Second Hope Cowboy (23 page)

Spending some time with Jewels, he’d get the opportunity to do his own investigating.

“Sure. Why not.” He got up and stretched his long legs and shoulders. A pain shot through his shoulder, reminding him of the rodeo injury he’d suffered two years ago—the last ride of his career that had landed him in the hospital for a month and rehabilitation for six. His body aches were a built-in weather predictor and this throbbing told him rain was in the forecast.

Jewels got up with a grace that spoke of money—lots of it. Hell, he already knew the Stone family was loaded, although none of them lived lavishly from what he’d seen. Their two-story, white sided house and the porch that spread from one side to the other could make a good resting spot for a cowboy, but it wasn’t anything fancy. Yet, something about this woman reeked of class—even the department store clothes and downplayed appearance couldn’t hide the fact.

“You didn’t tell me your name, sweetheart.” He pushed the front of his hat with the back of his knuckles.

Three seconds and several expressions later, she finally said, “Lisa.”

Her lie, and poorly executed at that, made his gut clench. That should be good enough reason to call this a night and walk. He knew her name and that she’d moved back home after a tough breakup.  Stone had spent a good amount of their first meeting talking about his special daughters…Jewels, Pearl and Emerald. Pretentious names if Spark said so himself.

Yeah, he didn’t need any part of this situation.

He started to take a step toward the exit when she clasped his hand, entwining their fingers and practically pulling him toward the dance floor. He guessed he was obligated for a few more minutes.