There’s a beautiful daffodil wreath hanging on the front door. I recognize it as one of the ones my family was selling at the farmers market. It’s nice to see other businesses supporting the farm. It’s also exciting that the town is starting to decorate for spring. It truly is my favorite season.
With that in mind, I think of something else that I enjoy. Teasing my newfriend, Walker.
ME:When you said ‘cowboy stuff,’ was that slang for playing with your stallion?
I snort as I imagine Walker’s reaction to my text and push open the door. Inside, light music plays. I place my phone in the space on the cart meant for a drink and pull up my shopping list before heading to the vegetable aisle.
“Looks like someone is having a dinner party,” a familiar voice says from over my shoulder.
I shift my body to face Eli, who is looking as handsome as ever and wearing his typical grin.
“Every night with me is a party,” I tease.
He chuckles as he runs a hand down his chin. “I don’t doubt that.”
My phone buzzes in the cup, and my eyes drop to read the incoming text.
COWBOY:what the hell are you talking about woman?
A loud laugh bursts out of me. God, I wish I could have seen his face when he wrote that.
“Who’s ‘Cowboy’?”
I eye Eli. “You reading my texts?”
“Just seeing who my competition is.” He folds his arms across his chest. “Cowboy?”
I roll my eyes. As if the hot ex-NHL player is actually interested in me.
“It’s Walker,” I admit.
Eli’s entire demeanor shifts and his shoulders straighten. “Wait, he gave you his number?”
Eyebrows raised, I tilt my head to study him. “You interested in him?”
“The man barely says two words. Been trying to get him to hang out with me and Fletch for months.”
I pick up my phone. “Want his number?”
Eli looks like he just hit the lottery. “Hell yeah. Text it to me?”
Teasing, I hold the phone close to my chest. “You trying to get my number, too, Eli Davis?”
“I’m much smoother than that, Tally. You won’t question it when I’m asking you out.”
“Such a shameless flirt,” I chuckle with a shake of my head as I hand him my phone, letting him input his number. Then I text him Walker’s contact information.
“Pleasure doing business with you, Tally Darling,” he says as he stores the number in his contacts.
—
By the time I get back to the farm, my body is soaked through from all the rain. I quickly put away the groceries and head up to Walker’s room to take a long, hot shower before dinner.
I text him to let him know where I’ll be when he gets home before I peel off my wet clothes and drop them in thelaundry room. Fully undressed, I run up the stairs in only my bra and underwear and head straight into the bathroom.
After turning on the shower to let it heat, I open the bathroom door and peek into Walker’s—my—room.
The other day when I was in here, I was searching for secrets. Today I look at everything in plain sight. I’m starting to think that’s how Walker works. What you see is what you get.
