Cowboy is Mine (Cowboys of Nirvana Book 5) by Rhonda Lee Carver Page A

salad. When she saw Krista, her smile deepened and her cheeks turned rosy. “I’m glad you joined us. Too bad you have to see me eating like this. I can’t seem to get enough calories.”
    “You’re pregnant. Enjoy it.” Krista winked, using a spoon to gather herself a scoop of cole slaw and then a square of cut watermelon.
    “I think you’ll really enjoy Nirvana. It’s a bit unbelievable at first, but I promise you, the land holds healthy benefits that are unexplainable.” Kaycee popped a piece of bread into her mouth.
    “So far, I can’t believe how relaxing it is here. No wonder y’all are booked up solid.”
    “The wedding venue helped a lot. Chase is a smart business man. And the best husband a woman could ever have. Lucky me!”
    “When a woman can say that, she definitely is lucky.”
    “I hope I don’t strangle him before this baby is born though. His sister phoned yesterday and said she’s coming tomorrow to visit. She wants to be here when the baby is born.”
    Krista blinked. “Don’t they get along?”
    “Oh, they get along great, but he thinks because he’s the older brother that he’s the ruler. She’s an adult, but he treats her like she’s a juvenile and it frustrates her. I’ve told him that when a woman is made to do something she doesn’t necessarily want, she’s more than likely going to rebel.”
    “What is he trying to make her do that she doesn’t want?”
    Kaycee laughed. “Stop having a fascination for cowboys. Funny, huh? A woman loving cowboys.” She laughed. “He doesn’t get the attraction.”
    “I see. He respects, appreciates and admires his hands here, but no one is good enough for his sister.”
    “You get it. Too bad he doesn’t. He’s already freaking out and complaining. I love his protective side, but I am not in the mood to be a buffer between them.”
    “Maybe it’s time to let them handle it. If his sister gets tired enough, she’ll stand up for herself and he’ll listen.”
    “True…I just wish he didn’t think she was coming here to start up a fling ag—”
    “Still pregnant!” A petite brunette approached them. “I told you I know a massage technique that’ll make that baby come out within twenty-four hours.” “Kris, this is one of our magical masseuses here at Nirvana. Suzie. Maybe you’ll get to visit her during your stay. We have a group of women who were born with rewarding hands.”
    “I’ll keep that in mind.” Krista smiled.
    When the two women started talking delivery methods, Krista slipped out of the tent. She chose a bale of hay close to the fire and began eating hungrily while listening to the music. The three-person band played Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and a few other popular old-time hits. She found herself humming along to songs she’d never heard before, but the tunes dragged her in. Over the course of the next thirty minutes, she’d met many of the staff and several guests as they filed in and circulated. One cowboy by the name of Dade was exceptionally friendly, but he didn’t stick around too long. He seemed preoccupied with something.
    The environment was positive and fun. Krista sipped her sweet tea, enjoying the activity around her. She was starting to wonder where Dodge could be, but not soon after, she saw him heading her way. Her heart flipped.
    “Sorry I’m late, sweetheart.”
    He called her sweetheart. Swoon. She wasn’t nineteen any longer. “I wondered if you were coming.”
    “Wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I wanted to make sure you got your boots back. They should feel much better, but you have to let them dry overnight.” He placed them next to her.
    “Aww, Dodge, thank you. For what I don’t know.” The boots were shiny and they smelled strong of polish.
    “It’s a leather butter. You rub it over the material and it softens the hide just enough to mold to your feet.” He looked down into her empty plastic cup. “Ready for another beer?”
    “Sure.” She handed over