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“You like Calder, don’t you?”
“He’s the best.” Rhett chuckled. “I didn’t want the position of manager. It’s a lot of pressure.”
“Why did you take it? What changed your mind?”
“Calder wouldn’t take no for an answer. I’m glad I did because I love it.”
“I love his name. Calder.”
“Whatever. He’s ugly as sin, though,” Rhett said, trying not to laugh.
“He is not! That man is gorgeous. Do you live on the ranch?”
“Yes, I live in a cabin. I can’t see me working anywhere else.”
“It’s good to have a job you love.”
“Yep. Cin? Can you tell me why you can’t have kids?”
“I had a severe case of endometriosis and had a hysterectomy. It was the only way to stop the bleeding and pain.”
“You did what you had to do, Cin.”
“I know. I had horrible periods when I was in high school, but that pain was nothing compared to the endometriosis.”
He kissed her head. “I’m sorry, darlin’.”
“It’s all right. I’ve accepted it. I had to or I’d go nuts.”
“I understand that. Let’s get some sleep, darlin’. I have to get up in a few hours and try to get home.”
“All right,” she said as she snuggled against him.
He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. He mentally shook his head because he knew he was falling, but he didn’t panic. This felt…right.
****
Later that morning, Lucinda woke up to an empty bed. She called his name, but he didn’t answer. So she jumped up and put her robe and slippers on. She went down the stairs, to the kitchen and then the living room, but he was nowhere to be seen. She went back to the kitchen and looked out the back door. There he was. He was shoveling his truck out. The snow had stopped, and the sun was shining. Lucinda hated to see him go. This is ridiculous. For Heaven’s sake, he was down the road, not in another state. She opened the door and stepped onto the porch, folding her arms across her chest. He hadn’t seen her yet. She scooped up snow from the porch, made it into a ball, threw it at him, and hit him in the back. She watched as he slowly turned around to face her. She caught her breath. Lord, he was magnificent. She’d always loved cowboys. From his black hat pulled low on his forehead to his well-worn cowboy boots. He was pure cowboy, and he was scrumptious.
“You don’t have much on to be starting snowball fights.” He walked to the bottom of the porch steps and looked at her. She smiled.
“I didn’t start a snowball fight. I just wanted your attention.”
Rhett grinned. “Well, you’ve got it. Now what?”
Lucinda frowned. “I don’t know. You seem to be in an awful hurry to leave me. I can’t believe you’re leaving me for a cow. She must be something.”
Rhett laughed. “Oh, she is. Big brown eyes that always look sad. How can I hurt her?” He moved up a step.
“You’d rather hurt me? What does that say about this relationship we started? You want to tear out of here so fast, you can’t go back to bed with me once more before you go.”
Rhett advanced up another step. “Lucinda, haven’t you heard of quickies? I might have time for that.”
She burst out laughing. “Of course, I’ve heard of them. I dealt with them constantly not too long ago. I like it… slow and easy now.”
Rhett moved up another step, making them eye level. He put his lips close to hers and kissed her. “I like it any way I can get it with you.”
Lucinda threw her arms around his neck. “Do you have to go?”
