“Being here? Absolutely. It’s a lot like being back home with Mom and Dad but with less potatoes and more–”
“Donkeys?”
I snort, kicking off my leggings and sliding on the Cate-approved denim shorts. “He’s been very inconspicuous this week. Suspiciously so. But they’ve got a bunch of cattle that like to come up and say hello to me every day when I walk around the ranch. I think they need chickens though.”
“For eggs?” she asks.
“And pest and weed control. Then there’s the manure for the gardens.”
“I know that tone. You’re wanting to chip in and get your farm girl on, aren’t you?” Cate says, her voice laced with humor.
I snort. “I just want tocontributesomething to the place. Is that weird?”
“Define weird? Alex and I read books about matchmaking mountain spirits and have to talk ourselves out of quitting our jobs and following you to Alaska so that we can make our dreams a realityandnot have to go without seeing our best friend for six months.”
“Wait. You want to come live in the mountains with me? I’m not here permanently, C. You know that.”
“And yet you’re getting ready for a date with a man who–by your own words–is kind, honest, open, funny, and not atallhard on the eye. I’m sure you said the wordhotat one stage.”
“Just a date, C. Not a vow of lifelong fidelity.”
“Sometimes all it takes is one date to know, B. You need to read Aster’s books. You might see the world–or at least the fact you’re living on a ranch with big, gruff, and rough mountain men–a little differently,” she explains.
I don’t answer her because I’m trying to remain level-headed and realistic about this. Friendship first and foremost, that is my goal. Anything else isn’t just up to me.I have got an end date here in Timber Falls after all…
“OK, are you ready to see your masterpiece?” I pick up my phone and switch the camera back on. Holding it out, I show her my outfit from the front and use the mirror behind me to show her my reflection too.
“Oh yeah. As always, you’re a vision. Sutton will be speechless at first glance. I promise.”
I blush and shake my head, unable to stop a huge smile from appearing. “You’re good for a girl’s ego.”
She shrugs, her eyes twinkling as she returns my grin. “What else are best friends for?”
Just before one p.m., there’s a knock at the cabin door. My handsome psychologist rancher smiles at me when I swing it open. In his hand is a big brown tote bag but since all of his attention is pinned my way, it seems he’s forgotten he’s holding it.
His gaze shifts down, slowly caressing my body before returning back to my face. “I’m startin’ to thinkeverythin’looks good on you,” he rasps, his voice deeper than normal.
“I had a little help. One of my best friends is a stylist so she was talking me through options while I was getting ready.”
He nods approvingly. “Remind me to thank her because you look amazin’.” His head drops to my sneaker-clad feet. “Though I’m not sure you want to go hikin’ inthose.”
I follow his line of sight and turn my ankle to point my toe. “They’re cute.”
His eyes crinkle at the sides as he quirks a single brow my way. “They are. They’ll also cause you untold damage on our hike. And as much as I would never mind havin’ an excuse to carry a beautiful woman, I’d much prefer other reasons to do it, not because your feet have been ripped raw and you can’t walk.”
I stand stock still, my eyes bugging out and my mouth agape.Did he just…? Surely I imagined him saying that?
“Cat got your tongue,” he says, lips twitching. “While you’re waitin’, I came bearin’ gifts.” He holds up the bag still clutched in his hand.
Thatsnaps me out of my brain-freeze. “You brought me a present?” I ask curiously.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a strong independent woman who has had to do everything for herself for a long time. That doesn’t mean I don’t like being spoiled every once and a while, and Sutton bringing me gifts–plural–has me warming up from the inside out.
“One’s expected, one I promised.”
I bite my lip. “OK.”
He cocks his head, his eyes warm and soft. “I’ve surprised you.”
