“Really? It was that bad?”
I nod. “The building’s structural integrity was compromised. I’m not even allowed back inside mine. They’re afraid the whole thing could collapse.”
“Damn. You know you can stay as long as you need, right?”
“Rosie and Holden have expressed it many times. I’m eternally grateful for your family’s generosity.”
“I bet the boys are loving it.”
“Oh, they are. They insist on going outside every morning to check on the cows. They want to be cowboys when they grow up.”
“They’re already cowboys. I’m having a lot of fun teaching them to rope.”
I swallow, nodding as I finally look up at him. He seems so genuine. After the emotional best-man speech he gave and the clear caretaking side of him when it comes to his terminally ill father, I’m wondering why exactly I’ve been resisting him this entire time.
He peers down at me, his eyes studying my facial features like he’s trying to memorize me.
“What about you? What do you like about Redford Ranch?” He adjusts his hold on me, our bodies a sliver closer than they were before.
“I like the plants.”
“The plants?”
“Yeah, like Rosie’s garden. She has blackberry bushes, herbs, tomatoes, jalapeños. Everything to make homemade salsa and fresh spices to cook with.”
He nods. “Oh, yeah, she’s great at that.”
I suddenly find myself very curious about Rosie’s and his relationship in high school. I wonder if he’s still hurt about it at all or if it’s water under the bridge now. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask, but the song ends, and he steps away from me.
He tips his cowboy hat. “Thank you for the dance, ma’am.” He winks at me, turns, and leaves.
I blow out a breath, wishing I could squelch the disappointment in my gut.
“It’s fine, really, Dallas. You can sleep here,” Eden says, but her words don’t match the way she’s clinging to her husband, who she hasn’t seen in weeks.
“I already planned on giving you the place for the night. There’s like, a hundred rooms open at the main house, and the boys aren’t even here.”
Sterling nods, clearly glad I’m leaving. “You need help with your bag?”
I shake my head, slinging the new canvas tote I bought over my shoulder. “Nope. I lost pretty much everything in the fire, so, you know, it’s kind of light.”
He nods again, and I almost laugh at how obvious he’s being that he’s ready to be alone with his wife. And I’m not jealous at all. Not even a little bit.
“Good night!” I wave at them as I walk out the door and close it behind me.
It’s pitch-black, but the light from the porch here and the ones still on at the main house are enough to illuminate my path. Every step I take closer to the big house makes my heart thunder louder in my chest, until it’s a gong in my ears.
I go to the back porch entrance, quietly sliding the door open. I make my way to the kitchen to get a glass of water. The digital clock on the oven says it’s one fifteen in the morning. I grab a cup from the cabinet and fill it with water from the fridge, listening for any sign of movement.
Rosie told me to sleep in Dolly’s old room, which has been set up as a guest room.
Maybe Duke is already in bed. That would be good, ideal really. I’ve had a little too much wine, and I’m missing myboys. The last thing I want is to end up in bed with a younger man out ofloneliness.
I chug the entire glass of water and fill it up again. When I turn back around, I nearly jump out of my skin when I see a huge male body leaning back against the kitchen island, wearing only gray sweatpants. His arms are crossed, the pink skin of the brand on his muscular chest drawing my eye.
I gulp, refusing to check him out despite the strong desire to run my eyes over him.
“Need anything?” Duke asks.
