The Cowboy And The Debutante by Stella Bagwell

Roy! It’s so wonderful to see you!” She kissed his cheek, then kissed it again, making the sheriff laugh.
    â€œNow that’s the kind of greeting I like,” he teased as he patted her back with a big, loving hand.
    Anna pressed her cheek against his broad chest, then leaned her head back to look at him. “How’s my favorite Texas Ranger?”
    His expression full of amusement, Roy glanced over at Miguel “How do you like that? She kisses me, then asks about my son.”
    â€œCharlie is my favorite cousin,” Anna excused her behavior. “And I haven’t seen him since his wedding to Violet.”
    â€œCharlie’s fine. But you’d better not let your other cousins know he’s your favorite or you’ll have the whole bunch mad at you. Did you know Violet was expecting a baby?”
    Anna nodded, while a few steps away Miguel was mesmerized by the sparkle in her eyes and the broad smile on her face. This was a totally different woman from the one he knew. This Anna was warm and giving. This Anna was hungry for the love and companionship of her family.
    â€œYes. Mother told me the good news. I’m so happy for them. When are they coming home? I’d love to see them while I’m here on the Bar M.”
    â€œMaybe the end of June,” Roy told her. “Will you still be here then?”
    The end of June was more than seven weeks away. Anna had only planned to stay on the ranch for six weeks, and one of those was nearly past.
    Not daring to glance at Miguel, she said, “I don’t know, Uncle Roy. I’m not sure about my concert schedule yet. But I’ll try.” She looped her arm through her uncle’s. “Come on, let’s go down to the house and I’ll make you a cup of coffee.”
    â€œWell, I was on my way home. But I guess Justine will wait a few more minutes. Besides, it worries her more when I come home early than it does when I’m late.” He glanced at Miguel. “Come have coffee with us, Miguel. I’d like to hear how roundup is going.”
    Miguel looked from the older man to Anna. The coolness he was accustomed to seeing was back on her face, and he felt a sharp slice of disappointment. He didn’t want Anna’s frost. He wanted her warmth.
    â€œI have some things waiting—”
    â€œDon’t tell me you have things to do,” Roy interrupted him. “There’s always things to do on a ranch. I’m sure Anna makes good coffee. If she doesn’t, we’ll find some of Wyatt’s brandy to pour in it.”
    â€œUncle Roy!” Anna scolded teasingly. “I make delicious coffee. And sheriffs aren’t allowed to drink.”
    Laughing, Roy urged his niece out of the stables and motioned for Miguel to join them. Miguel felt he had little choice but to follow.
    An hour passed before Roy eventually said his goodbyes and headed on home. Normally Miguel thoroughly enjoyed visiting with his old friend. But this evening he could hardly relax with Anna’s presence filling the kitchen.
    The more he tried not to notice her, the more he caught himself staring, recalling the kiss they’d exchanged at the stables.
    Touching her had been a mistake. But when he’d walked up and seen her racing around the track on a horse even he would be leery to climb on, he’d been enraged. And he’d been frightened. Memories of Charlene’s reckless indifference to his wishes had come rushing to his mind, filling him with helpless anger. Anna wasn’t Charlene, but in Miguel’s eyes, she was too damn close to the same mold.
    â€œMiguel? Do you hear me?”
    He glanced up to see Anna staring at him from across the room. “Did you say something?” he asked as he tried to shake away his deep thoughts.
    â€œI asked if you were hungry. Do you want to stay and eat?”
    Clapping his hat back onto his head, he rose from his seat at the table. “No.