Page 4 of Haunted Cowboy

“Your permanent frown. It wouldn’t hurt to talk to some of the folks. Get to know some of the people from town.”

He looks at me for a long time. And then reaches up to pull the brim of the hat further down over my face. “I’ll take that under consideration.”

I watch as he walks away. I think he might be, by far, the sexiest man alive. I’ve never thought that a man’s ass was anything to comment on. But Liam’s ass looks damn good in his denim jeans. Frick, I must have heatstroke. I’m meant to be all professional and in charge and I can’t get my mind off the sexy, grumpy cowboy. A cowboy who says he doesn’t need anybody.

I just have to get through these next few days. Make sure this is the best Halloween festival this town has ever seen and then I can get out of here. Hopefully without throwing myself at Liam and showing him all the different ways a man can need a woman.

Chapter 5

Liam

“For a guy who was against this festival, you do seem very involved.”

I look over at my brother Spencer. He is the middle child and has always been extra observant about what is going on in everybody's lives. We’re on our horses, on the hill above the Wild West town, looking down over the organized chaos below.

It is amazing to me what Hazel has been able to achieve. What she has pulled together in just a matter of days. The Wild West town has been transformed and marks the entry into the festival. Carnival rides are being set up in the big paddock, as well as stalls, and the hay bale maze that I myself helped put together.

Without looking at Spencer I give a little shrug. “It’s our land. It’s important that we know what’s going on.”

“Hmmm. You’ve been down there every single day, haven’t you? And spending a lot of time with that pretty lady.”

I can hear the grin in Spencer’s voice. I don’t like it. I don’t like him thinking I might have feelings for Hazel. But I do have feelings for her. Feelings of admiration. Look at what she has achieved. And I like her spunk. I’ve watched when people come running up to her with an issue and she handles everything with a calm professionalism that I admire. She does everything with a smile, too. She is friendly with everyone. She has a happy, warmth that people are attracted to. I’ve caught more than one of the men nodding with appreciation when she walks by. Those men get an extra dark scowl from me. I can’t help it. I feel protective about Hazel. She’s a city girl and this place can be dangerous.

“Why don’t you tell her how you feel about her?”

“Spence, why don’t you mind your own business for once.”

“You are my business, brother. Maybe if you had a girlfriend then you wouldn’t be such a grumpy ass to work with all the time.”

That doesn’t deserve an answer. Personally I think there is a difference between grumpy and just taking things seriously. But it’s not worth arguing the point with my brother who rarely takes anything seriously. He has already admitted to me that he was in contact with the town about this whole Halloween thing a long time before I knew about it.

“For your own good.” He’d said, as the reason he had kept it all from me.

“You should ask her out on a date.” My brother is not ready to drop it.

It’s particularly irritating because I have been thinking of asking Hazel out on a date. Maybe a ride out for a picnic by the stream that runs through my property. I can’t deny that I like spending time with her. I like the way that her eyes sparkle with joy and happiness. Her sweet, kissable mouth when she talks. Or the way she never quiets stays still. She always has to be doing something with her hands, she even bounces up and down in her chair when she gets excited, like when she talks about her father’s stall, or her childhood. Or the town, or this project or how much she loves fall and pumpkins spiced lattes. She gets excited about a lot of things.

I knew I was a goner from that first morning I found her hiding behind the bar. And it’s only gotten worse the more time I spend with her. I look forward to seeing her every day. And the nights, the thoughts I’ve had! It’s led to a lot of cold showers.

But she is a city girl. She doesn’t belong here. She will leave. And I’ve been hurt before. I thought I had a future with my ex, Valerie. But country life wasn’t good enough for her. She wanted more. More than I could offer her. And one day she up and left. Left me for life in the city. And not only did she leave, but the town had a great time gossiping about what might have gone wrong between us. It was entertainment to them. Just as it had been with my grandfather building his replica Wild West town. I don’t need to provide anymore gossip for this town. I was happy enough alone before Hazel arrived with her clipboard, her curves and her smiles that makes me want to grab her and kiss her. Her summer scent that makes me think of picnics and lazy days on the porch.

I look over at Spencer. Wondering if I should share with him what I’m feeling. I’ve been so mixed up and tied in knots since Hazel arrived, that I just can’t think straight. But Spencer would likely just make some joke. Our younger brother, Levi, is the only one of us in a relationship. I still can’t believe that Levi finally seems to be settled and happy. Too damn happy for him to understand what I am going through.

Spencer breaks my silence. “If you don’t ask her out, I might ask her myself. She sure is pretty.”

The thought of Spencer, or any man asking out Hazel leaves a burning feeling in my chest. My horse tosses his head in response to my grip tightening on the reins. I look at my brother, my tone is serious. “She’s not available.” Then I turn my horse towards home.

Chapter 6

Hazel

It’s the day of the Halloween festival and the weather could not be more perfect. There was a little rain shower this morning but now it’s a cool afternoon with just enough breeze to set my decorations swaying and spinning. That fall feeling is in the air, where everything feels fresh and crisp. The vendors are set up and everything smells of pumpkins and cinnamon and baked goods. I’ve got my pumpkin spiced latte. I’m dressed in what's become my uniform of jeans, an oversized sweater and boots. It’s really not the place for my business suits and heels and so I quickly adapted a more casual look during this project.

People are starting to file into the Wild West town. We’ve got actors dressed up in old fashioned garb, they are all moving about, interacting with the people. Lights are stung up everywhere between the buildings. Pumpkins and wreaths decorate the windows. Bright orange foil Halloween decor hangs from one stall. Another stall is selling coffee and baked goods. We have a fortune telling gypsy, our museum rooms, the actors, the decorations. It’s the perfect lead up to the carnival at the end of the street.

I was worried people wouldn’t see the work we’ve put into this place. That they might just hurry through to the carnival rides, hay maze , stalls and petting zoo. But they are lingering in the Wild West town. They stop and look in all the windows. Go in and out of the rooms we have open. The jail cell, the doctor's office and the apothecary are all set up as museum pieces and people are eagerly checking it out and talking about how what life must have been like back then. And then they stop in for a drink in the saloon. I don't know much about Liam's grandfather but I think he would have been proud as punch to see all these people enjoying the place. People have dressed up, kids are running around and people are laughing and having fun. It’s perfect.

And, as the afternoon is going so well, it’s time for me to go off and get dressed. I’ve always loved Halloween. It’s so much fun to be someone else for just one night. And tonight, I’m a cowgirl. It’s not so much a costume as a really pretty floral dress. The kind of dress that makes you want to spin around as the skirt flares out. And I have bought myself a pair of cowboy boots to complete the look.