AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hope shrugged. "Healthy ones, at least." She took another drink. "I enjoyed meeting your family."
He swiveled the recliner toward her. "The feeling was mutual."
"Your nephews are adorable."
Drew smiled. "Yeah. Ornery as hell but adorable."
"Probably much like you and your brothers were at their age."
"I'm sure my mother would tell you we were much worse."
Tucking her feet beneath her, Hope set the glass on the table. "I can't get over all those blue eyes."
"Except for Jack and Mama. They inherited their brown eyes from Mama's side of the family—the Beauregards."
"So, Blackwood blues and Beauregard browns, huh?"
Drew chuckled, causing tiny lines to fan out from the corners of his very own Blackwood blues. "I never thought about it like that, but I guess so."
Hope wondered what color eyes their baby would inherit.
Wow! What a totally unexpected thought. Before she began to hyperventilate on the matter, Hope changed the subject. "Your mother is glad to have you home."
His brow knitted together. "Why do you say that?"
"The smile never left her face, and she couldn't take her eyes off you."
He rolled his own eyes. "If you say so."
"You know damn well she's happy you're here."
A slow grin eased into his cheeks. "Yeah. I know."
Of course he did. "Well, thanks to Zach, I know Lone Oaks hasmillionsof horses. What other kinds of animals live here?"
"The exaggerations of a five-year-old." Drew shook his head. "Let’s see, there's about twenty-five hundred head of Black Angus, a few hogs, some chickens, and who knows how many barn cats."
"And a wolf," Hope added, referring to the huge blue-eyed silvery gray dog that greeted them upon their arrival.
"Only half," Drew clarified. "But you'll never find a more loyal pet than Sadie."
"Or a more intimidating one. I bet not too many strangers amble onto your property with her around."
"Initially, she does present quite the fear factor. Yet while I have no doubt she'd die protecting any one of us, she's really just a big ol' sweetheart. Especially if you’re giving her any attention."
Yeah, Hope had noticed how Sadie’s eyes rolled back in her head while Drew lovingly rubbed the sweet spot behind her ears. Hope could relate. She felt the same light-headed delirium whenever Drew touched her.
Dang. Where didthatthought come from? They were talking about the animals at Lone Oaks. How did that segue into how Drew's touch made her feel?
Maybe because right now, you'd like nothing more than to have his hands all over you.
Or maybe my hormones are just running amok, Hope silently challenged the nagging little voice in her head.
Still, though she might prefer to deny it, Hopewasattracted to Drew. Had been from the first day they'd met. And why wouldn't she be? Drew was every woman's dream, with his compelling lake-blue eyes, mouth-watering hard-bodied physique, and downright lethal smile. Hell, even the scar bisecting his right eyebrow tangled her panties in a knot.
Hope would need to be comatose for Drew to have no effect on her at all. Even then, she’d probably still sense his presence. He had that potent an effect on her.
And likely most every other female he encountered.
