My Cowboy Prince

Chapter Three

Luke's truck roll to a stop in front of a quaint building nestled at the edge of town. The words Grandma Bea's Bed & Breakfast hang from a sign near a blooming flower garden. The charming house looks like something straight out of a storybook as it bathes in the last golden rays of the setting sun.

"Is this the part where you swallow me whole?" I shoot an amused smile at Luke.

The man looks confused for a moment before his pink lips break out in a mischievous grin. "Nah, I'm 'bout to plump ya up first,"

I feign shock, "no you wouldn't."

"Gimme a week, tops." He laughs as he cuts the engine. "On a serious note. I figured ya might take a likin' to some genuine Texan hospitality, Amelia," he explained, he gestures out to the vast open space. "This here is a mighty special place."

Before I can respond, we step out of the truck. Our boots crunch on the gravel path as we made our way to the expansive front porch adorned by potted plants and a few rocking chairs. The quintessential Bed and Breakfast exterior radiates rustic elegance and warmth, a far cry from my impersonal high-rise apartment back in New York.

A welcoming aroma of freshly baked bread and the hum of soft laughter filled my senses as we enter the building. My eyes scan the rustic but modern interior in awe. An elderly woman manned the front desk wearing an infectious smile and cute blue overalls. Her blue eyes sparkle even more as she spots Luke, showcasing the affection she held for him.

"Luke!" She exclaims dashing around the desk to wrap him in a hug. They hold each other for a moment before her gaze settle on me. "An' who's this lovely lady?"

"This here's Amelia," Luke introduce me, his broad hands settle on my lower back as he guides me forward. "She's a friend from the city."

"Nice to meet ya, Amelia," the woman extends a hand towards me, her grip firm and warm. "I'm Bea, but you can call me Grandma Bea, like everyone else does."

A chuckle escapes my lips, her welcoming demeanor sets me a bit at ease. "Nice to meet you, Grandma Bea."

"Likewise dear," she replies in a kind tone before turning back to Luke. "Didn't ya get them reins for Bandit? What'd Jackie say?"

Luke ran a hand through his dark hair, his eyes hold an apologetic glaze. "I'm afraid I couldn't get to Jackie's, Grandma. Had a bit of an unexpected detour on the way."

He cast a glance my way, his gaze holds a hint of amusement. "Turns out our city girl here had a bit of car trouble out on the back roads. Ya know how it is, Grandma Bea. Just couldn't leave her stranded out there."

My heart flutter a bit at the kind statement. Luke's tone held no regret, despite missing a seemly imporant errand. I am beginning to appreciate the depths of his character, he's quite a charming kindhearted cowboy.

"Oh, I see. No fuss." Grandma Bea gives Luke a soft smile, her eyes filled with understanding. "Well, I'm glad you helped, Luke. We can always rustle up them reins another day. Show's gotta go one way for another. What matters is that Amelia here is safe and sound."

She directs her attention back at me as she reaches over and pats my hand reassuringly. "Darlin' we Texans always look out for each other. I'm just glad Luke was there when you needed a hand."

A wave of gratitude wash over me at her kind words. Even though I am a mere stranger here in this town, in this whole state, I am slowly beginning to feel right at home.

Grandma Bea excused herself to go seek and arrange a room for me. As soon as she's out of earshot, I turn to Luke with my eyebrows raised. "You didn't mention I'd be staying with your grandmother, Luke."

A sheepish look crosses his feature as he lets out a chuckle. "Just aimin' to give ya a real-deal experience plus, Grandma Bea whips up the best breakfast in Texas. You're in for a real treat."

A hearty laugh escapes my lips at Luke's declaration of his grandma's culinary prowess. "I'll hold you to that, Luke."

He only winks in response. We both stare at each other, a promise hanging in the air between us.

Bea returns just in time, holding a key with a warm smile. "Your room is up them upstairs, darlin'. Second door on the right. Why don't ya freshen up a bit? I reckon you're all fired up to head over to the festival."

Grateful, I thank Bea and made my way to the room welcoming the distraction. I push open oak door and step into the room. The charming and cozy place felt instantly welcoming. The space seems strongly of pine wood, cookies and the great outdoors. This setup is perfect.

I look around a bit before spotting a pair khaki shorts, a plaid tshirt and cowboy boots laid out on the edge of a couch.

Grandma Bea must have left these here.

I touch the rough leather of the boot as my mind run a million miles per minute. How could I left my suitcase in the rental? I guess it doesn't matter now as I have no clothes that would suit such a momentous occasion. Most things I carried are not suited for a strikingly hot weather.

My eyes dart out to small balcony, stars are already forming in the sky. From here I can hear the town's excitement grow with every passing minute. "The festival... I need to get ready."

A quick freshening up later, I find myself looking at my reflection through the antique mirror. I have decided to wear the outfit minus the plaid shirt, I instead choose to keep on my plain tee with the word Texan sprawled across the front. Suprisingly my slick back afro is still in tack and not frizzed out by the heat.

"Should be good," I mutter before exiting the door.

Descending the staircase, I find Luke waiting for me at the bottom. His wide brimmed cowboy hat held casually in his hands. "Ready to hit the road, city girl?" He ask, his tone teasing but his eyes remain soft.

"All set, cowboy," I meet his teasing tone with one of my own. The shared smile between us spoke volumes, a shared anticipation for the evening to come.

I caught Luke's gaze as it travels down to my legs, a flicker of surprise - or was it admiration? - briefly cross his features. His eyes holds mine for a second, a silent communication passing between us before he clears his throat, breaking the moment.

He then saunters over, a purpose in his stride. He gently remove his hat and place it on my head, a playful grin lighting up his face. His fingers lightly brush against my curls as he adjust it. The simple touch ignites a strange flutter in my stomach.

"Now you're all set to go, city girl," he declares, stepping back to admire his handiwork. His voice hold a note of teasing pride that reflects in his eyes regard me.

The hat is a bit oversized so its rim cast a shadow over my eyes. Unable to contain the ridiculousness of it all, I burst out in laughter. "This is absurd,"

He looks stun for a while. "Oh, do ya want me to take it back?"

"No," I shake my head a little as I sober up. "Let's go,"

As we left the B&B, stepping out into the cool Texan night, the distant sounds of the festival reached our ears. Laughter, music, and the hum of countless conversations quickly filled the air, building up the anticipation.

Under the stars, walking side by side with Luke, I can feel an adventure unfurling ahead of us.

Under the canopy of the twinkling Texas stars, we stroll towards the heart of the town, the growing noise and energy of the festival draw us in like a magnet. As we neared, the dim outlines of stalls, stages, and people dressed in classic cowboy attire began to take shape.

"It's an annual tradition," Luke explain, his voice carrying above the cacophony of noise. "The here Cowboy Festival, it ain't just a celebration; It's a tribute to our history, our way of livin'."

Pride much evident in his voice, and it mades me appreciate the experience even more. This isn't just about fun and festivities; it is a look into a culture that holds its history and traditions close to its heart.

The festival ground is alive with laughter, conversations, and music. The air is quiet thick with the smell of barbeque and sweet pies, all the food stalls attract a large crowd of people paying for a bite to eat. Country music floats in the air, setting a rhythmic backdrop to the lively atmosphere.

What caught my eye though is a large stage set up in the middle of the grounds. It is lit up beautifully, drawing attention from most of the people around. I notice a few gathering in front of the stage, their excitement palpable. I'm definitely jotting this down in my journal as soon as I get my hands back on it.

"Luke, there y'are." A redhead sashay up to us. As the womanpl fully emerges from the dense crowd, my gaze instinctively follow her. She is striking, a woman who commands attention even amidst the bustling festival.

Her attire is very fitting for the occasion, a blend of country and chic that accentuated her lean figure. The soft glow of the twinkling lights above us caught in her fiery hair, making it seem like she had a halo of flames. Her brown eyes held an intense gaze as they shamelessly rove over Luke.

"Luke Anderson," the Texan woman drawls, her voice as attention-grabbing as her appearance. She seems to have an aura around her that drew people in, a certain magnetism that is hard to ignore. "Been scouring all over for ya."

As she latches onto Luke, I couldn't help but notice the familiarity with which she hole him. It speake of a history, a connection that predated my entrance into Luke's life. His reaction, however, speaks volumes. He wasn't uncomfortable, but there is a deliberate distance, a boundary he is mindful not to cross.

Observing Kimberly, I feel a twinge of curiosity. Who was she to Luke? And more importantly, what did her presence mean for me in this Texan adventure? The night is still young, and it seems like it holds many more surprises.

"Kimberly," Luke responds, his voice steady as he gently pries her hand from his body. "Yeah, I know. I was a little distracted earlier."

"By what?" she asks, her tone bordering on the edge of impatience. "Tonight's the big night, Luke. You gotta focus."

There was defeaning silence for a while before Kimberly's eyes fall on me, a flicker of recognition passing through them. Luke's hat is currently sitting on my head. I flush with embarrassment at the thought. "Oh I see,"

Luke releases a heavy sigh beside me as he rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. The sudden tension is very palpable, the cheerful noise of the festival seems to gradually fade into the background.

"Kimberly..." he begins, but she cut him off with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"It's fine, Luke," she interject, her tone clip. "I understand. You were playin' the knight in shining armor... again."

Her words stung, but I keep my gaze steady, refusing to show any signs of discomfort. Luke remain silent, his jaw tightening as he holds Kimberly's glare.

"Kim let's just focus on tonight," he says in a firm voice after a few moments. "I'll see you soon,"

"Better," with one last nasty gaze the woman disappear into the crowd.

A myriad of emotions swirl within me at her rude departure. Confusion, anger, and an unexpected twinge of insecurity all bubble inside me making my heart feel heavy.

What the f**k just happened?

"Ready for the main event?" Luke ask bringing me out of my daze. He gesture towards the big stage.

"The main event?" I echo, my curiosity piqued as I shake off the unpleasant encounter. She's just a tiny rotten part of a whole good bunch. I've dealt with countless superficial and nasty people like her, I refuse to let thar faze me.

"The cowboy show, Amelia," His blue eyes twinkle with excitement. "It's the star of the festival."

As Luke leads me towards the stage, my heart pound with anticipation. The night is only beginning, and it promise a spectacle I would remember for a lifetime.

The crowd hush immediately as the stage lights dim and a spotlight now focuses on the center.

The silence that blanketed the crowd was short-lived. Suddenly, a man emerges into the spotlight, his cowboy hat low on his forehead and the silver buckle of his belt glint under the stage lights. A collective cheer erupt from the crowd at his entrance.

The cowboy, carefully mounts a magnificent chestnut horse then tip his hat to the crowd, acknowledging their cheers with a confident smile. He then guides his horse through a series of complex moves, a dance of sorts that is as breathtaking as it is captivating. The crowd clap and cheer him on, their enthusiasm fuelling his performance. As the man performance comes to an end, he bows to the crowd atop his horse earning deafening applauses.

Soon after the spotlight shifted again to reveal a silhouette. My breath hitch in anticipation as another man enters the stage. Luke fully emerges under the soft glow of the stage lights. His cowboy attire, worn with an effortless charm, embodies the pride of Texas, making him look every bit a part of this vibrant culture.

A series of cheers resound from the audience, their excitement clear as the clapping pierce through the evening air. Amidst the applause, Luke tip his hat in my direction and send a quick wink my way before his full attention return to his performance.

With a horse by his side, Luke begins his act. Each movement is a showcase of skill, grace, and raw strength, telling a tale deeply woven into the Texan fabric. As he conclude his performance, the crowd erupt in even more cheers. The raw look of unadulterated joy on his face is a true testament to the love he holds for his heritage.

The applause dies down a bit but the show seems far from over. Moments later the fiery redhead from earlier steps into the spotlight. A fresh wave of cheers ring out in the Texas night air as Kimberly joins Luke on the stage, it seems as if they are the closing act for the night.

Despite the earlier tension, their performance is a seamless blend of expertise and artistry. Their shared history evident in their synchrony, they move with an innate understanding of each other as they display a sensual layer of depth to the show.

Not longer the show concludes in a dramatic pose as they balance each other on the horses back. Luke and Kimberly take their final bows and exit the stage earning roars of applause which slowly dies down as the crowd then begins to disperse. People break off in groups as they move to enjoy the rest of the festival's attractions, their excited chatter fill the night air.

Just as I am about to join the throng of festival-goers, a familiar figure reappeared in my line of sight — Luke. Still dressed in his fancy cowboy attire, he make his way towards me through the crowd. His blue eyes meets mine and a slow smile spread across his face.

"Did the show tickle ya fancy, city girl?" The man ask, his voice warm as he tip his hat at me. The playful twinkle in his eyes is very hard to miss.

"Yes, most definitely. You were amazing out there, Luke," I say in a sincere tone. Seeing him on the stage, performing with such passion and skill had been truly remarkable. It is a sight I know would stay with me long after the festival ends.

"Well ain't that somethin'. Now let's get a move on." His voice then drop to a conspiratorial whisper as he extends an arm out at to the bustling fairgrounds. "Promised ya an adventure, didn't I?"

Luke lead me through the thrumming heart of the festival, his warm presence acting as a comforting constant amidst the energy and excitement. Our laughter echo around the lively fairgrounds, mingling with cheerful conversations and the lively tunes of the local bands.

We indulge in the flavorful offerings of Texan cuisine as we stop at various food stalls. The smoky aroma of barbecued meats waft through the air, tempting us to try everything from tender briskets to spicy sausages. Sweet treats were aplenty too, with stalls selling everything from sugary funnel cakes to honey-drizzled cornbread. I tried everything before moving onto to play some games.

We tries our hands at several fair games, our friendly competition leading to roars of laughter. Luke's skill at horseshoe tossing earned him a stuffed horse which he graciously gifted to me. My cheeks flush at the wholesome moment.

We even ventured to the dance area, where local bands plays foot-tapping country music. Luke's guiding hand lead me through the steps of a basic two-step until I found myself swaying and twirling to the rhythm. Every single moment is magical, the stars above us twinkle as the music fills the air, our laughter a sweet melody of its own.

As the festival reach its zenith, we found ourselves perched on a board fence on the outskirts of the gathering. The sounds of celebration dwindle into a soothing hum. The scene before us - the vibrant fairground alive with joyous people, the sparkling decorations cast a soft glow on the festivities, and the endless Texan sky filled with brilliant stars brings a genuine smile to my face.

"It's magical, isn't it?" Luke whispers to know one in particular. His voice is barely audible over the noise of the festival but I had caught onto every word. His eyes, reflecting the radiant starlight, are fixed on the panorama before us.

He lightly brushes against my hand as he adjusts his foot on the fence, the mere action however sends a jolt through my body. I nod, my voice lost in the wave of raw emotion that washes over me. My eyes flick to the vast Texas sky as a thought cross my mind.

What if this is the beginning of an incredible story - perhaps our story. A story between the motivated City Girl and the charming Cowboy. If that's the case I guess I'll have to stick around to see how it ends. I did come seeking a thrilling adventure after all.

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Thanks for reading!

Kellisa Kelly