Page 37 of Resisting His Charm
“Why would I tell her that? This is Texas. My family owns the largest ranch around these parts and you think we don’t have horses?”
“Imogen wanted to go horseback riding with our cousins. I got her to come here instead, under the assumption I was going to ask you if you had a horse she could ride. I don’t want my sister on a fucking horse. So, no, you don’t have any horses suitable for her to ride,” I explain.
“What happened to the wholemy sister can make her own decisionsthing? Where’d the feminist in you go?”
“Out the window when I think she’s going to do something that could hurt her. She’s never ridden a horse in her life, and animals are unpredictable.”
“You scared of horses, Sammie?” Poppy quirks a single brow at me, as if she finds this fact amusing.
“I’m not scared of anything,” I tell her.
“Except your mama.”
“Well, yeah, I’m not an idiot. Come on. Let’s get this over with, and I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For whatever might come out of my sister’s mouth.” I open the door, and by the time I walk around the car, Poppy is out and laughing at me.
“You were going to open my door, weren’t you?”
“I was.” I nod.
“Like I said, you’re supposed to be a feminist.”
“Doesn’t mean I don’t have manners.” Placing my hand on Poppy’s lower back, I lead her up to the front door. We walk inside and I look around the small space. “Imogen?” I call out.
“Over here,” my sister yells from the back of the house.
I make my way through the hallway, following the sound. “Poppy wants you to come to dinner with her family.”
“Poppy’s here?” My sister’s movements still, and her voice rises slightly in pitch. I stop. I know that voice.
“Wait here,” I tell Poppy, dropping my hand from her back. Before I reach the end of the hall, Imogen is barreling towards me. She’s wiping her hands on a towel that she discards over her shoulder.
“Hey. Did you miss me already?” she asks, her tone much lighter as she throws her arms around my neck and lowers her lips to my ear. “Do not go back there.”
“What happened?”
“One of the soldiers got mouthy with me. I snapped. I don’t know what happened. I just… blinked and then he was dead,” Imogen says.
“What’d he say?” I step back, peering over her shoulder. I can’t see anything from here.
“Does it matter? I didn’t like it. And you’re being rude.” Imogen moves around me. “Hi, you’re obviously Poppy. I’m Imogen. And now I can see why my brother is so besotted with you. You’re absolutely stunning.”
I watch as my sister wraps her arms around Poppy—who has wide,help meeyes that are clearly pleading with me to do something.
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you,” Poppy says when Imogen finally lets go. “Sammie said you were in town, and family dinner issoboring and testosterone-filled with my three cousins. But if you want to, I’d love for you to come along.”
“That sounds lovely. Thank you. I’m just going to get cleaned up real quick. Wait for me out front, Sammie J. I won’t be long.” Imogen walks towards me. “I’ll handle this. Just give me five minutes.”
“Where are the other two?” I ask her.
“Ah… sleeping,” my sister says.
“Sleeping?” I question.
“Yep, they looked tired so I might have suggested they have a nap.” Imogen moves around me again.
