Page 242 of Romeo

That was enough to keep me sitting there like an idiot for a while.

Eventually, the phone vibrated again.

Ma Belle: Jasper?

Me: Yeah?

Ma Belle: If I ever came to Nebraska...

I straightened. The message ended there, and the three dots appeared again.

Ma Belle: Would you show me everything?

A smile pulled at my mouth.

Me: Everything you wanted to see.

Ma Belle: Clubhouse too?

Me: Absolutely.

Ma Belle: Your business?

Me: Definitely.

Ma Belle: The town?

Me: All of it.

Ma Belle: Your favorite places?

I looked around the common room.

There were plenty of places around Diamond Creek I could show her. Roads I liked riding when I wanted to clear my head. The diner that knew my breakfast order. Quiet spots outside town where Nebraska opened into nothing but sky.

None of them were the first answer that came to mind.

Me: I’ve got a new favorite place lately.

Ma Belle: Where?

Me: Anywhere you are.

Her reply came immediately.

Ma Belle: That was smooth

Me: Wasn’t trying to be.

Ma Belle: Somehow that makes it worse.

Me: You asked.

Ma Belle: I know.

I hesitated before typing the next message—not because I didn’t mean it, but because I did.

Me: When, baby, not if. When you come to Nebraska, I’ll share my whole fucking life with you.