AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thank you. Best of luck to you as well.”
And just like that, another one of her contestants was walking away from her. Snow felt nothing but relief. It was too bad. There was so much to be liked about Preston. As soon as he’d realized he was leaving her out, he’d changed. The dynamic between them had also changed to something Snow could find possibility in. She had liked him. Truly and genuinely.
What an unfortunate turn of the evening.
“I never meant to interfere with anything y’all had goin’ on,” Judd said, interrupting her thoughts and removing his hat with his free hand. He’d remained by her door, holding the cellophane-wrapped apple against his chest as though he were a quarterback gripping a football.
Snow shook herself out of her momentary daze. “It’s for the best, I think.” She touched his arm in a comforting gesture. “Thank you for the flowers. They were really sweet. I love roses.”
Though the flowers were a tad tussled, they kept their shape—and their smell. Snow drank in the sumptuous scent and attempted to regain her composure. She was still rattled from Preston’s outburst.
“I wasn’t sure what your favorite was, but I figured roses were a safe bet.”
“You’re right. Most women like roses. My favorite flower is freesias.”
Judd shifted. “Can’t say I know them off the top of my head,” he said. “But I’ll see what the florist has to say.”
“I love that you were thinking of me, Judd,” Snow said, trying to soothe and slow the clatter that had set into her bloodstream. “And you’re the lucky man who’s my next date. What’ll it be?”
“You ever rode a horse?” he said without a pause.
She tapped his hat, which was currently tucked at his side with two fingers. “I should have known that would be what you would suggest.”
“There’s a ranch not far from here. I already talked to the producers about the possibility of takin’ you there.”
“I’ve never ridden a horse,” Snow said, again touched at his consideration. “I grew up in a small town in Vermont, but I’ve always been what you’d call a city girl.”
“Then, City Girl, I’ll be mighty pleased to introduce you to the country.” Eyes gleaming, he lifted his chin with pride.
Snow felt better already. Judd had managed to remedy an uncomfortable situation without breaking a sweat. She liked that about him—a lot. She liked that he’d taken steps to make her feel special without needing a camera to catch him doing so. He was about her same height—she’d prefer someone a little taller—but what did that matter in the course of a lifetime compared to other more important matters like treating others with kindness and respect?
“I’d love a little more country in my life,” she said. “As long as we get to run?”
“You won’t be doing much runnin’. That’s the horse’s job.”
“What if I want to?” Her tone took on a playful, teasing lilt.
Judd inched in a little closer. “You play your cards right, and I’d betcha you could have just about anything you want when you’re with me.” With his southern twang and the low appealing tone of his voice, a match lit in her insides.
“I’ll hold you to it,” she said. “When are we going?”
Judd rotated simultaneously as Snow made her way to her door. He placed his hat onto his head. “I’ll speak with the producers about it and be in touch.”
“Sounds good.”
He tipped a finger to the brim of his hat and inclined his head. “You have a good rest of your evening now.”
Snow gripped the door handle, but she couldn’t take her eyes from the handsome cowboy, the freckles dusting across his nose, or the infectious way his smile unraveled her every time she caught his gaze.
“You too,” she said, holding the rumpled bouquet of flowers to her nose and inhaling.
Judd’s grin was crooked, and he kept his attention on her for several more moments before he rotated on his cowboy-booted heel and strutted toward the elevator.
Snow simmered inside as she stepped back into her room. What a day! At first, she’d anticipated things going downhill with Preston. His behavior during their date had made her think twice about that—but then he’d reared his surly head again the instant someone else had come into the picture. She was better off being rid of someone so volatile and hot-tempered.
Ending the afternoon with Judd’s surprise was icing on the cake. Snow flopped onto her bed and checked her messages. She’d all but ignored her phone the entire day.
One was from Mom back in Westville, Vermont, asking how things were going. And surprisingly, she had one from Lily. Snow hadn’t talked to Lily much since she’d married the Prince of Einvar and become a real-life princess.
