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Smiling, I shut my laptop and cross the kitchen floor to the tall, broad-shouldered man on my front porch.
“Door’s still not locked,” Charlie says. His gruff growl of a voice warms my stomach. But it’s what’s in his arms that has sunshine—bright, brilliant—splitting my chest open.
Sunflowers.
He brought me flowers.The mere thought makes me dizzy.
I push open my door, smothering a smile at the sight of this brawny rancher cradling two delicate pots of sunflowers that have his biceps bulging.
“Flowers?” I arch a brow.
Charlie shifts on his feet, his expression chagrined, almost boyish. “Apology flowers.”
“For what?”
He sets the pots on the porch and straightens up, the muscles in his tan forearms rippling. “For my idiot brother almost scaring you to death yesterday.”
I flash him a wan smile. If only he knew the truth of that statement.
Seeing the bones shocked my heart into haywire status. The stress of it all had me fumbling. I had to get out of there before I fell over. I couldn’t chance Charlie seeing that happen to me.
Removing his cowboy hat, Charlie runs a big hand through his unruly dark hair. “I promise Wyatt’s not really an idiot. He just acts like one.” His eyes crinkle when he smiles. It makes him look soft and strong at the same time.
I glance down at the bright yellow pots with sunflowers planted haphazardly in the soil. My father would have a fit at the messy planting job, but I love the way it looks. Love that this man took the time to do this for me.
I swallow, my heart melting into a gooey mess. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
“I should’ve come by yesterday and made sure you were okay.” Regret creases his face. “We just ...had some shit to take care of for the ranch.”
“Those rival brothers?” Worry for Charlie hits me like lightning. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” A muscle flexes in his jaw. “We’ll get it handled.”
I nod at the pots. “You look good with flowers, Cowboy.” Stepping onto the porch, I sink down beside his sweet gift. Gently, I swipe a reverent finger over the delicate flower petals. “Think you need them all over the ranch.” I gasp, a thought hitting me. I look up at him. “Maybe you need a garden.”
Amusement flickers in his eyes. “A garden, huh?”
“Oh, I think very much a garden. Set back against your cabin. In the mornings, when you have coffee, they’ll be your best view.”
He grunts. “Think I got a pretty damn good view already.” His gaze falls to my lips and my face grows hot.
“Hydrangeas,” I blurt. “Larkspur. I think they’d grow in this weather.” I brighten. “I could show you how to garden.”
He chuckles. “I’ll add it to my to-do list.” Then he sinks beside me, watching as I dip my hand in the soil. “Did I do okay?” he asks, tilting the front brim of his cowboy hat as he sets it back on his head.
Though his voice is gruff, the question is earnest and has my heart palpitating.
“Better than,” I tell him, and his eyes turn soft and heated.
I glance back at the flowers. I miss my garden, but my heart, my soul is rooted in this Montana dirt.
I run a finger along one of the blooms, examining them close. A gorgeous bicolor mix of cream, dusty rose, and ruby red. I gasp as realization dawns. “These are Ruby Eclipse.” I smile at him. “You found my name in a flower.”
He studies me, clearing his throat. “Meant to be.”
“Yeah,” I whisper. “Must be.”
When I go to stand, Charlie reaches down and takes my hand, helping me up.
