“Do you want them now?”
She nodded. “Well, not right this second, but yes, I would love kids. What about you?”
Nodding, I replied, “I love kids and would like to have them someday.”
Suddenly, Mallory asked, “Do you think I was a recluse?”
I laughed. “Hardly. Just because you kept to yourself doesn’t mean you’re a recluse. Besides, your old boss said you went out with the other employees, so I highly doubt it.”
“That’s true. What did your friend say?”
“Georgia and Sheila are going to meet us at the hotel bar. We might want to do a bit of shopping for you.”
“Why?” she asked.
“You could wear jeans and a shirt at the bar, but I’m pretty sure they have a business casual dress code.”
Mallory looked down at her clothes. “Oh. Ihateyou having to spend all your money on me. I wish I could at least remember what bank I used.”
I chuckled and stood, reaching my hand down for her to take. She did, and we stood facing one another. “I know you don’t need to be rescued, Mallory, but I reallylikerescuing you. A lot.”
She lifted her hand and placed it on my chest. “I don’t know,” she said with a sparkle in her eyes. “I kind of like you rescuing me.”
I raised a brow. “Really?”
Chewing on her lower lip, she nodded.
“You need to stop looking at me like you’re undressing me with your eyes.” When she blinked rapidly and gave me an innocent look, I drew her to me and kissed her quickly, but thoroughly. “Let’s go dress shopping,” I said, laughing at my own words.
Mallory asked, “What’s so funny?”
“I just never thought I’d hear myself say those words.”
Mallory joined in on the laughter as we made our way back to the bus stop to catch the tour bus.
When we reached the hotel, the concierge recommended a women’s boutique just a couple of blocks away. Mallory told the saleslady what she was looking for, and twenty minutes later, she came out of the store holding two bags. I’d left her with my credit card while I made a few business calls outside.
I was stilling thinking about Chad’s phone call from yesterday. After two years of silence from him and he wants to talk to me about the baby he and Krista were having. Or rather, ask me something. I highly doubted it was to be the child’s godfather.
Shaking thoughts of my brother away, I pulled up an email from Larson. Spirit, one of our mares, looked like she was about to foal early. I prayed she held off until I got back to the ranch. There was nothing more beautiful than watching a new life come into the world. Plus, I was positive Mallory would love to see it as well.
“That was quick,” I said, standing as Mallory approached me.
“The saleslady really knows what she’s doing. I told her nothing too fancy, but something that would fit in with where we’re going. I had to get shoes as well. I swear I’ll pay you back, although that’s a pretty pricey store, so it might take me a while.”
I kissed her on the forehead. “You’re not paying me back, so stop thinking about it.”
Back to the hotel, I took a shower first and then changed into dress slacks and a button-down shirt. I was glad I’d brought them, something I only did out of habit.
Mallory walked out of the bathroom, and I forgot how to speak or breathe. She wore an off-the-shoulder black dress that hugged her curves in all the right ways. It was shorter in the front and fell mid-thigh, while the back of the dress hit just behind her knees. Mallory’s hair was swept up on the sides. The back was left down, showcasing her curls.
“Wow,” I said, letting my eyes take in every bit of her.
“Do you like it? The saleslady said every woman needs a little black dress.”
I tried to say more than one word, but I’d apparently lost the ability to do so. “Wow.”
Mallory giggled. “Is it too much?”
