Page 13 of Home to the Cowboy

Their eyes met, she crossed her arms.

“Damn, woman, you’re killing me,” he growled before he moved to the sink. “You mean the shut-off valve? Let me see if I can find it. You should maybe call Ellie to find out which plumber they use.”

With his blood rushing through his veins, his body on fire, it took him longer than necessary to find the stop thingy as June had called it. Damn, another minute and they probably would have been rolling around in the water.

Chapter Five

By the time the plumber got there to fix the pipe, Ellie had arrived, too, and they’d cleaned the kitchen floor, it was early evening.

“I’m so sorry about this,” June said again.

Ellie grinned. “You heard the plumber. It’s an old house, it happens. I’m the one who’s sorry you walked into this mess. Fortunately, Dylan was here to help. He was so wet, the poor man, I’m glad Becket has left some of his clothes here so that he can change.”

June swallowed her groan. Images of Dylan changing clothes were so not something she wanted to think about right now. When Ellie and Becket had arrived, she’d quickly rushed upstairs to put on something dry. “Don’t you want something to eat? There’s so much food in the fridge.”

“Thank you, but not tonight. I’m working in the yarn shop tomorrow morning, and I still want to do the laundry tonight. Please do invite us again, though?” She smiled, hugging June just as the men walked back into the kitchen.

Dylan’s hair was still wet, but he’d changed into a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt that fit snugly around his muscled upper body. Oh, my. His eyes met hers, she quickly looked away.

“Well, husband,” Ellie was saying as she took Becket’s arm. “Let’s go. I think our fur babies are way past their dinner.”

Their three dogs and a cat were already standing in front of the door. The dogs barked when they heard the word dinner, the cat looked irritated. Daisy wasn’t quite sure what was going on but she was happy to join the chorus of barks.

“I recognize those two dogs from Becket’s initial sketches,” June said as they all moved toward the front door. “I’ve noticed the cat and other dog have joined them in the recent sketches, Becket.”

“Becket was kind enough to adopt Marmalade and Duke when he married me,” Ellie laughed.

“Thanks for coming to my rescue,” June said as she opened the front door. “I’m seriously impressed that a plumber is available outside office hours.”

“That’s what we do around here,” Becket said. “You and I should talk while you’re here, I have a few new ideas.”

“I was hoping we could meet at some point,” June said.

“Why don’t you come to dinner one evening?” Ellie nodded. “While you two talk shop, I can whip up something to eat or Becket can grill some steaks.”

“As soon as I have my car …” June turned to look at Dylan. “Remember to give me the number of the person who picked up my car, please?”

“Your phone?” he asked. “If I have your number, I’ll send you the details.”

As June handed her phone to Dylan, Becket grinned and slapped him on the shoulder. “Smooth, coz, smooth. June, let us know what evening will suit you.”

“I can fetch June,” Dylan said. “She drives a red Camero, not suited for the ranch.”

“Oh, great,” Ellie said. “Then Dylan, you can help me cook. You are of course also invited for dinner.”

“Thank you,” Dylan said, his eyes on June’s phone.

“Arlene says she’ll be picking you up for book club on Tuesday,” Ellie said as they walked toward their truck.

“Yes, I’ve brought a few new releases with me. Maybe you will also enjoy them. I’m so looking forward to it.”

With another hug from Ellie, they left. As Becket was driving away, Dylan was still inside her house.

Slowly she walked back toward her house. Nothing could come of whatever this thing between her and Dylan was, but if she was honest, she was glad he was still here. Wary, worried, but definitely also excited.

Help.

*