Free The Pretty Lady and the Cowboy (Songs from the Heart) by Dana Lee

much the safest thing a girl can get into these days.”
    “Why don’t I find that reassuring?” I wondered aloud.
    Our salads arrived and we ate in silence for a while.
    “So what
would
you find reassuring?” she finally asked me.
    “Oh, I don’t know. I’m thinking maybe a room in a convent in some remote village, or maybe a couple of years in a military academy, or maybe just a good old-fashioned ball and chain.”
    She rolled her eyes at me. “Kitty, seriously!”
    So I got serious. “I need to know you’re not turning into an alcoholic.”
    “Hold it right there, Kit. I may have had a few drinks too many a couple of times but I’m not an alcoholic.”
    I desperately wanted to believe that. “Well, how am I supposed to trust you after this?” I asked her.
    Quickly she reached into her purse and pulled out an official-looking document. “I found the perfect apartment off-campus,” she said. “I can move in mid-term—right now if I want. Please, Kitty! If you’ll just sign this contract, I’ll promise to cut back on the booze.”
    “Not good enough. I’m your guardian, and I take that responsibility seriously. You’ll have to promise to give up drinking completely if you want me to sign that.”
    She didn’t hesitate for a second. “Done!” she said, and she pushed the contract and a pen over to my side of the table.
    I wanted her to be happy. Maybe being in a dorm with a bunch of heavy drinkers was the root of her problem. Maybe having a place of her own would make all the difference for her. I picked up the pen and signed.
    “Do not forget,” I said. “
No alcohol
. None. Zip. Zilch. Zero. Not even a Bud Light.” I held out my hand to her. “Promise?”
    “Absolutely,” she assured me, giving my hand a firm shake across the table. Then she stood up.
    “Where are you off to?” I asked. “I was hoping for a little girl talk. I’ve got a hot date tonight and I wanted to tell you all about it.”
    “Gotta run. My next class starts in less than an hour. Thanks so much, Kit. I can’t wait to have my own place.” She stood up, gave me a kiss on the cheek, and headed off toward the bus stop. “Great seeing you,” she called back over her shoulder.
    I looked after her and I wondered just how she had done it. How had my baby sister managed to manipulate me into giving her exactly what she’d been nagging me for since the fall term began? I was sure she knew I loved her. But my parenting score for the day was something like Love 40, Tough Love 0. My signature on the contract was a reward she didn’t deserve, based on nothing more than a promise that could be easily broken. I shook my head thinking about how skillfully she’d worked me. Maybe she’d be a great salesperson someday.
    Or a great con artist.
    I paid our bill and headed back to the store. Well, I was determined to make sure she her kept her promise. Somehow.

Chapter 7
    The Finish Line closes early on Sunday. In fact, by 3:30 all the shops in town except the restaurants and the coffee shop had shut down. I put the dress Jess had generously loaned me into the garment bag and left. I had to get back here by six. Why hadn’t I thought to give Levi the address of my apartment? Nerves, I guess.
    I turned the key in the ignition of my Toyota Camry. Dad owned it for many years before he passed it along to me as a college graduation present and finally bought himself a new car. Ally was always pestering me to get myself a Mini Cooper or a Fiat 500, probably because driving around in a cute little chick car (even one borrowed from her sister) would make her the envy of her friends. But even though the Camry could be a little quirky sometimes, I had no plans to trade it in any time soon, especially now. But I wouldn’t let myself think about my finances. It was date night.
    Anyway, I didn’t need a new car to drive me the short distance to and from work. And sitting in the