Free Two Dude Ranchers for Dawn [Cowboy City 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) by Luxie Ryder Page A

time carrying rifles. They started whooping and hollering as they shot their guns into the air while their horsesgallopedaround,seeminglyunaffectedbythenoise.Alloftheridersexceptonecametoastopat the side of the ring. The remaining cowboy kicked his horse into a fast run and let go of the reins to bringhisgunuptohisshoulderandtakeaim,stayingonthehorsefromthestrengthofhisthighsalone.
    Hehitthetargetandturnedthehorsesharplytoridehimbackupintothecenterofthering,yankingoff hishattowavetothecrowd,thankingthemfortheapplause.
    Dawnbolteduprightinherseat. Garrett?
    Thehorseandriderdrewcloser,andshecouldseehiseyeswerefixedonher.Garrettperformeda deepbow,sweepinghishatouttothesidewithaflourish,andthenputitbackonhishead.Thesmilehe sentherwaydidfunnythingstoherinsides,andshesmiledback,givinghimahalfwavethatshehoped theotherswouldn’tsee.Garrett’sgrinwidenedandhewinkedbeforeturningawayandridingbackto theedgeofthering.
    ShelookedforBen,scanningthefacesoftheotherriders,buthewasn’tthere,soshefocusedon Garrett,evenwhenhewasdoingnothingbutwaitinghisturntorideagain.Shesawhimleanoverthe woodenrailingtocallsomeoneover,andthenBenappeared.Dawnfiguredhewashelpingoutwiththe stock.Shedidn’tseeeitherofthemenagainafterthesharpshootersleftthering,andasuddensadness overwhelmedherasitoccurredtoherthatitmightbethelasttimesheeverlaideyesonthem.
    Hermoodhadn’tliftedbythetimeshewalkedintothefarewellpartyinthetownhalllaterthat evening and discovered that they weren’t there either. The guys had known she was at the rodeo and hadn’t made any effort to speak to her afterward, and she’d hoped to see them tonight. Dawn had to assume that they knew she was leaving in the morning and just didn’t care. She looked down at her strapless, pink satin dress, annoyed that she’d gone to so much effort to look nice for two men who obviouslydidn’tcareiftheyneverseteyesonheragain.
    “What’sup?”
    DawnturnedtofaceJen,surprisedtofindtheyweretheonlyonesstillsittingatthediningtable, guessingthattheothersmustbeonthedancefloor.Shefixedabrightsmileonherface.“Nothing,I’m fine.Howareyou?Didyouenjoythetrip?”
    Jen blushed and looked down at her hands. “Yes, it’s been wonderful. I–I wish we could have stayedlonger.”
    “Me,too.”Dawnansweredcarefully,worriedbyherfriend’smood.Wasshehavingdoubtsabout marryingAlan.“It’sbeenfun.”
    “The thought of leaving makes me sad.” Jen’s voice quivered a little. “I’m just being silly, I guess.”
    DawnpickedoneofJen’shandsupfromthetableandshookitgentlyuntilherfriendlookedher intheeye.“Look,Jen.Iwasn’tgoingtosayanythingbut–”
    “Oh my God!” Julie lunged into the gap between them, screeching with barely contained excitement.“They’rehere.”
    “Who?”
    Dawn cast a glance at Jen, a little annoyed that Julie had interrupted their conversation, but Jen lookedasifshe’dsuddenlycheeredup.Dawnsawhersmileatsomeoneacrosstheroom,andshetried toturnandfollowJen’sgazebutcouldn’tseewhoshewaslookingat.
    “Myguys.”
    “Jesus,Dawn.Areyoustillleadingthemaroundbythenose?Haven’tyoudecidedwhichoneof themyouwantyet?”
    JulieshruggedandgaveDawnabrilliantsmile.“Ican’tdecide.They’realltoohandsome.What wouldyoudo?”
    Dawn shrugged, trying to seem blasé about the subject despite the fact Julie’s question had just madeherstomachdrop.“I’msureyou’llfigureitout.”
    “You’vegottodancewithme.”JuliegrabbedJenandDawn’shands,yankingthemtotheirfeet withasurprisingdisplayofstrength.
    “Jesus!Calmdown.”Jenlaughedandrubbedatherwrist.“Younearlytoremyarmoff.”
    “Sorry,I’mjustalittlenervous.”
    DawnstaredatJen,onlytofindherstaringbackandlookingeverybitasamazedasDawnfelt.
    “Sincewhenwereyouevernervous?”
    “Allthetime.Ijustdon’tgoaroundblabbingaboutit,that’sall.”Shecastaquickglanceoverher shoulderinthedirectionoftherapidlyapproachingmen.“Webettermovenow,oritwillbetoolate.”
    DawnandJenfollowedherontothedancefloor,righttothecenterofthecrowdwhereSallyand