How to Catch a Cowboy in 10 Days (Unlikely Cowgirl)

by Kimberly Krey

  She laughed again, and Trey wondered if he’d ever heard a better sound. Seen a lovelier sight. “Deal,” she said with a nod.

  Trey gave her a nod back. “Deal.”

  Chapter 28

  Ann took Trey’s hand as he opened the passenger side door. Birds chirped in the distance. A dog barked. And the white picket fence caught her eye. Could she really have the storybook life Trey talked about on the drive here?

  She hopped down from the truck and followed him along the shaded driveway. Since Trey carried the cake for her in one hand, she clung on to his other with both of hers. She used that advantage to still him there for a minute. “Wait, let me see if I remember this. Your mom is Taya.”

  He nodded his head.

  “Your sisters are Lexi and Clarinda, who goes by Clair. And Lexi’s the older one.”

  “So far, so good,” he said.

  Ann’s chest rose with encouragement. “Your stepdad is Ray, and his sons are Simon and Shawn. They’re twins.”

  “Close,” Trey said. “It’s Simon and Sam.”

  “Oh, that’s the second time I’ve done that,” she hissed.

  “Sam won’t care. If you call him the wrong name, he’ll make a game out of it.”

  Her shoulders slumped. “Don’t let me call him the wrong name. Sam, Sam, Sam…”

  “Sam is the one with his hair sticking up in back. He’s got a stubborn cowlick that sets him apart.”

  “Okay,” Ann said.

  Trey gave her a smile. “C’mon. You’ve got this.”

  The home was lovely. Bright red bricks with white trim. Flowers lined either side of the steps, the soil free from even the slightest weed.

  “Looks like my mom put the twins to work,” Trey mumbled.

  “What do you mean?” Ann asked.

  “The yard,” he said. “Last time I was here, the weeds were taller than the flowers.”

  She smiled, charmed by the idea of the boys busy at work to make the place look nice.

  “She even had them sweep the porch,” he said. “You must feel like royalty.”

  “I kind of do,” she admitted. Her heart raced when Trey skipped knocking on the door and pushed it right open. He didn’t live there anymore, but that didn’t mean the place wasn’t home to him.

  “Hey, Mom,” he called after closing the door behind them.

  “Trey?” A tall, slender woman with black hair and a gorgeous smile strode toward them. She wore slacks, a silky blouse, and a pair of low pumps. “Come on in, you two,” she said.

  “Mom, this is Ann. Ann, this is my sweet mama, Taya.

  “How are you, Ann?” She reached out and shook her hand.

  “I’m great, thanks. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise. Here, I’ll take this cake from you,” she said, taking it from Trey. “You come meet the rest of the family.”

  A rich, savory aroma filled the home, making Ann realize just how hungry she was. Taya led the way through the wide foyer with high, vaulted ceilings, and into a spacious kitchen. Trey spun back to link his fingers through Ann’s, putting her more at ease than she’d been moments ago.

  “This is my daughter, Lexi,” Taya said, motioning to the girl at the stove. “And over here is Clarinda.”

  “Just Clair,” the girl said.

  Ann gave them a wave in turn. “Hi.”

  Clair, who had a cooking spoon in one hand and a phone in the other, waved at her with her phone. “Hi Ann,” she said, her voice light and friendly.

  “Hey,” the one named Lexi chimed. She was straightening a stack of magazines in the front room. The decorating was beautiful. Shades of rusted orange and peacock blue accented the otherwise neutral area, giving it a professional feel.

  “Nice to meet you guys,” Ann said. “Er, girls,” she amended awkwardly. The teens were beautiful. Clair looked a whole lot like her mother, smile and all, while Lexi resembled Trey more. That same dimple sinking into one cheek.

  “We’re glad to meet you, too,” Lexi said. “You wouldn’t believe how many things we could tell you about this guy.” She slapped a hand on her brother’s back before pulling him in for a sideways hug. “It’s going to be a long night for him,” she promised with a laugh.

  “Oh, yeah,” Clair said, though she was still thumbing through her phone.

  Taya must have noticed that very thing, because Ann heard her mumble something about putting the phone away until dinner was through.

  “Well, I’ll be looking forward to the stories,” Ann said, giving Trey a smile.

  “Just remember,” he warned, “I have just as many stories about you guys, too.”

  The girls only laughed. “Sorry, Trey, but she won’t be interested in those. Ann just wants to hear about you.”

  Ann chuckled, feeling at ease in their home already. And although his sisters and mother were unarguably beautiful, they weren’t intimidating like they could be. They were kind.

  “Is Dad out back?” Trey asked.

  “Yep. Go let him know you’re here, will you? He’ll want to put on the kabobs.”

  Windows took up nearly the entire back wall surrounding the French doors, allowing light to poor over the dining area.

  “Your home is beautiful,” Ann said to Taya, who was lifting a casserole dish out of the oven.

  “Thank you,” she said, glancing up from the dish. “I appreciate that.”

  Trey led her to the French doors before pausing to look over one shoulder. “How much money will it take to keep you girls quiet?”

  His sisters laughed in return. “A lot,” one hollered.

  A table was set on the deck. Not a casual setting either. Linen napkins rested in the center of each plate, the setting matching the colors Ann had seen inside. And huddled beside an industrial looking grill were what had to be Trey’s stepdad and the twins.

  “Ray,” Trey said, grabbing his attention.

  “Trey,” the twins hollered in unison. They shot over to him as his stepdad turned around, shooting Ann a grin before approaching Trey.

  “How you doing, son?”

  Trey threw an arm around him and the boys in turn. “Good, Dad. How’s the grill coming?”

  “Not bad,” he replied. “Think I’ll get the hang of it yet.”

  Trey turned to Ann. “It was his birthday not too long ago. He got this bad boy, and he hasn’t even used it yet.”

  “That’s cuz we were waiting for you to bring this fine lady over,” the man said.

  Ann felt herself blush.

  “Annie,” Trey said, “this is my dad, Ray. The twins, Simon and Sam. Watch out, though, they don’t shower a whole lot so they kinda stink.”

  Ann shook their small hands as Simon protested the comment with a sneer. Sam, whose hair stuck up in back just as Trey said, only laughed. “I hate showers.”

  Ray gave her a firm handshake, extending a warm smile as well. “Welcome, hon. We’re glad to have you.” He turned back to the grill and waved his palm over the steam rising from it. “Now tell me you what you prefer. Chicken or shrimp. Or both.”

  Ann shrugged. “Both sound good to me.”

  “Ah,” Ray said, shooting a wink at Trey. “She’s a keeper.”

  Trey pulled her in for a sideways hug. “I already know that, Pop.”

  The two helped put side dishes on the table as Ray finished grilling, and soon they were seated around the big outdoor table in the shade, a soft breeze blowing over the land. Taya said grace, mentioning Ann and blessing her family back home as well. Gratitude swelled in Ann’s chest; the moment seeming perfect somehow.

  Trey took Ann’s glass and poured her some iced tea. “This is my mom’s special brew. I think you’ll like it.”

  “Oh, I’m sure I will.” Ice clinked within the cool glass as she pulled it to her lips. After a few gulps of the refreshing drink, Ann recognized what was in it. At least she thought she did. “Is that mint?”

  Taya nodded. “Homegrown. The twins planted some under the oak tree
a few years ago. I haven’t had to buy it since.

  “That’s awesome,” Ann said, giving the boys a grin.

  Sam smiled, then let his face fall flat. “Yeah, but we don’t really drink tea, so we hardly ever eat the leaves.” He picked up a piece of grilled shrimp and inspected it.

  “Want to know something cool about shrimp?” Ann asked him.

  Sam glanced back at her. “Yeah,” he said.

  “Me too,” Simon added.

  “Well there’s this really neat species of shrimp, they’re called cleaners, and they go right inside the open mouths of fish, and they clean out all the bloodsucking parasites.”

  The twins’ eyes widened. “Really?” Sam asked.

  Simon raised his hand. “And the fish just let them?”

  She nodded. “Yep. They come out alive each time. Well, unless it’s a fish that eats shrimp, I guess.”

  “Cool!” they said in unison.

  Trey shot her a wink. “Nice,” he said under his breath. “They like you already.”

  “When do we get to tell Ann about Trey?” Clair asked, looking at Taya for approval.

  “Never,” Trey mumbled.

  “Oh, I have one!” Simon’s hand shot into the air.

  “Go ahead,” Taya said. “We’ll go around the table. And for each thing we tell Ann about Trey, she can tell us something about herself or her family.”

  “And I can tell her something about each of you,” Trey added.

  His mom shrugged. “Fair enough.”

  “Okay,” Simon said. “One time when Trey was in a rodeo contest, he lost his pants.”

  Laughter spilled over the table. “Oh, I forgot about that one,” Sam said.

  “I didn’t,” Simon assured. “It was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.”

  Ann scooped a spoonful of roasted potatoes onto her plate. “So how exactly did this happen?”

  The family took turns telling how Trey’s belt loop hooked right around the bull’s horn. Instead of tearing the loop away from the jeans, it tore his pants “clean off him” in Ray’s words.

  Amidst the chaos, Trey put a hand up and cleared his throat. “Actually, it wasn’t hooked on the loop, it sunk between my belt and the pants. The belt was wrapped around my pants pretty good, but they weren’t a real tight pair, so when I tipped upside down they just…came off.”

  “Least he had on his underwears,” Sam said.

  Taya laughed. “Thank the heavens for that.”

  Ann couldn’t imagine such a thing happening. “I’m surprised Randy and Max didn’t mention it,” she said. “Seems like something they would’ve told me by now.”

  “Oh, they don’t know about it,” he said. “And they’re never going to, right?” Trey nudged her with his arm, a playful look in his eye.

  A wave of heat swept through her. He was so handsome. Those dark brown eyes and dimpled cheeks. Those full and kissable lips. “Your secret’s safe with me,” she promised.

  “So now we get to hear something about you,” Ray said. “What’s your family like?”

  Ann tilted her head. “Well, I have two brothers and two sisters and six nieces and nephews.”

  “Oh,” Taya said, “that’s great. And do they all live in Seattle?”

  “Or close to it,” Ann said with a nod. “We get together at least once a month. Sometimes more.”

  “That’s great,” Ray said. “Sounds like you’ve got quite the crew there.”

  “Tell us about your job,” Taya said. “Trey mentioned you’re a writer and editor. Do you prefer one over the other?”

  “Yeah,” Ann said with a nod. “I like writing best. I’m uh… working on a few articles now.”

  “Like what?” The woman’s head tilted expectantly.

  Ann glanced around the large table, sensing every eye on her as she did. A bomb must have gone off in her chest; it was all chaos and heat. “Just …” She shrugged. “Boring stuff.”

  Trey stepped in and told them about some of the articles Ann had written. And while she was aware of at least that much, Ann couldn’t exactly tune in to the conversation. Her head was pounding in rhythm with her aching, racing heart, the pressure like swelling waves in her ears.

  “Excuse me,” she mumbled, coming to a stand. She shot a look at Clair. “Restroom?” she asked in a whisper.

  The teen gave her a nod. “Inside. To the right. Third door down.”

  “Or you can use the one by the entry,” Taya chimed. “That one’s probably cleaner.”

  Behind her, Ann could hear one of the teenagers protesting the bathroom comment. “Hey, we keep it clean in there.”

  Numbly, she made her way down the hall. To the third door on the right, and closed herself in. Guilt swung at her like a hammer, wreaking havoc from the inside out. She checked the mirror and gulped as she noticed a trace of sweat that had broken out over her face. The article wasn’t that big of a deal. It wasn’t as if she was writing some mean, horrible piece about Trey. Spying on him and his family to slander them in the public eye.

  But still… she was using Trey to further her career, even if it was in a roundabout way. Even if she was genuinely falling in love with him. He had the right to know. Tonight, she told herself. She’d tell him tonight.

  She gathered herself together quickly, satisfied with the promise she’d made to herself, and headed back to the group. Sounds of their laughter echoed throughout the home, growing louder as she swung open the patio door. The sights and sounds put her at ease once more. And as Ann rejoined them, she reveled in the easy talk among Trey’s family. No competition or keeping track. Just easy conversation, a fair amount of teasing, and a whole lot of fun.

  “Well,” Ray said, “since all the good stories have been taken, I guess I’ll just tell you that this here guy,” he paused, a bit of redness forming in the man’s green eyes. “He’s the perfect example of a real man. And he has been since he was just a boy, if you ask me.”

  “Oh, c’mon, Pop.”

  Taya smeared the tips of her fingers beneath her eyes as the emotion rose among the small gathering.

  “When his father left,” Ray continued, “Trey stepped up and did what a man should do. Taya told me about how he mowed the lawn, shoveled the walks, fed the horses, and took care of the stalls.

  “On top of that, during his senior year, he …” Ray nodded toward Ann, “well I’m sure he’s already told you this, but there was the accident where he lost his girlfriend, Shell.”

  “She was his first love,” Clair specified. “They’d been dating for two years.”

  Ray nodded. “Yeah. Broke his heart right in two. Has he taken you to the bridge? Or her gravesite?”

  A sinking dart shot deep into Ann’s chest as she glanced over at Trey. He looked down, his shoe thumping against the base of the table. “Not yet,” she said as the silence stretched between them.

  Most of the plates were empty by then, or at least forgotten among the conversation.

  “Anyway, I was impressed with him right from the start. Polite kid. Good to his mom and sisters. Great work ethic. It’s no wonder that Al Myers—that’s Shell’s granddad—” Ray said with a glance in Ann’s direction, “wants him to take over his ranch.” Ray reached over, gave Trey a slap on the back. “Proud of you, son.”

  That’s who was giving Trey the ranch?

  Trey shifted his gaze to his stepdad. “Thanks, Pop.”

  “No thanks needed.” Ray wiped at his eyes. “Stupid BBQ smoke,” he said with a laugh.

  Ann set her gaze back on Trey. She was stuck trying to figure out the mystery of who he was. Of why he hadn’t told her about losing his first love. It wasn’t like staring at him would help her solve it, but it was obvious he was avoiding her gaze. Seemed Ann wasn’t the only one holding back; the idea softened the sting, but not for long. They didn’t know one another as well as she’d thought. And how could they, in such a short amount of time?

  At last she shifted it to the back of her mind
, she listened as Trey sung his dad’s praises. She liked the way he referred to Ray as his dad. He’d been the best example of a father he’d had, and Ann found herself feeling grateful for the fact that God saw fit to connect these wonderful people. And to let her be a part of it, even for just a night. Of course, Ann hoped it would be much more than that.

  “Oh, we forgot to have Ann take a turn this time,” Lexi said.

  “That’s right, Ann,” Taya added. “Last one. Make it good.”

  “Um…” She glanced at Trey one last time, caught the briefest glimpse of his eyes on hers. She’d already told them about her job. Her apartment. A couple of embarrassing moments from her past (it seemed only fair). Finally something came to mind. An embarrassing truth about herself might lighten the mood. “Well, ever since I could read, I’ve been crazy about books with cowboys.”

  Clair and Lexi let out a few hoots and catcalls. Simon covered his ears in feigned disgust.

  “So,” Ann continued, “while my friends were fantasizing about marrying their favorite actor and living in some massive mansion, I dreamt of marrying a cowboy and living on a ranch with him.”

  “Aw,” Taya exclaimed, throwing a hand over her chest.

  “I’m going to be a cowboy someday, too,” Simon mumbled.

  Trey ran a hand over Ann’s back. It felt nice there. Like an acknowledgment of sorts—that there was a reason he hadn’t told her about the loss of his first love before.

  “Guess I’m a pretty big dummy if I mess this one up then, right guys?” Trey said, making the group laugh.

  “You can say that again,” Ray said.

  Ann bit at her lip, dropped her gaze to her plate, and focused on the feel of his hand on her back. She wasn’t sure when it would happen; when they got back to the ranch, that night or perhaps sometime tomorrow, but sooner or later, she and Trey needed to talk. Seemed she wasn’t the only one with a story to share.

  Chapter 29

  The window was down, but Trey didn’t know why. It was late, dark, and the car was going much too fast. A rush of wind blasted his face as he tried to see. Just where were they going anyway? Endless shades of blue, grey and black sped by in a blur. Wait, there was one thing he recognized coming up. A small streetlight illuminated the bridge. The place he and Shell hung out all the time. The spot they shared their first kiss. Could she be on there now?