Tyler’s whole body hummed with even more energy at the prospect of being with Kinsey for an entire day. “What makes you think Kinsey would agree to spend her day off with me?”
“Plan something, then give her no choice.” His dad’s eyes held a challenge that dared Tyler to figure out a way to win Kinsey over.
Tyler hesitated. Did he want to win Kinsey over? No, he didn’t. But now that his dad had planted the idea of spending hours with her, he wanted that more than anything else.
Could he find a fun activity, or perhaps several?
His mind spun with a dozen ideas. He had the money and the means to do just about anything. Something special, something that would impress her, something that would make a memory that she could keep forever—maybe lots of little memories that she could take with her when she left the ranch.
Yes, tomorrow, he’d make Kinsey’s day so special that she would never forget it or him.
He leaned down again and gently scooped her up so that he was cradling her.
She stirred, and her lashes flitted up halfway. Her hazy eyes locked in on his. “Hi. You’re home.” The words were warm and welcoming, as if she’d been waiting for him, which wasn’t true at all.
He started to carry her across the room.
“I’m fine, Tyler,” she said through a yawn. “Put me down.”
He kept going.
Her lashes fell, and she let her head rest against his shoulder. Her hair was tumbling from the messy bun she was wearing, and pieces tickled his chin and cheek.
Since her eyes were closed, he let himself look at her face and take in each exquisite detail for as long as he wanted, rarely having had the opportunity to stare and get his fill without her knowing.
Shoot. Why did she have such elegant beauty, the kind a man could look at every hour of every day and never get tired of?
He made his way carefully to her room next door. He pushed the door open with his foot, then crossed to her bed, which was unmade with clothing scattered over it. He lowered her gently while at the same time smoothing out the spot.
As her head sank into the pillow and he started to release her, her eyes fluttered open again, and her gaze connected with his in a drowsy way that sent a surge of heat along his veins.
“How was your date?” Her whisper was soft and sleepy.
“It was fine.”
“Finemeans it wasn’t great.”
“Finemeans nothing went wrong and we had a nice time.”
“Nicealso means it wasn’t great.”
“Nicemeans I like her and will probably ask her out again.” Maybe. Maybe not. He wasn’t sure. But he wasn’t admitting that to Kinsey.
Her lips curved into a small smile as she closed her eyes. “It’s time to move on, Tyler.”
Was it time to move on from Nettie?
His dad’s diagnosis of cancer had made him realize how short life could be, that he didn’t have time to waste on things that weren’t important, that he needed to focus on what really mattered.
Why run after something—someone—he didn’t want when what he wanted was right in front of him?
He shook his head and then spun away from Kinsey. They were just friends, and that was all they could ever be.
15
Kinsey stepped into T.W.’s room, the bright morning light coming through the windows blinding her.
As she squinted, a hand snaked around from behind and covered her eyes. “I’m kidnapping you for the day.” Tyler’s voice rumbled near her ear.
