Wrangling Cupid's Cowboy. Amanda Renee

Harlan began, pulling him out of his thoughts. “I’ll see what I can find out and let you know. How’s it going at Silver Bells this week?”

      “Better. I think I’m finally getting to know everyone’s names and what they do. I need to get creative on where we can save on the renovations. I think the biggest savings will be in sweat equity and bartering. Maybe a week or weekend at the ranch in exchange for services rendered.”

      “That’s a great idea. I did quite a bit of that when I built the rescue center.” Belle’s Forever Ranch opened last year on the other side of their property. The nonprofit rescued animals and provided desperately needed medical care. Once they were rehabilitated, they helped give comfort to abused and neglected children who had suffered similar fates. “I can give you some of my construction contacts. Maybe they can help you, too.”

      “I’d appreciate that, thank you.” Garrett poured a cup of coffee and sat across from Belle at the table. She had the patience of a saint and didn’t coddle Bryce the way his mother-in-law had. Dawn had blamed his messy eating on Rebecca’s death, and she’d taken to spoon-feeding him at every meal over the past three years. Garrett had repeatedly asked her not to, but she insisted on feeding him the way Rebecca had. His son had been sixteen months when Rebecca passed. It didn’t matter that he’d grown old enough to eat by himself.

      “Dylan told me you and Delta had dinner together last night.” Harlan grabbed another dish towel from the drawer and set it on the table for Belle. “I really like her. I’m glad you’re getting out.”

      “You’re seeing Delta?” Belle’s face lit up brighter than the sun on the horizon. “Just in time for Valentine’s Day. She is so nice. I can’t even begin to tell you how much she’s done for my rescues.”

      “Whoa!” Garrett pushed away from the table, almost taking his coffee with him. “I am not seeing Delta. I made that clear to Dylan last night. Let’s not perpetuate that rumor.”

      “Calm down, bro.” Harlan wiped up the coffee that sloshed onto the table. “No need to get all defensive. I’m just telling you what Dylan told me. But if you enjoy being around one another, why not see where it goes.”

      “Because I’m married.” Garrett hated that people automatically assumed that because his wife died the marriage was over. Maybe it was in the eyes of the law, but it wasn’t for him. He’d always hated the phrase “’til death do us part.” He didn’t believe in it and had asked the minister to remove it from their wedding vows fifteen years ago. They vowed to love each other for all eternity instead, and he would never break that promise, even though she had told him she hoped he would find someone new one day. There wasn’t room in his heart to love another woman. “We’re just friends.”

      “Okay, fine.” Harlan shrugged at Belle. “Just make sure she knows that.”

      “Of course she does.” Garrett shook his head. “I didn’t even know she would be at the Iron Horse when I went there. I saw her at the bar, and we ate a meal together. It’s not like I asked her out.” Garrett froze, remembering his earlier conversation with Delta. “Oh, no.”

      “What’s wrong?” Belle asked.

      “I think I accidentally asked Delta out to dinner.”

      Harlan slapped his brother on the back and laughed. “The heart wants what the heart wants.”

      Garrett closed his eyes. This couldn’t be happening. How could he have been so cavalier with his dinner invite? Maybe she hadn’t taken it that way. He replayed the conversation in his mind. What exactly had he said? Something along the lines of wanting to take her to dinner. Shit! He had asked her out and hadn’t even realized it. He scrubbed his hands down his face. He needed to straighten that out and fast.