Glancing at the calendar, an idea pops into my head. If I’m going to be the kind of man Lauren would want to tell the world about, then I need to start practicing what I preach. “Will you come hunting with me while you’re here?”
“Oh, hell yeah. It’s been too long since we’ve headed up to the cabin.”
“Agreed.” A text from Lauren appears on my screen. “I better get going. I have a few things I gotta get organized here.”
“Good luck on your date, love bug.”
I scoff. “See you later.”
When I hang up, I sit there for a moment, wondering what Charlie would think if he knew. After our conversation today, I’d like to think maybe he’d be okay with it. I guess time will tell.
Callie drops me off in Lauren’s driveway to help us stay incognito. She talks the whole drive, but I can’t focus on anything she has to say because my stomach is in free fall. I shouldn’t be nervous. We’ve already been on a few sort-of dates, but I’m terrified that being back in town after some space will make her change her mind.
Despite the fear, there’s also been more light in my days since I kissed Lauren. I care a little less about how I’m being perceived, and I have hope. I’m not ready to let that go so easily.
As I gather my bags, Charlie’s words ring through my mind. He actually sounded proud of me, like maybe the problem has been the way I’ve portrayed myself. Maybe the secret to not turning into my father has always been to shift my perspective. I might be the only one who saw me as a monster. I’m confident this thing between Lauren and me is a positive thing, not only because I love being with her, but also because it gives me the chance to prove I’m not the man I’m scared of turning into.
Once Callie’s truck is parked in the drive, Lauren rushes out of her house, thanking Callie for her help before turning to greet me.
With her excited and innocent gaze on me, I melt. “Hi, Freckles.”
“Hi. Can I help you with your bag of goodies?”
She reaches out, but I know she just wants to look inside. Tugging the groceries to my other side, I brush past her. “No way. This is a surprise.”
“Come on. Please.” She draws out theeand gives me her best puppy-dog eyes. “I hate surprises anyway.”
“You just don’t like giving up control. It’s good for you to do every once in a while.”
“I think I got my fair share in Tulsa.” She reaches out again.
I thrust an arm out to stop her. “If you want to see what’s in this bag then let me inside. You can see it all there.”
“Fine.”
She opens her front door, revealing the upbeat tune of “All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy.”
“You know, I wouldn’t exactly call blasting music going incognito. Are you trying to get the attention of all the cowboys who pass by?”
She and I both know not many people come to this corner of the ranch. She’s tucked away from everything and everyone. I think that’s part of why she chose to live out here instead of closer to the bunkhouse or the big house. With everything Lauren does in the day-to-day, she could use the peace and quiet… to blast her music, I guess.
Rolling her eyes, Lauren closes the door behind her. “I do this all the time.”
“Would you like to dance?”
Her eyes light up. “Really?”
I nod, extending a hand and spinning her around. The song is nearly over, but I love the spark in her eyes as we sway for a few seconds.
When it ends, she turns the music down. “Speaking of dancing. Would you be willing to go to swing lessons again? I had a really good time last time, and I’d like to know more than one dance. I could go without you, but I don’t want another partner.” She twists her hands in front of her, speaking faster now. “I know we’re trying to keep this asecret, so we’ll have to figure out a way not to make it too obvious, but?—”
I pull her into my arms to stop her rambling. “Of course I’ll go with you. You can go with the girls, and then I’ll offer to cut in like last time. Maybe we’ll get lucky and there’ll be an odd number.”
“I could probably ask Callie or Olivia to sit out if there’s an even number, but I don’t want to ask them to do that.”
“You know they’d do it for you in a heartbeat.”
“I do, but I don’t know that I should ask them to.” She leans on the counter, trying to peer into my bag.
