissed and didn’t get carried away.”

“True.” Greta rubbed her free hand over her abdomen, something she did often, as if she were already caressing her babe and assuring it of her love. “And I know you and Jericho can keep from getting carried away too—”

“There’s no me and Jericho.”

She shrugged. “If ... if you’re ever tempted to kiss him again, just remember that it’s best if you refrain from pouring fuel on the passion.”

Ivy had the sudden image of Jericho reaching for her, his eyes radiating with a blazing blue heat like the hottest embers. When he’d circled his hand around her and touched her, it set something ablaze inside her. Even now, just thinking about it sent warmth spiraling low within her belly.

Yep. She could see how the heat would spread and grow if they kept on fueling the fire.

“And, Ivy?” Greta ducked her head.

“What?”

“Next time, stay fully clothed.”

Ivy barked out a laugh. “Who told you to say that? Wyatt or Flynn?”

Greta smiled sheepishly. “Both.”