Millionaire in a Stetson by Barbara Dunlop Read Free Book Online Page B

Come on. Tell me what happened in the bushes.”
    “Nothing happened in the bushes,” Niki answered honestly, feigning an intense interest in the wedding photo.
    “Ha,” Katrina crowed. “Then it happened in the river. What happened in the river?”
    “Fine,” Niki huffed. Over the past few months, she’d learned it was safest to stick as close to the truth as possible. The fewer lies she told, the easier it was to keep her story straight. “He kissed me.”
    Katrina’s grin widened with glee. “Like how?”
    “Like, with his lips.”
    “On your lips.”
    “You are so nosey.”
    “I’m the closest thing you have to a sister. Of course I’m nosey.”
    “On the lips,” Niki admitted.
    “Was it good?”
    “It was great.” Niki couldn’t hold back an involuntary sigh.
    “But?” Katrina prompted.
    “I don’t think it was that great for him.”
    Katrina settled next to Niki on the wooden crate. “Why on earth would you think that?”
    “Because he said so.”
    Katrina drew back. “He kissed you, and then he told you he didn’t like it?”
    “He said it was, and I’m quoting here, ‘average.’”
    “Wait a minute.” Katrina gave her head a little shake. “Walk me through that conversation.”
    “In detail?” Niki was taken aback by the request.
    “Yes, in detail. How else am I going to give you my best sisterly advice?”
    “This can’t really be the way sisters talk.”
    “Yes, it is. And I have two of them. So, I’m the expert.”
    Niki was forced to concede that point. “Fine. He said pain and fear produce intense emotions, and that’s why I thought it was a great kiss. Then he said he thought it was an average kiss.”
    Katrina’s shoulders drooped, and she looked slightly deflated. “Oh.”
    “Yeah,” Niki agreed. “I guess I’m not like you.”
    “Not like me how?”
    “Sexy. Stunningly gorgeous, charming and kind. The type of woman who produces intense, undying love in the man of your dreams.”
    “You are, too,” Katrina put in staunchly.
    But Niki shook her head.
    “I don’t know what’s wrong with that Sawyer Smith. You are stunningly gorgeous.”
    “And you’re also very sweet. Which only helps prove my point about you.”
    Katrina scrutinized Niki’s face. “I can’t believe you don’t know you’re beautiful. People must have been telling you that all your life. Do you think they were lying?”
    “I think they were seeing the clothes, the jewelry, the makeup and hair styling.”
    Katrina scoffed, “That’s ridiculous.”
    “My mom did okay for money,” said Niki, again sticking as close to the truth as she dared. “And she knew how to do glam. She went to a lot of expense to make me look pretty.”
    “And now that you’re here? In your dusty blue jeans and your wrinkled T-shirt. What’s your excuse now?”
    “I rest my case. Sawyer characterized my kiss as average. I’m nothing special without the makeover.”
    “Let’s ask Reed.”
    Niki burst out laughing. “He’s my brother. He’s your husband. What’s he supposed to say?”
    “He’ll tell the truth.”
    “Honestly, Katrina. You grew up in New York City, how can you not know that men will lie to humor the woman they love? Or that they want to sleep with? Or to avoid an argument? Or really for any old reason at all?”
    “Reed better not be humoring me,” Katrina growled.
    “He’s not. But with me, I guarantee he would be. He wouldn’t hurt my feelings for anything.”
    “Okay, Caleb, then.”
    “He’s still my brother. Honestly, Katrina, this really isn’t a big—”
    “Travis.”
    Niki stopped.
    “Travis is single,” said Katrina. “And trust me, he’s been brutally honest with me my entire life.” She paused, her mind obviously speeding toward a conclusion.
    “That’s it.” Katrina snapped her fingers. “Travis is single.”
    Niki’s stomach lurched. “Oh, no.”
    “Oh, yes. It’s a brilliant idea. You and Travis.”
    “You and your sister are married to my