Fortune's June Bride (Mills & Boon Cherish) (The Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country, Book 6) by Allison Leigh Page B

muttered. “Why couldn’t she just take her perfect two-point-five children to the freaking petting zoo?”
    Galen looked back, too, to see what had her so agitated. All he saw was the usual line of people waiting outside Olde Tyme and several families moseying around shop windows. “Who are you talking about?”
    “Roselyn,” she said through her teeth. Her cheeks looked flushed. “The moment I saw her in the audience, I wanted to bolt. I swear, she’s like a dog with a bone. Acting all sweet and nice when she has to know I’m not buying it for one second.”
    Genuinely curious, he glanced back again.
    “Oh, sheesh. Don’t
look
.” Aurora’s fingers dug into his arm.
    “Aurora, Aurora McElroy!” One voice in particular separated itself from the general noise and Galen finally saw the dark-haired pregnant woman shoving a stroller ahead of her as she approached. “How could you not see me waving at you back there?”
    “So close to escape. Yet so far away.” Aurora finally sighed and let go of Galen’s arm.
    She obviously meant the backstage gate that was only a few paces away.
    “This is humiliating,” she said under her breath. “Whatever she says, just go with it, okay? I’ll make it up to you somehow.”
    He frowned, but she was already turning to face the oncoming woman with a wooden smile. “Sorry, Roselyn. You know how an audience disappears when you’re onstage.”
    Roselyn finally reached them and she pressed the flat of her hand against her chest. “Mercy, I am out of breath chasing after you. Why didn’t you mention you were performing in a little show here?”
    Galen could feel Aurora stiffening beside him. “I didn’t really have—”
    Roselyn didn’t let her finish, though. She’d pulled off her glasses and was giving Galen a head-to-toe look that made him feel sort of like a side of beef being examined by the butcher. “And playing opposite your own real-life husband,” she went on. “How
sweet
is that?”
    Galen stared. Real-life husband?
    “I’m just dying to know how closely life imitates art, of course.” The other woman extended her hand, almost as if she expected Galen to kiss it or something. “I’m Roselyn St. James,” she introduced. “I’m sure Aurora has told you all about our time together in college. But I’m afraid I don’t know even the teeniest thing about you.” She smiled flirtatiously. “Which is simply a crying shame, don’t you think?”
    Galen wasn’t ill-mannered enough to ignore the extended hand, so he shook it briskly.
    And briefly.
    “Galen Fortune Jones.” For some reason, claiming the Fortune name just then seemed in keeping with her highfalutin’ attitude toward Aurora. “But I’m afraid Aurora doesn’t share much about her college years.”
    “Really?” Roselyn arched her dark eyebrows. “I can’t imagine why. We had so much fun together, didn’t we, Aurora?”
    “A blast.” Aurora’s voice was beyond dry. “I’m sorry to cut this short, Roselyn, but we’ve got to get set for the next show.” She waved toward the wooden gate with the small cast-only sign on it.
    Galen didn’t react to Aurora’s huge exaggeration.
    “Well, let’s get together later, then. For dinner?” One of the tots in the stroller started squawking and Roselyn jiggled the stroller. “Hush, baby. Mommy’s talking.” She didn’t take her gaze off of Aurora. “I’m sure Anthony will be done with his interview—”
    “Interview!”
    Roselyn’s wide eyes widened a little more at Aurora’s exclamation. “With Moore Entertainment,” she said as if that explained everything. “I told you—”
    “You said he was having a meeting.” Aurora’s voice was increasingly tight.
    “You’re not bothered by the idea that you might be working for my husband, are you?” Roselyn laughed gaily. “I’m just kidding, of course. You wouldn’t be working for him. But he is on the short list for a really good position with Moore. Not here in Texas.