Harlequin Love Inspired March 2019, Box Set 2 of 2 by Marie E. Bast

Author:Marie E. Bast
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

“No, thank you.” Hannah opened a kitchen drawer and searched through the papers. She pulled out the drawer itself, just in case something had fallen behind. “I think the Spring Social is a fine idea. You two go and have fun. I’m not interested.”

“Now, Hannah, don’t you want to hear me play the fiddle?” Dutch asked.

“Hmm?” She turned and met Dutch’s gaze. The bowlegged wrangler was all spruced up in a starched white Western shirt with pearl buttons. He wore a silver trophy buckle with his black Levi’s.

Hannah smiled and reached out to straighten his black-and-turquoise bolo necktie. “You look so handsome.”

The cowboy blushed bright crimson and shook his head. “There’s no talking sense to her. I’m gonna wait in the truck.”

Hannah glanced around the room and then stepped to the other side of the kitchen to inspect the small stack of cookbooks that she had brought along from Missouri. She carefully flipped through the pages of each book.

“Emma and Lucy have a babysitter who is happy to watch Clementine, too,” Rue said. “You have plenty of time to get ready. It doesn’t start until dusk. Dutch and I are going early so I can help him set up. His ribs are still sore.”

“Poor Dutch.” Hannah raised her head. Rue also wore a white Western shirt, hers paired with a long denim skirt and square-toed brown boots with a wing design. Silver and turquoise bangle bracelets adorned her wrists.

“Rue, you look amazing as well. Love those boots. What do you call them?”

“Ariat. They’re about a couple hundred years old, like me. What about the parade tomorrow?” Rue asked, undeterred by the flattery.

“Clementine has already wheedled Tripp into taking us to the parade. We’ll be there.” Whether I like it or not, she mentally added.

“I hate leaving you all alone.”

“I’m not alone. My daughter is here.”

“That little girl fell asleep in the middle of dinner,” Rue said. “Why, her face was nearly in the spaghetti.” The older woman’s face softened and she offered a musing smile, her affection for the five-year-old obvious.

“Kindergarten is tough work,” Hannah said with a laugh. She placed her hand on Rue’s arm. “Please, stop worrying about me. I’d be absolutely miserable at a dance. I’ve never been one for that sort of thing.”

Hannah had her fill of parties growing up. Debutante balls, soirees, and receptions were the norm at her grandmother’s sprawling estate. Unlike her granddaughter, the CEO of Bryant Oil thrived on the constant social events.

She smiled as she glanced down at her T-shirt, cutoffs and flip-flops. It had been a long time since she’d worn a designer dress or had her hair and nails done and she didn’t miss any of that world.

A knock at the back door had both Rue and Hannah turning.

Tripp Walker stood on the porch with his hat in his hand.

“Come on in, Tripp,” Rue said.

The cowboy stepped inside, wearing his usual work uniform of faded Levi’s and a plaid Western shirt rolled up to the elbows.

“Tripp isn’t going to the social, either.

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