The Texas Rancher's Vow. Cathy Thacker Gillen

didn’t want to see that happen to her and Matt.

      She wanted at the very least for them to get to know each other and form a solid friendship.

      And she knew Matt wanted that, too.

      Whether they would be lasting friends remained to be seen.

      Aside from each losing a parent, they might find out they had little in common save sexual chemistry. And if that was the case, well, their fascination with each other would probably fade.

      In the meantime, what she needed to do was spend as much time working and as little time alone with Matt as possible.

      The first order of business was the photo printing shop in town.

      She’d already scanned the pictures on to her computer, so it was a simple matter to get them printed the way she wanted. From there, she went to the Lockhart Boutique on Main Street.

      The dress salon was busy. A young actress was getting fitted for an awards show scheduled for later in the summer. A bride and her attendants were trying to select bridesmaid dresses—not easy, when there were so many gorgeous gowns and styles to choose from. Another young woman was trying to pick out a gown for the West Texas Ranchers Association summer gala.

      Learning Jen was there for the same reason, the striking brunette introduced herself. “So you’re the artist Matt has been talking about.”

      Jen made a face. “Good or bad?”

      She laughed, as if that was a silly question. “All good, of course.” She extended her hand. “I’m Emily McCabe-Reeves, owner of the Daybreak Café across the street.”

      Jen had heard of her, too. She turned around, checking out in the three-way mirror the turquoise gown she was trying on. “Luz told me that’s the one place in town I’ve got to be sure to visit.”

      Emily stepped up to have a look at the grass-green gown she had on. “You should visit us, too. My husband, Dylan, and I have a ranch not too far from the Triple B. The Last Chance Ranch for troubled horses.”