The Cougar and the Cowboy

“Well unless your novel has elements of hunting, fishing or riding, I probably won’t be interested. Although, if there’s the right amount of romance and the right kind, I might buy a copy.”

“I’ll let you know when it’s published…if that’s before I die.”

They both laughed at that. Then he surprised her with an invitation. “Camille, I’ve been thinking…since we’ve both been working our fingers to the bone today, how about I pick you up later and we grab a burger and a beer? We can go to the place I was telling you about when you first got here. It’s called The Branding Iron. You’ll not only love the food but the customers, as well.”

She hesitated for only a second. She was tired of being at the house by herself and still feeling a tiny bit of jealousy about Allie and Will. Maybe this was what she needed.

“Yes, I accept your invite but on two conditions. First, we each pay our own way and second, I have an unorthodox favor to ask.”

“Shoot,” he said with a quizzical look.

“I know you know my name is Camille but for anonymity while I’m here, I would like you to call me Emily. Please? I am sort of hiding from my friends, my colleagues and relatives. For me to be able to concentrate solely on this book, with no distractions, I needed to go into hiding, if you will.”

“Sure,” he told her. “I’ll call you any name you want. My memory isn’t the absolute best, so maybe I’ll play it safe and just call you Darlin’ or something I’m sure you’d find equally revolting. How’s that?”

“It’s a deal,” she laughed. “Now tell me, do I get to wear my new jeans and boots tonight or is this a more formal place?”

/> “Believe me, it’s not formal. Jeans and boots sound good. I’ll pick you up around seven.”

Collier thought about their conversation on his way home. Something wasn’t quite right but he couldn’t put his finger on it…yet. He understood the whole thing about needing to be alone to write and even changing your name for the new people you’d meet, but he also thought changing a name on a driver’s license was a bit extreme.

CHAPTER 19

“SO, HOW’S THE magazine handling the driving force, also known as Camille, being gone?” Will asked Allie as they waited in line for a table at her favorite restaurant.

“We’re handling everything that needs to be taken care of,” she answered.

“I’m sure you are. I hope she’s giving you a huge bonus, Allie. After all, what would she have done if she didn’t have you to take over in her absence?”

Allie brushed it off, “Oh it’s nothing. I know she appreciates everything we’re all doing. When I spoke to her yesterday, she seemed to be working diligently. We all have a stake in the success of the magazine, you know.”

Their table was ready. They followed the hostess and ordered. While they ate their meal, Allie asked, “Have you ever been married, Will?”

He hesitated long enough she thought he either didn’t hear her or didn’t want to answer. Finally, he said, “Yes, I have. We were both in college, we were young and in love.” He smiled ruefully. “We were also naïve and a little bit stupid.”

“If it’s too painful, you don’t have to tell me about it.”

“It was a long time ago, Allie. There’s no pain associated with it any longer. We allowed some outside forces to come between us…ambition, a pushy parent, lack of employment and a few other things.”

“You know, you and Camille have a lot in common. When we spoke about our younger lives one night and I asked if she had ever been married, she told me almost the same thing.”

Will nodded then checked his watch. “We need to hurry if we’re going to make the opening curtain at the theater.”

There was no more discussion of Camille or the magazine until they were enjoying a drink after the performance.

“I’ve been wanting to tell you something and ask you something Allie. I’m going to be out of town for a month or more.” He took her hand as he said, “I’m really, really going to miss our dates. You’re different from any woman I’ve ever dated and I mean that…truly. You have a wide range of interests and you’re easy to talk to. I feel very comfortable when I’m with you.”

She felt the color rising in her cheeks. ‘Like an adolescent schoolgirl,’ she thought.

“I feel comfortable with you too. Thanks for the compliment. You said you wanted to ask me something?”

‘Please, please ask me to come home with you and spend the night with you, Will.’

“Yes, I do. As I said, I will be gone for a while and I can’t leave the house empty for that long without at least telling Camille…so I wondered if I could persuade you to give me her new phone number. I won’t share it with anyone but I need to explain to her that I’m leaving.”

Allie’s eyes opened wide but no words came out of her mouth. ‘You rotten SOB. All these dates and flattery and making me believe you wanted me and instead you want a freaking phone number?’

She reined in her thoughts and politely told him, “I’m sorry, Will but I can’t give you that. You’ll have to try to find someone else to get it from. However, no one else knows it, so that might be difficult. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to call a cab. Enjoy the rest of your drink.” She placed some cash on the table. “That’s for my share of the evening. Oh, and please don’t call me again.”