CHAPTER 36

“Of course, I never could share that little secret fantasy with Steve. To be the focus of the attention of two men? Yeah, sign me up.”

“Hello?” Cash said through the screen door. “I hear voices, you guys in here?”

Gemma froze. Her panicked gaze flew to Channing’s. Had he been eavesdropping on their conversation?

“Yeah. Come on in, Cash,” Channing said.

He sidled in, pausing just inside the door, practically wringing his black Stetson in his rough-skinned hands.

“What’s up?”

“Just wonderin’ if you gals were thinkin’ about goin’ to the opening dance tonight?”

Gemma opened her mouth to object but Channing shot her an arch look. “Yes, we are. Why?”

“Colby had two tickets and he sent me over here to give ‘em to you.”

Channing bit back the urge to ask if Colby had given Cash the two tickets because he didn’t plan on attending tonight with her. “Thanks.

Are you going?”

“I reckon I’ll pop in for a bit.” Cash stared hard at Gemma. “You will be dancin’ with me, Gem. Don’t try to hide because I’