He sighed heavily. “I’m not taking any chances next time.”
“That makes sense.” If she were in his situation, she’d be careful too.
“That’s why I’m looking for someone who’s from the area.”
“Ah, that’s why you’re going out with Nettie even though she’s all wrong for you.”
Tyler shifted so that he was leaning on one elbow on the railing and facing her.
Was he mad at her now? If so, they would be back on familiar ground. She glanced at him sideways.
He was watching her but didn’t seem mad. Instead, his mouth was starting to quirk up on one side. “Who made you the expert on who’s right or wrong for me?”
“It doesn’t take anexpertto know.”
“Oh really?”
“I haven’t known you long, and already I’ve got you figured out.”
Tyler leaned back on his elbow more comfortably, as though he was settling in for a conversation that he intended to relish. “Since you have me figured out, why don’t you tell me the kind of woman you think I need.”
She shifted so that she was leaning on one elbow now too. She pretended to study him. “Hmmm…you definitely need someone who won’t run and hide every time the grizzly bear comes out.”
“The grizzly bear doesn’t come out much.”
She raised her brows.
“Maybe it comes out around you more than normal, but that’s just because you poke it until it does.”
“I poke it?”
“Yes, you know how to push my buttons.”
“True.”
He ducked his head and fought back a grin. “What else do you think I need in a wife, oh wise one?”
“Oh wise one? You got that right.” She liked that they could banter easily.
“So?” he persisted.
“You need a woman who has a backbone and can stand up to you with her own needs. She has to be independent and have her own life so that yours doesn’t swallow her up.”
“And…?”
“And…” Her thoughts spun with all the qualities that a complicated man like Tyler would require in a wife. “Maybe she needs to be a little feisty to keep things from being too boring.”
He didn’t respond. Instead his eyes rounded her face, taking her in, caressing her even though he wasn’t touching her. The dark brown smoldered again, clearly communicating he liked what he saw. And that he’d like to do much more than just look at her.
The fluttering in her stomach from earlier returned, twisting and turning inside and making her almost dizzy with a strange wanting.
“It sounds like you’re describing yourself,” he whispered as his gaze touched on her mouth.
Had she been describing herself as his ideal wife? “No, of course not.”
He arched a brow.
Maybe she had accidentally projected herself, but she hadn’t meant to. “I admit. You would have the perfect woman if you did find someone like me. In fact, she’d be awesome.”
