Obsessed in Oregon by Marlene Bierworth

Author:Marlene Bierworth [Bierworth, Marlene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-06-16T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Jamie’s head was spinning, and not just from twirling the Texan party-girl around in circles. Her voice pierced his ears with high intensity, and on occasion, she snorted when she laughed. On the brighter side, he had to admit, that he enjoyed her tales of life on the ranch back home and her refreshing perspective of Oregon City, the land west of the mountains that he called home.

The once-level ground beneath them had started to furrow from their four feet kicking up the dust for so long. The fiddler in the band was feeling energetic, and he played more fast tunes than slow – not that Jamie wanted slow either. Angelica tended to cling to his neck, causing him all levels of discomfort, including breaking out in a cold sweat. Her perfume assaulted his nostrils, and if it weren’t for the possibility of making Tariana jealous, he’d pawn the Texan off on the eager line of gents watching their every move.

He finally pushed back from her embrace and said, “I’m ready for a cold drink. How about you?”

“That’s a marvellous idea, James.” He hated how she persisted in calling him by his Christian name. James was his father. He liked the way Jamie sounded outdoorsy and relaxed, which was more like his personality.

“Wish you’d call me Jamie. All the folks hereabouts do.”

“My parents would be appalled. Nicknames are for the common riff-raff.”

“Who do you think you’ve been dancing with all afternoon?”

“You might have a bit of riff-raff in you, but you are far from common,” she said, fanning her flushed face. Jamie wondered if girls could muster up that redness on a whim.

He scooped some punch into a tumbler with a ladle and handed her the drink. “How long are you visiting your cousin, Miss Scinch?”

“Not sure. Mama wanted me to see another part of this great country before I settled into marital bliss with Clifford J. Parksview, and then I’m guaranteed wealth and prestige for the rest of my life.” Her voice cracked, and Jamie wondered if her future plans were enough to provide her with the happiness she craved.

The prospect of the Texas-tart belonging to someone else sent waves of relief through Jamie.

“You’re promised to another?” Jamie asked.

“I suppose,” she said as she shimmied closer, “but he is a long way from here. I shouldn’t worry about him if I were you.”

“Yes.” A sudden idea jumped into his head like a playful kitten on an unsuspecting ball of yarn. Would Angelica be willing to toy with him enough to make Tariana jealous? It could be easily done, and it would, perhaps, open her eyes to notice him, the boy next door whose heart she held without even knowing it. Friends can also be lovers. It had been done successfully for generations. He thought of the recent fiasco with Michael and endeavored to toss the idea to the wind.

“What is that mischievous glint I see lurking behind those big brown eyes? Pray tell – I am always up for a little fun.

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