her niece’s shoulder, even as her gaze remained fixed on the door.
“Everyone.” Wendy spoke loudly above the conversational din. “The waiters have appetizers and beverages for you in the party room. The buffet is in the process of being set up. Please make your way down the hall.”
“Thank you, dear,” Josephine said. “I’m sorry you can’t stay.”
“Next time,” Wendy began.
“Honey, we’re late.” Marcos took his wife’s arm.
After offering Josephine a quick hug, Wendy hurried off with her husband and daughter, stopping for a second where Shannon stood speaking with a couple Oliver didn’t recognize. Locals, he decided, noticing the denim and boots.
His mother surprised him by calling Shannon’s name and motioning to her when she began to head out the door with Wendy and Marcos. When Shannon sauntered over, Josephine took one of her hands. “I fear I didn’t make it clear—I’d love for you to join us.”
“C’mon, Shannon, join us. Please.” Gabi had returned. She slanted a glance at Oliver. “Shannon made me feel so welcome when I came to stay in Horseback Hollow last year after my father’s accident.”
Clearly, the two women were friends. Still, Shannon hesitated. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“You’re not intruding.” Oliver’s gaze locked on hers. “You’re very much wanted.”
* * *
You’re very much wanted.
What was there about the sentiment, said in that delightful British accent, that made her want to giggle like a nervous schoolgirl? The words echoed in her head, even as Shannon gestured to Rachel that she’d call her later. Her friend smiled and nodded, then refocused her attention back on the cowboy who was eating the last nacho.
While Ollie remained tightly clutched in his grandmother’s arms, Shannon strolled with Oliver down a wide hallway to a large room that resembled the inside of a Mexican hacienda. It had arched doorways, stucco walls of bold red and spicy mustard and a tile floor that complemented the warmth of the walls.
Oliver slanted a sideways glance. “It was fortuitous, running into you here.”
“Fortuitous for me.” Shannon shot him an impish smile. “I’m getting dinner out of the deal.”
“And I will have the pleasure of your company,” Oliver said gallantly.
“You’re going to be sick of me very soon,” she teased with an ease that surprised her. “Underfoot practically 24/7.”
“I’ll be working a lot of hours,” he said seriously. “Our contact will likely be minimal.”
Shannon pulled back a scowl. He didn’t have to sound so doggone pleased at the prospect. “Hopefully you’ll carve out some time to play with Ollie.”
Surprise flashed in his eyes. “Entertaining him, keeping him safe and tending to his needs will now be your job.”
Before she could formulate a response, she was handed a margarita and Oliver was swept away.
Though Shannon hadn’t done much socializing with the British branch of the Fortunes who’d recently arrived in Horseback Hollow, she’d grown up with Jeanne Marie’s children. There were seven of them and they were all here tonight, as was Josephine’s sister, Jeanne Marie.
Shannon mingled, accepting an empanada appetizer from a passing waiter before taking a seat at a table with Gabi and Kinsley Aaron. Kinsley was the outreach coordinator for the Fortune Foundation and engaged to Christopher Fortune Jones.
Since both women were set to be wed on Valentine’s Day, bridal talk dominated the conversation and continued after they went through the buffet line and sat down with their plates of food.
Oliver stood across the room, caught up in conversation with his brother-in-law, Quinn Drummond. Back in middle school, Shannon had the hugest crush on Quinn. When she was thirteen she’d gathered the courage to ask him to a turnabout dance.
When both Quinn and Oliver turned to look at her, Shannon smiled and wiggled her fingers in a semblance of a wave, praying Quinn wasn’t relaying to Oliver the awful story of how she’d awkwardly asked him out.
Abruptly she turned to Gabi and bared her teeth as her gaze flickered. “All clear?”
Gabi swallowed a bite of salad. “Perfect. Why?”
“Just checking.” Shannon glanced at Gabi’s chicken taco salad; heavy on romaine, light on cheese, no tortilla bowl. “How’s the salad?”
“Delicious.” Gabi smiled. “What about the enchiladas?”
“Truly out of this world.” Shannon took another bite, savoring the taste. “You should try one.”
The suggestion was out before she remembered Gabi was committed to eating nutritionally. Looking at her, it was hard to believe Gabi had needed a heart transplant when she was nineteen.
“This will fill me up, thanks.” Gabi flashed an easy smile and gestured to where Oliver now stood speaking with his sister, Amelia. “Give me your take on Oliver.”
Though she and Gabi were currently alone—Kinsley had joined her fiancé at another table—Shannon didn’t immediately answer. “What do you mean?”
“You must like him well enough to go to work for him, to live with him.”
“I think our business arrangement will work out well for both of us.” Shannon chose her words carefully, knowing whatever she said stood a good chance of getting back to Oliver.
Jude was his cousin, after all. And Gabi didn’t seem the type to have secrets from her fiancé.
“I’m asking what you think of him as a man.” Gabi waggled a fork at Shannon. Her dark eyes sparkled. “Admit it. Doesn’t that sexy accent make you want to swoon?”
“Who are you swooning over, Gabrielle?” Jude appeared out of nowhere to plop down in the chair Kinsley had recently vacated. “Before you answer, let me warn you that it better be me.”
He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.
“Sorry, Charlie.” Gabi wrinkled her nose, her tone teasing. “Your cousin Oliver’s accent has us both swooning. Isn’t that right, Shannon?”
“That’s a kick in the shorts.” Though he tried to look stern, Jude failed miserably. Once he got the smile that kept trying to form on his lips under control, he turned and called out, “Oliver, get your ass over here.”
Oliver merely glanced over at the sound of his name.
Jude made an impatient “come here” motion with his hand.
After a few final words to his sister, Oliver strode over.
“He was speaking with Amelia.” Shannon had a sinking feeling she knew why Jude
