Page 51 of Saltwater Cowboy

“Maybe.”

“You’re an asshole, Calloway.”

“You’ll grow to like me.”

“Not so sure about that,” she shot back, sounding more like the Rose I met on the plane—sharp, quick-witted.

I wasn’t sure how to move on from here. “You like dogs, right?”

“Yeah. More than people.”

I let out a soft chuckle. “Me too.”

Silence stretched between us, long enough that I glanced at my phone to make sure she hadn’t hung up.

“When are you thinking about moving in?” I finally asked.

“I’ll pack this weekend and move in next weekend. The girl I was filling in for at the Coastal Cup comes back Friday.”

My mind raced. I had a hell of a lot of cleaning up to do before then.

“Yeah, that works.”

“Alright,” she said, and I could hear the uncertainty in her voice. “Guess I’ll see you next weekend then.”

“Guess so.”

More silence. I could practically hear her second-guessing this whole thing.

“You having doubts already, Sunshine?”

“No,” she said quickly, then sighed. “Maybe. It’s just… a lot.”

“Yeah,” I admitted. “It is.”

I heard her shift, the sound of fabric rustling like she was lying back on a couch or bed. “Are you sure about this?”

I frowned. “Wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t.”

Another pause, then a soft exhale. “Okay.”

That one word held more weight than I expected.

“Get some rest, Rose,” I said, keeping my voice even. “You’ll need it before moving onto a farm.”

She let out a quiet laugh. “God help me.”

The call ended, leaving me sitting there in the dark, Granger snoring softly at my feet.

I stared out at the fields, my mind still catching up to what just happened.

Rose Solace was actually moving in.

I KNOW IT WON’T WORK

Moving into Wells Calloway’s house might be the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. Considering my track record, that’s saying something.

I stare at the half-packed suitcases on my bed, hands on my hips, willing them to pack themselves. If I hesitate long enough, maybe the universe will intervene—send a sign, a sudden change of plans, anything to get me out of this ridiculous arrangement. But nothing happens, so I shove another dress inside and zip it shut.