Page 30 of Falling for the Maverick

“What if I want to buy you something to wear? I would have to know your dress size.”

“That’s why most men don’t buy clothes for women.”

“What do they give them?”

“Jewelry, perfume, handbags. Didn’t you ever give your girlfriends presents?”

Lucas realized he’d just put his boot in his mouth. “Yes. I usually ask them what they want and then give them the money to buy it.”

“That’s no fun,” Michelle said as she followed him into the kitchen. “Where’s the surprise?”

“A surprise is not giving them what they want.”

“Well, I’m different. I like surprises.”

“I’ll remember that for the future,” Lucas stated.

* * *

Michelle stopped in the ultramodern kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances. It was obvious that Lucas had spared no expense when it came to building and furnishing his home. A house with four bedrooms and four and a half baths was much too large for one person. She wondered if he’d built it because he planned on marrying and starting a family. But then again, she thought about what Aaron had said about Lucas not being able to commit, so that would rule out his marrying. That would be a waste since it would make a fantastic family home.

“I love this kitchen.”

Lucas opened the built-in refrigerator/freezer, shifted several items around, then set the cupcakes on a shelf. “Other than the family room in the basement, it’s my favorite room in the entire house.”

“You do a lot of cooking?”

“I grill more than cook.”

“What if it’s too cold to grill outdoors?” she questioned.

“I have an outdoor fireplace and fire pit that give off a lot of heat. The only time I don’t grill outdoors is when it’s snowing. And speaking of snow… I hear there’s a record snowfall predicted this winter, so I’ve decided to put up another stable for the pregnant mares. I don’t want them left out in the elements before it’s time for them to give birth.”

“You’ve got to take care of the mamas.”

Lucas smiled. “You’re right about that. The current stable has stalls for twelve horses, but in the spring, new foals will require additional space.”

“How large a herd do you want?”

“No more than twenty at any given time.”

“I suppose that’s manageable.”

“It is for me to manage on my own. If it gets any larger, then I’m going to hire a few ranch hands.”

“There are always experienced hands in Tenacity looking for work,” Michelle told him. “After my father retired, my brothers took charge of the Circle C. I also help whenever I can by grooming the horses and occasionally mucking out the stalls.”

“So, you’re a real country girl.”

“Yup. Down to the marrow in my bones.”

Lucas extended his hand. “Well, country girl, let me show you the rest of the house before we sit outside and watch the sunset.”

Michelle took his hand. “Is that what you do every day?”

He nodded. “Yes, on most days. By that time, I’m bone-tired. I’m up at five and usually don’t finish work until late afternoon.”

She briefly looked up to observe his profile. “You can’t continue to push yourself that hard, Lucas. You’ll end up a tired, broken-down old man before you’re forty.”