“What, you don’t like hot, well-built men?”
“No. Um, yes. I mean…” I shook my head to clear the confusion I was feeling. “It’s not that. I just don’t like men who regard women as sheep. And knowing Cowboy, I bet he probably lines them up and shears the clothes right off them.”
“Can’t argue with that,” she said, nodding in agreement. “In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s already imagined you naked twenty different ways by now.” My stomach clenched tightly, and I frowned at the unwelcome sensation, making her laugh.
I shook my head adamantly. “Well, it’s not going to happen. Not with me, anyway.”
“Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you’re immune to Cowboy. That would be a first. Most girls have to claw through the hoards of women just to get him to notice them. After all, he’s in the bachelor calendar, you know.” She giggled at that.
“Bachelor calendar?”
“The local newspaper runs a contest where men from Liberty County compete to be in next year’s calendar. Cowboy won a spot as May’s bachelor.”
“Like a beauty contest for men?”
“Basically,” she said with a grin. “I mean, the winners get a photo shoot and everything. I’m surprised you haven’t seen them yet. The calendars were released yesterday and the whole town has been talking about them.”
“I guess I don’t get out enough.”
“Wait until you see what Cowboy… Uh-oh,” she said, glancing over my shoulder with a grin. “Speak of the devil. Look who’s coming.”
Terrific.
He sauntered across the room, smiling at his five-month-old godson still cradled in my arms. Cowboy leaned lazily on the counter, gave me a quick nod, and turned his attention to Bobbie Jo. “Hey, beautiful. How’s the little turtle doing?”
She heaved out an exasperated breath. “Would you please stop referring to Austin as a turtle?”
“Sure I will. Just as soon as he grows some hair.”
I wanted to laugh, but bit the inside of my cheek instead. Cowboy’s assessment of Austin’s bald head and bug eyes was quite accurate—he did look like a turtle. Though I wouldn’t dare tell his mother that.
Bobbie Jo rolled her eyes. Apparently, she was used to the insulting nickname. “What are you doing here, anyway? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in a library before. You lose a bet or something?”
“Very funny,” Cowboy said, though he wasn’t laughing. “No, Miss Nosey. I’m doing research.” He held up the book I’d helped him locate.
“On household chemicals?” She shook her head. “Cowboy, when are you going to stop looking into that case? Don’t you think it’s time you let it go? It’s been months already. There’s nothing more you can do.”
“Well, if I don’t investigate that goddamn fire, then who will?”
My ears perked up. “Isn’t that what the fire marshal is for?” I said it without thinking, then looked down quickly, keeping my gaze from meeting his. It wasn’t like I couldn’t speak around him. Basically, everything just came out sounding as awkward as I felt.
Cowboy’s hand fisted on the counter. “I’m captain of the fire department, so that makes it my job. Besides, that jackass couldn’t find his balls with both hands. He damn sure isn’t going to solve this case.”
Bobbie Jo touched his hand, offering him comfort. “I know you don’t feel like he’s doing enough,” she murmured. “But your department’s already so thinly staffed. And with the loss of your chief…”
I cringed, realizing which fire they were talking about.
“I hate to see you working so hard,” she added. “You need to take a day off and catch up on your sleep.”
I’d noticed the dark circles under his eyes, but had attributed them to late night bar outings I imagined he was accustomed to. But hell, what did I know? I also thought his nose looked a little more crooked than the last time I saw him.
“Today is my day off, and it’s just now getting dark outside.” Cowboy rubbed at the back of his neck, then glanced at his watch. “When the library closes in half an hour, I’ll be heading home and hitting the sack.” Then he grinned at Bobbie Jo. “What are you doing here? Checking up on me?”
“You being in a library is most definitely a newsworthy event, but no, I didn’t come here to make fun of you. That was just a bonus.” She smirked at me as she reached for Austin and pulled him into her arms.
No, Bobbie Jo, don’t say it!
“I stopped by to see Anna. She moved here a few weeks ago.”
Damn. She said it.
Cowboy’s face warped with confusion. “Who’s Anna?”
Bobbie Jo quirked a brow at his question, but gestured to me, anyway. His piercing gaze followed, and I gave him a fake, strained smile. Though he hadn’t recognized me, it still hurt that he hadn’t even remembered my name.
“I didn’t know you were friends with Bobbie Jo.” He glanced back to her and said, “Your friend and I bumped into each other earlier. Could’ve sworn I punctured her voice box or something. She barely said two words to me.” He turned back to me and grinned. “You must not like strangers.”
I chewed on my bottom lip, not sure what to say.
“Strangers?” Bobbie Jo laughed. “What, you don’t recognize her?”
Her comment made Cowboy blink, and me wince. Damn it, Bobbie Jo. I wanted her to stop helping me.
His glittery green eyes scanned up and down my slender body, and I could only imagine the shades of red my face turned. “You know, you do look awfully familiar,” he said easily. “Did we sleep together?”
Oh, good grief.
Bobbie Jo was patting Austin on his back, but froze mid-pat. “Seriously, Cowboy?” She gave him a stern, motherly glare. “You don’t even know if Anna’s someone you’ve had sex with?”
I cringed. Obviously, he thought sex with someone like me would be unmemorable. But did Bobbie Jo have to actually verbalize it?
When he just shrugged, Bobbie Jo shook her head in disgust, then placed the yawning turtle back into his green stroller shell. “After dealing with Jeremy earlier today, I don’t even have the energy to smack you in the back of the head.”
“You’re still dealing with that shit stain?” Cowboy snarled. “Guess I’m gonna have to kick his ass.”
She peered up at him in confusion. “For what?”
“For being a dick.”
“Yes, he is. But he’s also Austin’s father…even if only in the biological sense.” Bobbie Jo finished buckling her son into the stroller and straightened. “Look, I know he’s your long-time rival, but is there ever going to be a time I mention Jeremy’s name that one of Austin’s four godfathers don’t threaten to beat him up?”
Cowboy grinned. “Nope.”
“Fine. But I don’t want you or the other guys to do anything to him. I can handle Jeremy myself.”
Glancing at the clock on the wall, I realized it was almost closing time and noted that the people milling about had greatly dwindled in numbers. I still hadn’t even taken out the sack of garbage I’d left by the back door.
“Excuse me for a moment,” I said quietly. “I need to take the trash out back before I close up.” That would allow me time to settle my nerves.
After vacating the room I grabbed the bag of garbage, stepped out the back door, and tossed it into the big blue dumpster on the side of the library. I took a few deep breaths while fanning my hot face, then returned inside and rejoined Bobbie Jo and Cowboy just as she was about to leave.
“You know, darlin’, you really do look familiar,” Cowboy said to me as Bobbie Jo stored the baby’s teething ring. “I just can’t place how we met.”
Of course, he couldn’t. I sighed. “I could just tell you.”
“Aw, now where’s the fun in that?” Cowboy gave me a quick wink.
“Oh, Lord,” Bobbie Jo said, rolling her eyes. She looked up at me. “Sorry I can’t visit with you longer, but I need to get Austin home and ready for his bath. I’ll call you tomorrow. Maybe we can go to dinner or something this week.”