The Cowboy Lassoes a Bride by Kate Pearce (free ebook reader txt) 📕

“Yes, of course. We pride ourselves on our quick turnaround. We can alter any of them,” Janet said. “Why don’t you get changed, and I’ll make sure I’ve got all the measurements accurately recorded.”

* * *

“This getting married is hard,” Sam complained to HW as he sat next to her on her couch in her apartment. He’d helped her clean out her guest bedroom, and they were both pleasantly tired from their exertions.

“I hadn’t noticed,” HW said gloomily. “Every time I ask if I can help organize something, they all tell me not to worry my pretty little head about it.”

“Lucky you.” Sam poked him in the ribs. “I’ve had to try on millions of dresses and have a makeup and hair consultation of all things, and talk to Daisy about my flowers. . . .” She sighed. “All you have to do is pick out a new shirt and turn up.”

“It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it,” HW agreed.

“So there’s no excuse for you not to be there, right?” Sam asked.

“Don’t worry.” HW kissed the top of her head. “I can’t wait. No more creeping around.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and nuzzled her throat. “You, in my bed, finally, and legally.”

Sam allowed herself to be thoroughly kissed and reciprocated in kind. When HW slid his hand up inside her T-shirt, she drew back.

“None of that, remember? We agreed.”

HW groaned but kept his palm flat against her skin. “You sure?”

“Yes.” Sam firmly removed his hand. “It’s only a couple of days now.” She kissed his nose. “Is Ry taking you out for your bachelor party?”

“Apparently so.” HW shrugged. “I have no idea what he’s got planned, but he and BB have been grinning and whispering about it all week.”

“You behave yourself, okay?” Sam met his amused golden gaze.

“Me? You’re going out with Nancy,” HW pointed out. “Make sure you have your phone with you, and remember the name of Chase’s hotshot lawyer.”

“Will do.” She kissed his mouth and then got off the couch. “Speaking of which, I’d better get ready. Nancy said to meet her at the bar at six, and Cam’s due in at five.”

She shoved her horny beau out the door, had a quick shower, and was ready to greet her bestie, Cam, when she finally arrived after getting lost a few times driving down from Sacramento. Cam had never had much of a sense of direction, and was deeply suspicious of her car’s navigation system, which she called Agnes, and swore was trying to kill her.

Cam had majored in psychology, and then went on to become a pediatrician. She’d helped Sam through the worst of her PTSD after the bomb blast killed the rest of her team, and had ended up becoming a good friend. She was dark-haired like Sam, but way more petite, and totally put together in a way Sam would never be.

“I swear that Agnes was trying to send me to some place called Morgansville about four miles away from here.” Cam sipped her coffee and sat on the side of the bed. “She insisted she was right, so I had to turn her off, and work it out for myself.”

“There is an abandoned ghost town called Morgansville up on the ranch, so she wasn’t far off,” Sam said.

Cam shuddered. “Imagine if I’d ended up there. I’d probably have turned around and run all the way home.”

“It is pretty spooky,” Sam agreed. “Do you think you’ll be okay coming out again so soon? We’re supposed to be meeting Yvonne and the gang at six.”

Cam glanced at her watch. “Give me a few minutes to take a shower and unpack, and I’ll be right with you. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

Sam put on a red Morgan Ranch T-shirt, her fancy red boots, and her favorite brown cowboy hat. She’d left her black hair to curl by itself, and even put on mascara and lipstick. Cam also wore jeans, but her boots had stiletto heels and her tight green T-shirt had Yes, I am a Genius, ask me anything on it. She’d met the rest of the ladies on her previous visits to Morgantown, so Sam wasn’t worried that she’d feel left out.

As she opened the front door, Cam turned and took a picture of Sam with her phone.

“Why are you doing that?” Sam asked suspiciously.

“Just in case we lose you somewhere tonight.” Cam winked. “Or for the WANTED posters.”

“So not funny,” Sam grumbled as they went down to the first floor. She pointed at the health center that took up all the ground-floor level. “You could work right here and rent my place after I go live on the ranch.”

“That’s a short commute.” Cam studied the closed door. “Are the staff nice?”

“Dr. Tio is awesome, and he’s young, hot, and single.”

“Sounds perfect.” Cam grinned at her. “Maybe after the wedding you can introduce me to him.”

“He’ll be there so I’ll definitely do it,” Sam agreed.

They walked out of the building and along Main Street to the corner where the Red Dragon Bar was situated. Sam stopped to stare at the endless length of a stretch limo that took up half the row of shops. The car was metallic blue and had flashing neon strip lights around all the windows.

Cam grabbed her arm. “Is that for us? Cool!”

“Hey, Sam!” Nancy appeared beside a guy in a peaked cap and waved enthusiastically. “Come and meet Ian, our driver! He’s originally from Scotland and he has the best accent!”

Nancy wore a metallic dress, thigh-high silver boots, and had dyed her hair to match her outfit. All the other ladies had gone for skirts, dresses, or tight pants, and for a second Sam wondered if she was underdressed. It didn’t last long. She was happy and with her friends, and that was the most important thing.

Yvonne came over to hug her and Cam. She wore a chic black dress and a beautiful chunky, scarlet,