Page 71 of Cowboy Daddies

Still … no one said they couldn’t be alone with each other. In fact, Ma and Pa had encouraged couples to spend plenty of time together.

Carter sat up and grabbed his phone. “Are you awake?” he texted her.

Her reply was almost instant. “Yeah, we just finished watching a movie. Why?”

“Want to go for a walk, or are you too tired?” He started pulling on his jeans before she even replied.

“Sure! Let me get dressed.”

He grinned and shoved his feet into his boots. Feeling an awful lot like a teenager sneaking out after curfew, he crept across the creaking floor, let himself out, and went to meet her.

The ladies’ bunkhouse was still lit up, and when she opened the door, he could hear laughing and someone said, “Oooooo! Someone’s going to break the rule!” in a loud singsong voice.

Allegra paused in the doorway and called back over her shoulder, “Some of us can go for a walk without falling on a dick, Cassie.” She snickered as she stepped out and closed the door behind her. Once it was shut, she looked at him. “Please tell me we’re going to break this dumb rule?”

He snorted. “Nice try, but no. I just wanted to spend some time with you.”

“I don’t get the point of keeping us from having sex. I really don’t.” She shook her head, huffing. “Fucking is a great way to bond.”

“Don’t you?” Carter shot her a look, tilting his head. “What have you wanted to do since the moment they said you couldn’t?”

“Um, drag you to bed.”

“Mhm. Have you noticed how handsy every other couple has gotten? How they keep disappearing and coming back disheveled? I swear you can’t go into a room without catching two people groping each other.”

Her forehead creased and her mouth tightened. “So, you’re saying they …”

“Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder … or something like that.” He laughed. “Besides, sometimes people try to solve their problems with sex instead of talking. Pretty sure we’re guilty of that,” he pointed out, eyebrows going up.

She sighed. “Okay, you have a point.”

“It sounded like you’ve been having fun with the other ladies at least?” He held out his hand to her, and she took it.

“Actually, yes. We did a movie night with popcorn tonight. It’s been surprisingly fun sharing the house with a bunch of other girls.” She turned her face up, a wide smile curving her lips. “How are things in the boy’s house?”

“Not … that much fun.” He grinned and brushed a light kiss across her lips. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too. This week feels so long, but I have to say, I’m having a pretty good time. I’m glad you brought me here.” She tugged his hand, starting to move away from the bunkhouses.

They wandered hand-in-hand with no particular destination in mind, but when they reached the edge of the outdoor lights, Allegra stopped short, looking up. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many stars,” she commented. “You can barely see any in the city.”

He looked around, spotted a bench by the path, and pulled her over to sit. “Do you know where the Big Dipper is?” When she shook her head, he pointed. “There. And if you go straight down from here”—he moved his finger down an invisible line—“you get to the north star. So, if you’re ever lost you can walk toward that star and know you’re going north.”

She laughed. “Bold of you to assume that knowing where north was would help. You’ll just have to come find me if I ever get lost.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “That was a given, sweetheart.”

They sat there for a while, and he pointed out other constellations and stars. All of it he’d learned on the ranch years ago. After a while the bugs seemed to realize there was a free dinner, and after slapping too many off his arms, he finally pulled her to her feet. “We’re getting eaten alive out here. I guess we should probably head⁠—”

She cut him off, jumping to her feet. “Wait, let’s go visit the barn first.”

“The barn? Why?” Carter squinted at her, wondering what she was up to, but she was already grabbing his hand and pulling him to his feet.

The big double doors were closed up for the night, but they let themselves in through the side door. The horses had all been bedded down, though most still dozed on their feet. They were used to people going in and out and none of them paid much attention to the couple.

“So, why did you drag me down here?” he asked.

“Um, no reason.” Her eyes shifted away.