Sweet on the Cowgirl by Rose Ross Zediker

Author:Rose Ross Zediker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

“We have to tell the truth and sign this contract.” The paper rustled under the tremble of Laura’s hand. “Now.”

The firmness in her voice finally triggered a movement from her father. He lowered the newspaper. His aggravated expression told her he didn’t appreciate her commanding tone. Pete flashed a wary-eyed look in her direction. She didn’t heed her brother’s warning. She stood her ground in front of her father, the coffee table the only barrier between them.

The past eighteen hours had been the longest of her life with her emotions jumping from worry to fear to anger to shame for the secret they were keeping from Guy and the world. He had every right to wonder why their headlining act also performed small comedic acts. Did spectators wonder the same thing during a show? Had Guy seen through their sham?

Add to that Clifford’s savvy ability to awe a crowd, which now included Guy, with his performance. Clifford’s hunger for an endorsement contract was so strong, Laura knew he’d stop at nothing to get one.

“I don’t want to lose this contract to Clifford.” She shook the papers at her father.

“Calm down, Laura.” Her father snapped his newspaper to attention before returning it to its original folds. “I spoke with Guy about Pete’s involvement in the show and assured him if we signed the contract the only performing Pete would do at our show is the Buckskin Jones act.”

A low growl hummed from the back of her throat. Pete didn’t perform as Buckskin Jones. “Are you hiring someone to replace Pete for the comedic routines?”

“No, I’m not. We can’t afford it. If we sign the contract, Guy will return to the city and Papa Fizzy’s will be none the wiser.”

“I don’t know, Pop. We’re already in pretty deep with Laura performing the trick riding and me greeting spectators after the shows. It’s a wonder someone hasn’t noticed the subtle differences.” Pete nervously ran his palms up and down his thigh, swishing the stiff denim of his jeans.

Laura flashed him a smile. It felt good to have someone in her corner. She knew Pete didn’t care for the ruse any more than she did. “Clifford might have already picked up on those differences. He’s always winking and suggesting he knows who really performs the Buckskin Jones routine.”

“Clifford doesn’t know anything of the sort. He’s just trying to get your feminine attention.” Her dad tossed the folded newspaper at the coffee table. It slid across the top and teetered for a second but didn’t fall.

Laura exaggerated an eye roll. “Guy needs to see my act so he knows how much better I am than Clifford.” Laura strode into her bedroom, ignoring the burning pain in her calf with every determined step. She grabbed her outfit from behind the clothes in her closet and returned to the living room of their suite.

“He needs to see me perform my riding routine wearing this.” She teetered a hanger on two fingers, holding her fringed red leather riding skirt with matching vest and white satin blouse for her father to see.

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