“Funny.” Her lips twist.
She comes to join me.
By the time we arrived in the parking lot, the blazing morning sun was already broiling all of Texas. It’s even worse now. This heat wave is making it scorching hot this year.
I tip my Stetson back and swipe my forearm across my brow. “I’m surprised we haven’t melted yet,” I say before removing it all together and placing it on the rock near me.
“Glad I wore a hat,” Carina says. She removes hers, revealing her big Hollywood-style sunglasses.
My girl is a convert when it comes to cowgirl boots, but there’s still work to be done when it comes to her headgear. Although cute, her large sun hat is more Palm Beach than Summerville. We’ll get there.
I unzip the bag and pull out a couple of water bottles, crack open the caps, and hand her one.
“Drink up.”
She guzzles down half the bottle.
I do the same.
“Just when I think this state can’t be any more beautiful, you surprise me by showing me more jaw-dropping scenery.”
“I knew you’d enjoy this spot as much as I do. This is Mother Nature at her best. All of Summerville is.”
I pull out a container full of local sweet cherries and hold it out to her. She grabs a handful.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
As she enjoys the cherries, she glances at the forest surrounding us. “It really is just the two of us.”
“Told you. It’s a whole different story on weekends, but on a Wednesday, it’s our own private oasis.”
“I like that.” She smiles.
I reach out and caress her cheek tenderly. “I’ve been looking forward to this time together.”
“Same here. No media interviews. No driving you to the airport. No endless photo shoots.” She grins. “Just Rhett and Carina.”
I return her wide smile. “Just the two of us.”
Almost seven months ago, I saw this gorgeous stranger with big beautiful blue eyes and tempting lips in a parking lot… and now she’s my world.
I thought the discord with her family was going to drive a wedge between us, but I was wrong.
I was afraid she’d come to resent me because she chose me, but her family came around. The media explosion trickled all the way up to the Callahan clan.
That first meeting with her family in New York was terrifying. I’ve faced some feisty broncos in my life, but Carina is protected and loved by an army of men—two grandfathers, a father, and seven brothers—never mind the uncles, cousins, and family friends. That’s a lot to handle for just one guy.
Even with all their quirkiness, her family are good people.
We sit in contemplative silence for a long while, soaking in the beautiful view and relishing the sound of the streaming water.
My growling stomach breaks the silence.
“Let’s eat and we can dip our toes in one of the several swimming holes for a while before making our way back,” I say. “That way we aren’t rushed.”
“Where are we going to change?”
