A Valentine For The Cowboy

“I’ve met him several times. His name is Eli. He’s one of the Clayton brothers.”

Her friend sat back in surprise. “You’re talking Toly Clayton’s brother?”

“That’s right.”

“Wow.”

“My uncle told me Eli’s wife divorced him. But he still wears his wedding ring.”

“He probably does that to keep all the women away. Otherwise there’d be a line a mile long.”

A piece of chicken lodged in Brianna’s throat. She had to take a drink of water to clear it. “I was thinking he can’t take it off because he’s still so much in love with her.”

Lindsay went quiet. Brianna found herself the object of her friend’s gaze. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I think it does,” Lindsay said right back. “You’re interested in him.”

“Well, like you, I find him attractive.”

“And?”

She averted her eyes. “And nothing.”

“Has he asked you out?”

By now Brianna was squirming. “Yes, but I turned him down.”

“Brianna—why?”

“I told you.”

Lindsay kept at her. “Is it because he has a daughter?”

“No! She’s wonderful.”

“So you’ve met her, too.” Her friend smiled. “If you want my advice, which I know you don’t, I would tell him yes if you get another chance.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“Don’t be so sure. He’s walking this way.”

What? Her heart thundered in her chest.

“Brianna?”

She looked up and her gaze collided with Eli’s. At the same moment his daughter tried to get to her. Brianna pushed her chair back. “Hi, Libby. Have you come out to dinner with your daddy?”

By now the little girl was twisting to escape Eli’s arms. Brianna had no choice but to reach for her. His little girl wrapped her arms around Brianna’s neck, warming her heart.

Eli’s blue eyes glittered with amusement. “When we came in for dinner, she spotted you out of all these people. Your hair is unmistakable. I gave up any hope of peace until we came over to say hi first.”

“Why don’t you join us?” Lindsay spoke up with a knowing smile Brianna had already deciphered. “We have two more chairs.”

Brianna moaned inwardly.

“I don’t want to intrude.”

“It’s no intrusion, is it, Brianna?”

“No, of course not. Please sit down.”

“I’m Lindsay Turner, Brianna’s friend,” Lindsay said as he pulled out a chair. “And you are...”