“Yes, I do. So, what are you making tonight?”
“Chicken Parmesan.”
“Oh, my favorite of yours. He’ll love it.”
“What if he doesn’t like chicken? Oh, my God! I have to ask him.”
Ryan laughed. “Yeah, maybe you should.”
“I’ll text him. You and Seth have a wonderful weekend.”
“You too. Let me know how tonight goes. Love you.”
“I will. Love you too.”
After disconnecting with Ryan, Skylar sent Rawley a text and hoped she wasn’t bothering him.
Do you like baked chicken parmesan?She smiled when she saw the bubbles.
Yes. Is that what you’re making?
It is.
Sounds good to me. How are you this morning?
I’m okay. You?
Same. I’m working in the barn, but I promise to shower before I show up tonight.
Skylar laughed.Please do.
Okay. I have to run, darlin’. Have a good day. I’ll see you tonight.
You have a good day too. See you later.
She disconnected and sighed.Darlin’.Sure, she knew it was just cowboy jargon, but it sure made her feel good.
At five forty-five, she put the dinner in the oven since it took thirty minutes, then she sat on the sofa to wait for him to get there. Her stomach in knots.
****
Rawley pulled into the driveway, shut the truck off, picked up the two yellow roses, opened the door and stepped out. He walked to the porch and rang the doorbell. When it opened, he ran his eyes over her and smiled. She wore red sweatpants and an oversized T-shirt. He smiled and handed her the two roses.
“For you.”
“Thank you. You’re right on time,” she said as she swung the door open wider. “I hope you don’t mind about my clothes. I like being comfortable at home.”
“You look beautiful to me, sweetheart.” He grinned when a big smile lit up her face.
Rawley paused on the threshold, brushing his boots against the welcome mat. He removed his hat, stepped into a softly lit foyer, and the warm, sweet scent of vanilla curled around him like a gentle invitation. Since he hadn’t paid attention last night because she had looked too good to ignore, he glanced around. Directly ahead, a set of gleaming white bifold doors stood; to his right, the living room unfolded in rich tones. Polished mahogany floors reflected the light from the lamp on the end table beside a large yellow sofa, while a mahogany-framed fireplace, its carvings dark and lustrous, rested against the outer wall. The front broad window looked out over the front porch draped in climbing wisteria.
Skylar extended her hand. “I’ll give you a quick tour,” she said. He accepted her offer, and she guided him from the living room through an arched entryway. The dining area beyond featured another hearth built into the far wall, with French doors standing ajar beside it. Above, a trio of high windows welcomed the early evening sun into the space. Come morning, he thought, sunlight would spill across the wooden table and illuminate the circular braided rug beneath it, its russet and gold fibers reminiscent of autumn leaves. From there, Skylar guided him into the kitchen. A row of sunlit windows stretched alongthe rear wall, their white frames accenting views of the trees that surrounded the house. A glass-paned door beside them led to the deck beyond. The white appliances gleamed with pale granite counters surrounding them.
Next came the bedroom, where soft carpet muffled their footsteps. “My bedroom,” Skylar announced. “Walk-in closet, en-suite full bath. There are three bedrooms total, one’s my office, and two full baths.” Her tone was easy, as though she was showing off something she adored.
He stepped in and glanced around. “It’s a nice place,” he said, voice low.
“I fell in love with it the moment I saw it,” she replied. “It’s private, five acres of woods with part of the backyard fenced, yet only a few miles from town.”
