Cowgirl Up! by Carolyn Anderson Jones Page A

and Sam retreated to the dressing room while the couple helped the clerks hang the dresses back on the rack.
     
    “I think you’re right, this is the one,” Isabella told Sam with a giggle.
     
    “Oh, that dress is deadly. We might have to register it as a lethal weapon.”
     
    A clerk came in with a black dress.
     
    “Try this on,” she told Sam. “I think you’ll love it!”
     
    Sam pulled the slinky black dress on and stood back. It was exactly what she was looking for. It was above the knee with one bare shoulder and hugged her body like a glove.
     
    She came out of the dressing room to show Isabella.
     
    “Ay, yi yi! That’s it, girlfriend!”
     
    The clerk smiled and nodded her head. Sam turned around and saw a good-looking hunk walking down the aisle checking her out. He walked into a post and fell down. Sam grinned.
     
    “Wrap it up,” she told the sales clerk.
     

Chapter Ten
     
    The night of the fundraiser was warm and gorgeous with a full moon. Sam had on her new slinky black dress. She’d pulled her hair up in a knot on top of her head and a few blond wisps floated softly around her face and neck. Sam was going for the sophisticated and sexy look. Isabella was in her full-length red dress that clung to every inch of her gorgeous body with her long black hair flowing nearly to her waist. Sam sighed. Isabella exuded sexiness without even trying.
     
    They rode together in Isabella’s little black Mustang convertible to the historic Fairview hotel where the event was held each year. After giving the keys to the valet, they wasted no time signing in and heading toward the room where all the auction items were displayed. Hors d’oeuvres were served to them as they began looking over the wonderful array of items. It was like a garage sale at Martha Stewart’s house.
     
    “Wow, here’s a really neat painting that would look great in your den,” Isabella told Sam. It was a beautifully framed watercolor of a black paint horse that was absolutely magnificent.
     
    “Well, the starting bid is $500 so let me have a few more drinks and maybe I’ll consider bidding on it. Shit, what am I saying? I’d have to be stone drunk to bid on it, and even then I couldn’t afford it because all I have is $300 in my checking account until payday.”
     
    “I’m going over to look at the jewelry,” Isabella told Sam and headed across the room.
     
    As Samantha slowly worked her way around studying all the items, she didn’t notice Cheyenne enter the room until he came up to her.
     
    “You vets sure clean up nice,” he said casually as he studied her.
     
    Sam stared at Cheyenne. This was their first meeting since the day she put Brilliante down. The last time she saw him in a tux was at their high school prom. He didn’t look so hot then, but he looked pretty damn good now. Sam took a deep yoga breath and let it out slowly. “Yes, I can actually show up for a dinner without a trace of horse or cow poop on my shoes.”
     
    Cheyenne grabbed two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and gave one to Sam, never taking his eyes off hers. Then he stepped back, grabbed her hand and turned her around slowly, his dark eyes soaking up every inch of her body.
     
    A chill ran down Sam’s back and she suddenly felt very self-conscious.
     
    So this is what it’s like for a man’s eyes to melt to a deep sensuous chocolate, she thought. And hot damn, do I love chocolate!
     
    “Not bad,” Cheyenne said with a smile when she was facing him again.
     
    “How is your stallion doing?” Sam asked. She had to change the subject before he saw her squirm under his gaze.
     
    It worked. Immediately Cheyenne’s face grew serious as he stopped another waiter working the room with a tray of crab puffs. He gave one to Sam and stuffed the other in his mouth.
     
    “He’s completely recovered,” he said after he finished off the puff and emptied his champagne glass. “In another week we’ll be able to start