Page 27 of Take Me Please, Cowboy (The Calhouns & Campbells of Cold Canyon Ranch #1)

By the time they reached their hotel, Rye was ready to call it a night. Josie just laughed at him. “It’s not even six thirty,” she said.

“Which is why I just want to stretch out, watch the news, maybe a show or two, and then sleep.”

Josie shrugged as he closed the door separating the bedroom from the living area. “Suit yourself. Personally, I’m not tired at all.”

He should have recognized the challenge, but he didn’t.

Instead, he assumed she’d pass the evening on her phone, or watching the television in the living room.

Instead, when he emerged from the shower twenty minutes later, he saw she’d sent him a text.

I’ve taken an Uber downtown. Thought I’d see if there was anything interesting happening on Main Street tonight.

Rye tossed his phone onto his bed and swore under his breath. He knew exactly where his beautiful, lively little sister had gone. He’d like to say he was shocked, but he wasn’t. This was exactly the sort of thing Josie did.

He dressed quickly, combed his hair, and drove back downtown. Sure enough, there she was standing in front of the gallery, smiling at him as he approached.

“You took a little longer than I expected,” she said, flashing a teasing grin. “But maybe it was a really long shower.”

He was not in the mood to do this. “Josie, this isn’t cool. I don’t appreciate being manipulated. We are most definitely not going in. Let’s go.”

“You don’t have to go inside, but I want to see who Ansley Campbell is. And I’m interested in her art, purely from a design perspective, of course.”

“Oh, undoubtedly. Next thing you’ll tell me is that you’ll be hanging her art in your future clients’ homes.”

“ If she’s good, yes,” Josie sniffed. “But art is a very personal thing. What some might like might not be others’ taste at all.”

Rye fought to keep his temper reined in.

He adored his little sister. He loved that she was warm, and funny, and full of personality.

He was glad she hadn’t been beaten down by the situation at home, nor was she trying to find someone to rescue her from the situation like Hannah.

“What do you want, Josie? Tell me, so we can get this resolved.”

“I just want to go in and do a little walk around. We don’t have to stay long… ten, fifteen minutes tops?”

He glanced through the window. The turnout was impressive.

Lots of people were milling about and while he couldn’t see Ansley from here, he was certain it would be different once he entered the gallery.

The thing was, he wanted to see Ansley. He very much wanted to see her, but he didn’t think it would have a good result.

He didn’t think he’d leave feeling better about their situation. “Why are you doing this?”

Josie shrugged. “I’m curious. It’s obvious you care for her, and if she’s the right one? Why let her go?” She gave him an almost pitying look before marching up to the front door and entering the art gallery.

*

Rye was the last person Ansley expected to see at the gallery’s cocktail party.

But even worse was seeing him with a very beautiful woman.

For a moment, Ansley couldn’t breathe, feeling as if she’d been punched in the gut.

Overwhelmed by emotion, she stared fixedly at the wall, as if studying one of the other artists’ works, when in reality she was trying to keep it together and slow the dizzying, sickening beat of her heart.

He’d said he was done driving until spring.

He’d said he wasn’t seeing anyone.

He’d said he wouldn’t, couldn’t, get serious with anyone.

And yet here he was on a Thursday night in Bozeman on what looked to be a very cozy date.

Ansley’s eyes stung and she swallowed around a stupid lump in her throat, hurt, and betrayed. She’d trusted him. She’d believed him. But apparently everything he’d told her was a lie. She felt like a fool.

She didn’t want Rye to see her, and she most definitely didn’t want to speak to him.

In a panic, she slipped behind a screen that had been put up by the catering company to hide their prep area.

She smiled apologetically at one of the catering staff who was behind the screen filling a tray with appetizers.

“I just need a second,” Ansley said faintly. “So many people. It’s rather overwhelming.”

The woman in the starched white jacket and black trousers smiled kindly. “I don’t like crowds either, and it’s pretty packed in here tonight. Marica has had a great turnout.” The caterer looked at Ansley more carefully. “But aren’t you one of the artists?”

“Yes, and you’re right, it is a great turnout. I just didn’t expect so many people.”

“Looks like a lot of your pieces have sold. Congratulations.”

Ansley forced a smile. “Thank you. It’s my first real show.”

“And obviously not your last. You should be out there celebrating, not hiding. Go meet your fans.”

There was nothing Ansley could say to that and hanging on to her smile by sheer strength of will, she straightened her shoulders and stepped back into the gallery, only to walk straight into the woman who’d been at Rye’s side just a moments ago.

Ansley froze, heartsick. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, hating how this beautiful night had turned sour so quickly.

But the gorgeous brunette wasn’t going to let Ansley escape. She faced Ansley and smiled. “I’m Josie Calhoun,” she said, extending her hand. “Rye’s youngest sister. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Ansley’s jaw dropped. His sister ?

Relief swept through her, so intense Ansley felt dizzy. “It’s nice to meet you, Josie.” Ansley shook Jose’s hand. “I have to say I’m shocked to see him here,” she said, glancing toward Rye who was making his way toward them. “What brings you to Bozeman?”

“I’m going to be attending Gallatin College next fall, studying interior design, but I’ve been selected for an internship starting in January. I had an interview this afternoon.”

“That’s exciting, congratulations.”

“Thank you. I’m thrilled. I love design, all areas of design, but as you might expect, I have a soft spot for barrier-free design.”

Ansley shook her head, not following. “Why is that?”

“Rye didn’t tell you about Jasper? Our brother has CP, cerebral palsy, and needs a chair—” She broke off, realizing Ansley still didn’t understand.

“He was hurt at birth and doesn’t walk. He’s in a wheelchair but there are a lot of places he can’t go because it’s not accessible, which is what fueled my interest in universal design. ”

Ansley glanced at Rye who was about to join them. “I had no idea.”

“Rye is pretty private,” Josie answered, “and protective. Jasper’s had a hard year. We’ve all been worried—” She broke off as Rye reached their side and gave her brother a dazzling smile. “Rye, look who I found.”

Ansley couldn’t take her eyes off of him. His chiseled features were every bit as handsome as ever, and yet his expression was shuttered. He didn’t look happy, but he also didn’t look upset. He just looked like a stranger.

Josie said something about needing to find the ladies’ room and slipped away, leaving Rye and Ansley alone.

Ansley didn’t know where to look. She didn’t know what to say.

Her heart raced, and she felt a little light-headed.

She should have eaten more today. The glass of champagne on an empty stomach probably wasn’t the best idea. “Hello,” she said huskily.

Rye leaned and dropped a kiss on her cheek. “It’s good to see you.”

His deep voice was both familiar and bittersweet. It took everything within her to remain unmoved. “This is quite a surprise.”

His lips twisted ruefully. “I hadn’t planned on coming, but once Josie saw you were part of tonight’s exhibit—” He broke off, jaw working. “No, I can’t blame this on my sister. I wanted to see you. I wasn’t sure it was a good idea, but here we are.”

“Why wouldn’t it be a good idea?” Ansley asked. “We didn’t part as mortal enemies, did we?”

“No, but it wasn’t an easy goodbye.”

“You blocked my number.”

Dark color suffused his cheekbones. “I couldn’t leave the door open. I didn’t trust myself, not when it came to you.”

She searched his eyes trying to see past his polite veneer. Was all the warmth truly gone? Had he managed to smash all feelings?

“Your sister is quite lovely,” Ansley said, trying to think of something safe for them to discuss. “In every way.”

“Which is another way of saying that she’s nothing like me,” he said, an eyebrow lifting.

Ansley couldn’t repress her smile. “I’m sure you just have different strengths. Yours are just more… manly.” She nodded at his arm. “Did that happen in Idaho?”

He shook his head. “Nope. Eureka. Tumbled off the fire station roof.”

“Sounds awful.”

“Certainly a longer, harder fall than from a horse.”

It was hard to keep her emotions in check when she wanted more, when she longed to feel his lips against her cheek, to smell the clean spice of his aftershave. He was here, so close, but also too far away. “But you’re okay,” she said.

“I’m going to be fine.”

It struck her that maybe they were talking about two different things.

Her eyes burned and she looked away. Josie was standing in front of one of Ansley’s big canvases studying it intently, and Ansley felt another awful pang, wondering how these two worlds had suddenly collided.

This wasn’t what she wanted, and it certainly wasn’t what she needed.

Josie being here was fine, but Rye? She looked up into his face, her gaze meeting his and holding. No, Rye shouldn’t have come.

But as their gazes locked, the connection was still there, just as intense and potent as it always had been.

A traitorous fire flared within her, the heat making her tremble.

She didn’t want to feel anything for him, and yet Rye still undid her, every bit as real and potent as the last time she saw him.

But then, nothing had really changed between them. He was who he was, and she responded to him as she always did. He was still tall and tough, hard and handsome, and intoxicatingly male.