Free Roses and Rodeo (Rough and Ready) by Cheyenne McCray Page B

followed?
    “Ran into Kelsey this weekend.” Barry sounded angry. “She told me you’re dating this cowboy.”
    Kelsey and her big mouth.
    But then, Danica thought, this could work in her favor. If Barry knew she wasn’t making it up about dating a guy, maybe he would go away.
    Not likely.
    Danica straightened where she stood. “Yes, I’m seeing Creed.”
    “I Googled him,” Barry said. “He’s bad news.”
    “You did what?” Danica put one hand on her hip. “You have no right butting into my business.”
    “I do when I care about you,” Barry said. “It’s all over the place that he goes out on women.”
    “Don’t believe everything you read.” Danica’s skin flushed hot. “But that’s besides the point. I don’t want to be around you. I don’t even want you calling me.” She’d been patient long enough. “Goodbye, Barry. Don’t call me again.”
    “Danica—”
    She pressed the End button and threw the phone onto the couch. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the phone. It rang again with Barry’s name coming up, but she ignored it.
    Still fuming, she went to the kitchen and cut up an apple and got out some peanut butter and ate them together, one of her favorite comfort snacks. The phone rang two more times and she just stood in the kitchen her hip up against the counter, and ate her apple and peanut butter.
    When the phone rang again, she marched into the living room, prepared to turn the damned thing off when she saw the display.
    Kelsey .
    A measure of relief went through her and she smiled. She picked up the phone. “Hi, Kels.”
    “Did you have a great trip?” Kelsey said the moment Danica answered. “How were things with Creed? Did you go to bed with him?”
    “Whoa.” Danica laughed at her friend’s rapid-fire questions. “I had a great trip, everything went great, but no, I did not have sex with him.”
    “Bummer.” Kelsey sounded disappointed. “Well, I want to hear all the details that are juicy.”
    Danica sat on the couch and curled her legs beneath her. She told Kelsey about the trip and the time she’d spent with Creed and that they’d almost ended up in bed together.
    “I don’t get why not,” Kelsey said. “You hit it off, you’ve been talking for a couple of weeks, you’re crazy about him, and he’s hotter than hell.”
    “I just don’t feel like I know him well enough.” Danica paused. “I need more than one weekend with a man before I end up in bed with him. Besides, who says I’m crazy about him?”
    “Heh.” Kelsey laughed. “The way you talk about him and the fact you flew out to watch him ride in his hometown. Come on, who are you kidding? You’re definitely not kidding me.”
    “Maybe.” Danica smiled to herself then laughed. “Okay, I guess you’re right.” She pushed her hair out of her face. “Why did you tell Barry about Creed?”
    “He was at the resort where the wedding was,” Kelsey said. “When I bumped into him, he started pelting me with questions about you so I told him that you were seeing someone. I didn’t think it would hurt to tell him who you’re dating. Was that okay?”
    Danica couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s sincerity. “It was fine, Kels. Better he find out now, I guess. It would be nice if he’d take a hint, though.”
    “Did you see Darryl?” Kelsey sounded breathy, excited as she changed the subject. “I haven’t talked with him since Saturday.”
    “I need to talk with you about Darryl.” Danica paused. “I saw him with another woman.”
    For a heartbeat Kelsey didn’t say anything. “Darryl said his cousin lived there and he’d be seeing her.”
    “This didn’t look like a cousin type of relationship, unless they’re kissing cousins,” Danica said.
    “Darryl wouldn’t do that to me.” As Kelsey said the words, Danica pictured her friend shaking her head with vehemence. “He cares about me too much. He told me he’s in love with me.”
    Danica bit her lower