Trouble in Cowboy Boots by Desiree Holt Page A

The shorts rode so high on her thighs they were nearly indecent. A sleeveless blouse hung open over a strapless halter that barely contained her breasts. Wild curls danced on her shoulders as she walked and her lip gloss glinted in the sun.
    “Wyatt’s not here,” Emily said, clutching her empty glass. “He’s out riding fences.”
    Diana gave her a knowing smile. “He’ll be back. He’s expecting me.” She let her eyes rake over Emily from head to toe and back again. “I can’t imagine how he stands having a mousy little thing like you in the house, but I guess if you stay in the kitchen it doesn’t matter.”
    Emily stared at her, searching for just the right retort, but the sound of hoofbeats distracted her. She looked up to see Wyatt riding into the yard and pull to a stop in front of the barn.
    80

    Trouble in Cowboy Boots
    “Here he is now,” Diana smiled and headed toward the barn.
    Wyatt had barely dismounted before she threw her arms around him and kissed him, pressing every inch of her body against his., rubbing against him like a sleek cat Emily waited for Wyatt to push her away but instead he kissed her back just as enthusiastically, hands reaching down to cup her ass.
    Emily closed her eyes, wondering if she was going to throw up. What was he doing? What was going on here? He hadn’t said a word to her about expecting Diana or having plans with her.
    You’re not his social secretary. Or his wife. He can do whatever he wants, remember?
    She turned back into the house, unwilling to watch the unpleasant scene. In the kitchen she rinsed her glass and stuck it in the dishwasher, wishing she had the nerve to raid Wyatt’s liquor cabinet. Instead she sat down at the table to look over her list for supper, hoping to distract herself.
    Hoping Wyatt would come in and tell her Diana Landry had dropped dead in the yard.
    Instead he poked his head in the back door and said, “See you tomorrow.”
    Emily’s head snapped up. “You won’t be here for…for dinner?” She wanted to say
    “for tonight” but her courage failed her.
    Diana pushed him to the side and wedged herself into the doorway. “He’ll be eating something much better.” She gave Emily a bawdy wink. “I told him I’d come pick him up because I didn’t plan for him to have the strength to drive home tomorrow.” She pulled on Wyatt’s belt. “Come on, cowboy. We’re wasting time.”
    Emily sat at the table, staring at the paper in her hand, until she heard the truck engine turn over and the big vehicle pull out of the yard. It was blatantly obvious what he and Diana the Slut would be doing tonight. They couldn’t have made it more obvious. Her eyes burned and she felt sick to her stomach. She’d always thought when Wyatt wanted to end this he’d at least be straight about it. Honest. That seemed like the kind of person he was. Not one who would humiliate her like this.
    81

    Desiree Holt
    She would not cry over this. No man was worth it. She’d learned that painful lesson the hard way. But she certainly couldn’t stay here. She’d make dinner, then get one of the hands to take her into town afterward.
    God, what a mess.
    She knew Roxie was at work but Lola would be in her place behind Blue Belle’s, resting her feet after working the breakfast and lunch shifts. She’d just have to confess the whole thing and ask if she could share a room. She had no idea what she’d do for a job, but she’d worry about that tomorrow.
    Pulling herself together she called Lola on the cell phone she’d held onto.
    “Hey, Emily.” Lola’s voice was filled with curiosity. And anxiety. “You okay? Why are you calling?”
    “Don’t say anything,” Emily begged. “Just listen, please.” Digging her nails into her fingers to keep herself from falling apart, she explained her situation in terse, short sentences. “Don’t ask me any questions right now, okay? Just tell me if I can bunk in with you.”
    “Oh, honey of course you can.