“And you hate Colorado.”

“I’m intimidated by it.”

Mandy’s gaze was probing. “So you’re intimidated by Reed?”

“Why does this conversation feel like a chess game?”

“Because you’re being evasive.”

“I like my men in tuxedos,” Katrina answered honestly.

Mandy grinned and chuckled. “Then tomorrow night at the ball ought to be very interesting.”

“Why?”

“Because Reed will be in a tux.”

“Not a problem,” Katrina answered with conviction. It was one thing to dress a man up, but the grit of Colorado tended to stick.

The elevator door opened into the lobby of the Sunburst Hotel in downtown Lyndon, and Katrina nearly stumbled on her high-heeled silver sandals. Reed didn’t look remotely gritty. Quite the contrary, he looked fantastic in a tuxedo.

Next to a marble pillar and an oversize leather furniture grouping, he was joking with Caleb, Travis and Seth. He was the tallest of the three, broad-shouldered, clean-shaven, with his hair freshly trimmed and his dark eyes zeroing in on her.

“Wow.” The word whooshed out beneath her breath. She had to remind herself to keep walking between Mandy and Abigail.

“You mean Caleb?” Mandy asked, a thread of amusement in her tone.

“Right,” Katrina returned without missing a beat. “Caleb.” Her gaze stayed glued to Reed.

“Seth’s tie is crooked,” Abigail put in, quickening her pace, clearly hoping to get to Seth and correct the problem before anyone else noticed.

“Liar,” Mandy muttered to Katrina.

“Who? Abigail?”

“Admit it, you’re attracted to Reed.”

“Not at all,” Katrina lied.

“You haven’t taken your eyes off him.”

“I was thinking he’s too tall.” Among other things. He was also too strong, too determined, too attractive and far too good a kisser for a Colorado cowboy.

“He looks great in a tux,” Mandy singsonged.