I can practically feel her teasing me across the table, that little spark in her eyes sayingpossessive, are we?
She opens her mouth—probably to tell me I’m being ridiculous—but I don’t give her the chance.I just sip my coffee, acting casual.
She needs some things, she said.And I’m more than happy to make that happen.
A drive into town.A couple of stores.Maybe lunch somewhere decent.
Yeah, that sounds nice.
She raises a brow, the corner of her mouth tugging up in a grin that says she knows exactly what I’m doing.
And maybe I do sound like a man staking a claim—but I can’t help it.I want her focused on me.
She belongs here.With me.
And I’ll spend the rest of my damn life proving it if I have to.
Benji chuckles, nudging Micah.
“Errands, huh?That what they’re callin’ it these days?”
I glare at him, but Bit just laughs, shaking her head.
“Don’t listen to them, Sawyer.I do need to run some errands.What about you boys?Anything we can pick up for you?”
They all shake their heads—well, as soon as I glare at them, they do.Only Angie asks for some baking soda, and Bit nods happily.
Then she sets her empty mug down and slips off the stool, brushing past me as she heads toward the door.
My hand finds her lower back on instinct, a small touch, nothing anyone else notices—but I feel the jolt all the same.
“Ready when you are, cowboy,” she says over her shoulder.
And just like that, the day feels brighter.
I don’t know what waits for us out there—hell, I never do—but for the first time in a long damn while, I’m looking forward to finding out.
Chapter 16-Bit
Shopping with a cowboy turns out to be a whole lot more fun than it sounds.
We hit the big three—Walmart, Tractor Supply Co., and this massive old mall about twenty minutes from the ranch.
Everywhere we go, Sawyer carries my bags like it’s no big deal, opens every door, and gives me that half-smile that makes my insides turn to warm syrup.
At some point, he swiped my credit card right out of my hand.
I figured it was a macho thing—he’s got that protective streak a mile wide—so I let him.
But now we’re standing in line at this incredible little place in downtown Dry Creek—Devil’s Food Bakery,which smells like heaven and sin rolled into one—and when I check my banking app, I frown.
Not a single charge.
“Sawyer?”
“Yeah?”He’s studying the display case like he’s about to propose to a chocolate éclair.
“Did you use my card in those stores when I told you to?”I turn my phone toward him.“Because this says otherwise.”
