Once Upon a Cowboy by Maggie McGinnis

weekend.”
    Marcy pouted prettily, her hand on Daniel’s elbow now. “You warning me off, Cole?”
    “Just saving you the trouble.”
    “Well, then.” She huffed as she turned back toward him, but it was all staged. “Looks like the selection of bachelors in Carefreeis getting smaller, Cole. But you’re still single, right?”
    “Nope. Moving to a commune. Gonna have me six wives.” He took a slug of his beer.
    “Well”—she gave her tinkly little fake laugh as she ran her index finger down the buttons of his shirt—“maybe we can go out before you leave.”
    Cole almost choked on his drink. “I don’t think so, Marcy.”
    “Why not? You’re single, I’m single—”
    Um, let’ssee. You’re crazy, I’m not.
    “Sorry. No can do. It’s a brother code thing.”
    “Oh, don’t be silly. Decker and I are old news. Call me, okay?”
    Cole raised his beer. No sense arguing with a slightly tipsy version of an egomaniac. “You bet. Good seeing you, Marcy.”
    She waved her fingers as she swayed her hips and boobs toward her friends at the other end of the bar, and Cole closed his eyes andshook his head as she went. She’d only been back in town for a month, but had wasted no time getting his number.
    “She’s just not getting the hint, is she?” Daniel said. “What is it about a woman that makes her think she can do a guy, then move on to his brother if it doesn’t work out?”
    “Not gonna happen.”
    “Y’know, it might be easier to get her off your scent if you
did
have a girlfriend.”
    “Doubt it. Knowing her, it’d just make her try harder.”
    “Maybe, but it’s something to think about. You know, at least for the wedding.” Daniel tipped his beer nonchalantly. “So you don’t end up getting mauled.”
    Cole felt his eyebrows furrow. “Please tell me she’s not on the guest list.”
    “Sorry.” Daniel cringed. “Couldn’t be avoided. Someday you’ll see how this works. It’s a whole dominoes gameof if-you-invite-so-and-so-then-you-have-to-invite-so-and-so and it goes on and on until you want to just elope, and then suddenly, bam. You’ve got a guest list three hundred people long.”
    “I can’t believe you invited her. Decker’ll have your head.”
    “Decker needs her father’s vote at the council meeting.”
    “Shit.”
    “I tried to save you and leave her off, but Hayley overruled me. Apparently we’rethe social event of the season, and it won’t do to alienate the locals.”
    Cole shook his head. “This is how it starts, Danny. First they overrule you on the guest list. Next, they’re painting the bathroom pink and kicking your stuff out of the bedroom closet. Slippery slope. Might want to get out while you can.”
    Daniel laughed as Salty delivered their burgers and fries with a clatter. He pouredketchup over his fries, popping one in his mouth. “Enough about me. How are things going with Jess?”
    “Fine.” Cole took a bite of his burger, mostly to avoid saying anything further.
    “You seeing much of her?”
    “More than I thought we would. Makes me suspicious.”
    “Of?” Daniel raised his eyebrows.
    “Don’t play innocent. I’m sure you’re in on it, too.”
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    Cole took a swallow of his beer. “Fine. Then it’s probably my imagination that Kyla’s doing everything in her power to make sure Jess and I keep running into each other.”
    “Coincidence, I’m sure.” Daniel smiled, then shook his head. “Cole, you know these women. Once they get an idea in their heads—”
    “I know. They’re rabid. I liked it a lot better when
you
were the target of their efforts.”
    “Your fault for still being single.”
    Cole growled. “Being single shouldn’t be a liability.”
    “Right.” Daniel laughed out loud. “I’d think with all of the women you guys get staying at Whisper Creek, being single would be a distinct advantage.”
    “Definitely. It’s really too bad you let yourself get snagged