Free Escaping Reality (Hart Ranch Book 1) by Rachel Skatvold Page B

little town called Farley Ridge. Addison observed the little shops lining the town square while Belle parked the truck in front of a small restaurant.
    “The interview is in Annette’s Café.” Belle explained. “You can do some shopping until I’m finished if you want.”
    Addison agreed and they went their separate ways. Normally she would have passed by such a sleepy little town. Los Angeles had so many wonderful department stores with designer clothes and this place couldn’t even compete. However, today she actually looked forward to browsing through all the charming little shops.
    Her designer’s heart skipped a beat when she found an antique store.
    A petite elderly woman greeted her at the entrance. “All the items with green tags are fifty percent off.”
    Addison thanked her, grabbed a shopping basket and browsed through the store, admiring the vintage trinkets and furniture. If this store was closer to home she would be grabbing this stuff off the shelves by the armful. It was a designer’s dream. Most of the stores she’d been to around LA didn’t have genuine antiques like this. The pieces were just distressed to look that way.
    She hated passing up so many diamonds in the rough, but reserved herself to just choosing things that would fit in her little basket. They would dress up her rustic cabin while she stayed there.
    After purchasing her treasures and leaving the store a small flash of light caught her eye. She stopped and her eyes darted left and right. Had the paparazzi found her already? Addison didn’t see anyone. Maybe the light had been a reflection from a store window. She swept her worries away and started looking for Belle.
    A few minutes later she found her friend leaning against the truck with a wide grin.
    “How’d the interview go?”
    “Good. I hired her.” Belle nodded toward the plastic bag in Addison’s hand. “I see you found the antique store. Buy anything good?”
    Addison tried to act casual but couldn’t hide the goofy grin on her face as she held up her bag of trinkets. “Yes, too much. I guess now you know one of my weaknesses.”
    Belle chuckled and shook her head.
    “What’s so funny?’
    “Oh, I just figured you’d buy some clothes…maybe something more…um should I say more durable? Since you’ll be staying at the ranch for a few weeks it might be a good idea.”
    Addison glanced down at her designer top and skinny jeans. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. Will you help me? I have no idea what to look for.”
    “Of course. Just follow me.” Belle led her across the street and they headed into a store called Myrtle’s Farm Supply and Outfitters .
    Addison looked around at all the denim, plaid and leather. “Um…Belle? Are you sure about this?”
    Her friend grinned and tugged on her elbow. “Of course. I’m going to transform you into a real cowgirl. You’ll love it. I promise.”
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    As the workweek came to a close, Logan marveled at the change in Addie. Sure he’d been shocked when she came home in the new western wardrobe his sister helped her find, but that wasn’t the only surprising change. Addie and Belle seemed to be attached at the hip. When they weren’t together she spent time talking with Gramps down by the creek or went exploring around the ranch.
    Today he watched from afar as she spent time with a small group that Colton was teaching to lasso a makeshift cow. Addie tried to swing the rope but her arm bumped her cheek and somehow she managed to lasso herself.
    Logan chuckled to himself as Colton helped untangle her from the rope. The cowboy recoiled it and then held Addie’s arm, showing her how to swing the rope correctly. With his help she lassoed the fake cow perfectly. It was innocent—something he’d seen Colton do numerous times before but now it knotted his stomach.
    Before Logan had a chance to think, he’d closed the distance between them and tapped on Colton’s shoulder. “Can I talk to you for a