Page 102 of The One Who Saw Her: Boone

He smoothed a hand through her hair. "I'd love to."

"Sweet Tea and Swipe Right. Dating profiles for small-town people looking for big-time love."

He shook his head slowly, fighting with everything he had not to grin like a complete fool.

Don't get ahead of yourself, Boone.

"So where were you thinking of setting up headquarters?" he asked, his palms running up and down her arm.

"I was thinking—maybe—Bridlewood."

He went very still—the idea hitting him square in the chest like a summer lightning bolt.

"Bridlewood," he said carefully. "You sure?"

"No," she admitted—and he could hear it, the honest waver between exploring the country and exploring them. And he meant what he was about to say, even though part of him was fighting like hell against it.

"Boots, I don't want you to feel like you're settling. I don't want to be the reason you stay if your heart's pulling somewhere else."

She tilted her head and studied him the way she did when she was deciding how much to give. "Do you want me to go?"

"Hell no," he said, fast and low and without a single hesitation. "But I'd rather lose you to your own life than keep you from it. That's the last thing I'd ever do."

She playfully leaned. "What if you're part of my dream?"

Boone's heart thudded like a rodeo drum.

"Then," he said, slow and certain—the way he said things he meant to keep—"I guess I'm signing up for the ride of my life."

CHAPTER 40

Boone was midway through polishing a saddle when the barn door slammed open so hard it rattled the rafters. He looked up just in time to see Virgil storming in, face red, boots kicking up gravel, and a glare that could punch through wood.

"Callahan!" Virgil barked, slamming a hand on the nearest flat surface. "We need to talk."

Boone raised a brow, keeping his voice even. "Well, you've already got my attention. What's got your britches in a twist this time?"

Virgil yanked a piece of paper from his pocket and thrust it at him. Boone caught it, squinting as he unfolded it and read:

Dear Mr. Maddox,

I hope this finds you well. I wanted to reach out regarding the water rights. I know you've got your reasons, but the Callahans have done so much for this town—keeping it running, supporting the people, and generally being the backbone everyone leans on. Maybe you could reconsider your stance on the water issue. It would mean a lot to all of us.

Also, I know this might be a little forward, but if you ever need help putting yourself out there, I'd be happy to write a dating bio for you. Free of charge. Consider it a small token of gratitude.

Thanks for considering it.

—Vivi

Boone stared at the letter like it had just bitten him.

His chest tightened, the barn suddenly felt smaller and hotter than it had been thirty seconds ago. He could feel his pulse in his ears—that slow, familiar burn that meant trouble. Anger, betrayal and disappointment all wrapped into one messy, gut-punching knot in his stomach and then tightened to the point of pain.

He’d asked her to stay out of his business and she'd stuck her nose in it anyway.

Vivi. Sweet, clever, maddening Vivi—who he'd trusted, who he'd let all the way in, who he'd told—had gone behind his back. Exactly the thing he told her not to do. And now he was left holding a mess he hadn't asked for and sure as hell didn't need right now.

His hands tightened on the letter, and he wanted to throw the damn thing across the barn. He could almost hear her voice in his head—that little satisfied lilt she got when she knew she was being clever. But this wasn't clever. This wasn’t cute. And this sure a hell wasn’t a joke.