Cowboy Up Read Online Free PDF Page B

Emmett’s weathered face glowed with pride. “Fits nice.”
    Sarah appeared and crossed to where they were standing. “Looks good, huh? Fortunately we wear the same size.”
    “Sarah said I could keep this,” Emily said. “But that seems silly if I’m only going to wear it while I’m here.”
    Some of the glow faded from Emmett’s expression, and Clay ached for him.
    No matter what Emmett had said about not expecting too much, it was obvious he’d allowed himself to hope that Emily wouldn’t abandon her newfound interest in the ranch once she left. He nodded. “Guess so. Wouldn’t want to let a good hat end up in the back of a closet. Well, I’d better get going if I intend to finish up those errands in town.”
    “Oh, that reminds me.” Sarah pulled a slip of paper from the pocket of her jeans. “Here are a few more things I need while you’re there. Also, Pam called and asked if you’d stop by the Bunk & Grub, and I’d really appreciate it if you’d look in on my mother and make sure she remembers about the party tomorrow night.”
    Emmett looked over the list. Then he trained that piercing blue gaze on Sarah in a manner Clay knew well. It meant that Emmett suspected something was going on and he intended to find out what. “You wouldn’t be stacking up the errands to keep me away from the ranch all afternoon because of some scheme or other, would you now, Sarah?”
    “Goodness, no! Why would I do a thing like that?”
    “Because I’ve known you for thirty-some years, and you look like you’re up to something. I’m warning you, if I come back from town and a passel of folks jump out of the bushes yelling ‘surprise,’ I will be one unhappy cowhand.”
    Sarah patted his arm. “I promise that won’t be happening. Besides, your birthday’s tomorrow.”
    “Which means the only way you could surprise me is to stage the party tonight. I wouldn’t put it past you, either.”
    “You are so suspicious.” Sarah gave him a big smile. “You will love your birthday party, Emmett, and it will take place on your birthday, not the night before.”
    “Time will tell if you’re putting me on or not. Anyway, I’ll see you folks later, and there had better not be any shenanigans taking place while I’m gone.” Settling his hat on his head, he left the dining room.
    Sarah studied the beamed ceiling of the dining room and twiddled her thumbs as his footsteps receded down the hall leading to the living room. Only after the front door had opened and closed did she drop her gaze to Clay’s and burst out laughing. “He’s such a baby when it comes to birthdays.”
    “He knows something’s going on,” Clay said.
    “What is it?” Emily looked eagerly from one to the other. “ Are you going to surprise him tonight?”
    “No.” Sarah glanced over at the door to the dining room as if worried that Emmett might have crept back down the hall. “Emily, go make sure he’s left.”
    “Be right back.” Emily hurried out of the dining room.
    Sarah moved closer to Clay. “He really will love this cookout. But if he knew about it in advance, he’d pitch a fit because we’re going to extra trouble on his behalf.”
    “You’re right, he would.”
    “But it’s going to be so perfect. I realized this morning that you’ll need to dig two fire pits, one for the bonfire and one we can let burn down to coals for grilling the steaks.”
    “I can do that.”
    Emily came back in, her face pink with excitement. “He’s really gone. So what are you planning?”
    “Clay can explain it all. I need to go check with Watkins, if he’s still in the kitchen. His guitar was missing a string and I need to make sure he’s fixed it.”
    “He’s still there,” Clay said, “but you might want to knock before you go in.”
    “I see .” Sarah grinned. “Thanks for the warning. Catch you two later. Call if you run into any glitches.” Then she walked toward the kitchen. “Sarah Chance is on the move!” she called