The Ashtons - Cole, Abigail & Megan

pathetically hopeful, but she didn’t care. Despite what she’d told Mercedes about not having time for a man in her life or a long-distance relationship, she couldn’t bear the idea of never seeing Russ again.
    He gave her a quick kiss, then, grinning, reached for the driver’s side door handle. “I have a feeling I’m going to be logging a lot of frequent-flyer miles in the near future, honey.”
    Abby’s heart skipped several beats, and she couldn’t believe how relieved she felt knowing Russ wanted them to continue seeing each other after she returnedhome. When he opened the passenger door, she got out of the truck and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “I’m going to hold you to that, cowboy.”
    “I’d rather you hold me against you,” he said, pulling her to him. He kissed her until they both gasped for breath, then, stepping back, took her hand in his. “I think we’d better walk over to the dance before I forget I’m supposed to be a gentleman.”
    She could tell the toll that all of their recent togetherness was taking on Russ. And, for that matter, the weekend hadn’t been all that easy for her, either.
    When she’d come to California to see why her uncle Grant had extended his stay, she hadn’t counted on finding someone special. But from the moment she met Russ, something inside of her—something she hadn’t even known existed—had come to life. In his arms, she felt confident and in control, and with his help, she’d realized that she was nothing like her mother.
    Glancing up at his handsome face as they walked toward the building where the dance was being held, she knew beyond a shadow of doubt that her first instincts about him had been right on the money. Russ Gannon was trustworthy and honorable and the only man she’d ever met who came close to having the unwavering integrity she so admired in her uncle Grant.
    “Hey, Russ!” A cowboy wearing a black Resistolwith a hawk’s feather in the hat band waved to them from a table on the far side of the room.
    Russ acknowledged the man with a nod of his head as he guided her toward the table. “There’s J. B. Gardner. He said he and his wife, Nina, would save us a couple of seats.”
    As they walked toward the couple, Abby recognized the petite blonde as one of the women she’d seen sitting in the stands of the arena during the day’s events.
    “I’d just about given up on you, Russ,” J.B. said, standing up when they approached.
    Making the introductions, Russ held her chair while Abby seated herself at the table. Then, leaning close, he asked, “What would you like to drink, honey?”
    A shiver of need streaked through her at the feel of his warm breath on her sensitive skin. “Cola will be fine.”
    Watching Russ and J.B. walk toward the makeshift bar someone had set up on the other side of the room, Abby couldn’t help but smile. He might make wine for a living, but Russ was a cowboy through and through. His shoulders were wide, his hips narrow. But it was his cowboy swagger that made her heart skip a beat and caused a hitch in her breathing.
    “I see you like watching Russ as much as I love watching J.B.,” Nina said, smiling.
    Abby nodded. “It is a nice view, isn’t it?”
    Laughing, both women looked at each other for amoment before Nina spoke again. “Do you know how many women’s hearts you’ve broken here tonight?”
    Thoroughly confused by her statement, Abby frowned. “I don’t understand.”
    Nina pointed to several women around the room. “See how they’re all watching Russ?”
    Looking around the room, Abby noticed several women’s gazes following him.
    When she nodded, Nina went on. “They’ve had their sights set on Russ for years, but he never seemed to notice.” She smiled. “You’re the first woman he’s ever brought with him to a rodeo.”
    “Really?” A warmth she couldn’t explain coursed through Abby.
    “They’d all love to be in your boots right now,” Nina said, nodding. Stopping, she grinned. “Or should I say out of them later tonight?”
    Abby felt her cheeks grow warm. Before she could think of something to say, the conversation was cut short when someone cranked up the volume on a CD player and several couples walked out onto the improvised dance floor.
    “J.B., you big, handsome stud, they’re playing our song,” Nina said loudly when Russ and the other man walked back over to the table. “What are you gonna do about it?”
    “I’m gonna dance with the