Page 39 of Dusty Spur Ranch Cowboys

“The mayor stressed yet?”

Clint grins. “She started stressing in February.”

“Then everything’s on schedule.”

That earns another laugh.

The diner door opens behind me, but I barely notice. People are constantly coming and going through this place.

Then Clint’s expression changes.

I don’t even need to turn around; my body beats my brain to it.

Arizona.

I catch her reflection in the front window before I look directly at her. Copper red hair, denim shorts, boots, and one of those fringed jackets she somehow manages to pull off without looking ridiculous.

No guitar today.

That feels strange. Like seeing Willy without a smartass comment loaded and ready.

Arizona pushes her sunglasses onto her head and smiles at Betty Lou behind the counter. Within thirty seconds she’s already chatting like she’s been here for years instead of days.

Some people spend decades trying to fit into a town. Arizona walks into a room and somehow convinces everybody she belongs there.

I focus on my burger.

Unfortunately, burgers don’t do much to stop a man from noticing a woman.

Arizona’s laughing at something Betty Lou says, and every few minutes my attention drifts in her direction before I drag it back where it belongs.

It’s ridiculous; we spent one night together. Days have passed since then, I should’ve moved on by now.

Instead, I can still picture her climbing out of my truck with that satisfied grin on her face. Still remember the way she looked at me afterward, like she knew exactly how badly she was going to stick in my head.

Across the table, Clint makes a noise that puts me on guard. It’s the same sound Charlie makes when he’s about to get into trouble.

I glance up.

Clint’s watching me over the rim of his coffee mug with the expression of a man who’s just discovered free entertainment.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“That look says otherwise.”

His grin widens. “I was just counting.”

I already don’t like where this is going. “Counting what?”

“The number of times you’ve checked to make sure Arizona’s still standing over there.”

I shake my head. “You need a hobby.”

“I’ve got hobbies. Dakota says I have too many hobbies.”

“Then pay attention to one of those.”