Page 42 of The Cowboy’s Forever Promise

“I don’t know what this is we’re doing, you and I, I just know I don’t want it to end. Not before you leave, anyway.” Bending down, he kissed her.

Like every single time their lips met, a whirlwind just picked her up. Slipping her arms around his neck, she leaned into him. For once in her life, she was going to forget about her plan, color way outside the lines and go with her instinct.

A loud honk as a car passed them, brought her back to reality.

Carson grinned. “You better fix your lipstick.”

“You make me forget everything,” she moaned as she opened her small purse.

“I love it when you tell me how you feel. It makes me feel ten feet tall.” Grabbing the steering wheel, he gave her a stern glance. “Stay over there, otherwise we’ll never get to the book launch.”

A giggle slipped out. Seriously. She never giggled. Never. But with Carson, it was so easy to just let go.

As they stopped in front of the library, he turned to her. “You’ll go to the dance with me on Saturday?”

“I don’t know. If you ask me, I may consider it.”

He chuckled. “June warned me you foster kids rarely do what you’re told. I’m asking you,” he said as his hand slid slowly up her leg. “And using all and any means necessary.”

Grabbing his hand, she laughed. “That’s blackmail, but yes, I’d love to go to the dance with you.”

She was awarded one of his killer smiles and was still struggling to catch her breath when he opened her door. As he helped her down, he hugged her tightly before he took her hand.

“That’s the one,” a voice behind them said. “Seen her kissing Carson Weston any time of day. Absolutely no shame.”

Carson stiffened. “Damn Aurelia Hill.”

Before he could do anything, Abby turned around and walked toward the two women behind her. It wasn’t difficult to see which one was Aurelia Hill. Handbag over the arm, her silver hair perfectly arranged, a judgmental expression on her face, the taller of the two women was clearly the town gossip everyone had warned Abby around.

The other woman muttered something and hastened away.

“Good evening, Mrs. Hill,” Abby said as she reached her. “I’m Abby Swanson, how do you do?”

Clearly caught off guard but trying not to show it, the woman sniffed and lifted her chin. “Good evening.”

“Yes, you’re right, I’ve kissed Carson Weston. I’m leaving on Sunday, see? And I want to make sure I get in as many kisses as possible before then. You have beautiful hair, by the way. I hope you enjoy June’s book launch and thank you for coming.”

With another big smile, Abby turned and walked back to where Carson was waiting for her.

He took her hand. “She hasn’t moved since you spoke to her.”

“She’s probably just very lonely.” Abby sighed as they neared the library. “That’s something I learned while we were in the system. The really nasty kids were usually the loners who were carrying way too much pain for one heart to handle.”

Putting an arm around her shoulders, Carson hugged her tightly. “You’re something special, Abby Swanson, I hope you know that. The world needs more people like you. By the way, I’m ready to kiss whenever you are, just sayin’,” he drawled.

“Behave, cowboy,” she grinned as her heart expanded.

Leaving him on Sunday was going to be one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do.

Chapter Twelve

Late Saturday afternoon, two days later, Carson parked in front of his house. They’d been busy since early this morning feeding the calves. The days were getting shorter, the temperature colder.

As he got out of his truck, George’s happy barking reached him. Since Abby had been staying with him, the puppy kept close to her during the day and went with her when she worked in Dylan and June’s house.

At least he’d have company when Abby left tomorrow. Tomorrow … Inhaling, he shook his head, he was not going to think about that tonight. They still had a few hours before then. As he lengthened his strides, his heart did a few flips. He couldn’t wait to see Abby.

He found her in the bedroom in front of the mirror, struggling with something at the back of a gorgeous green dress. George was sitting in front of her, looking adoringly up at the vision in green.