Page 11 of Big Gruff Cowboy

“Then stop growling at them and go be handsome somewhere else. You’re distracting me.”

He gives me a saucy grin, the grumpy frown I love so much fading from his features. “There are other ways I can distract you.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m not marrying you, Noah Maple.”

He invades my space, stepping next to me and crowding my body. I can feel the heat coming from his skin and I imagine what it would feel like to have our tongues tangling together. “I’m not letting you go, Lizzy.”

“Noah—” I call his name in warning. He can’t say stuff like this to me.

He takes my hand in his, pressing kisses to my knuckles. “Let me take you on a date.”

I pull my hand away as gently as I can, hating the disappointment that flickers on his face. “I’m not going out with you.”

“Yet,” he promises with a wink just as his cellphone rings. He answers it when he sees it’s a call from his brother.

I turn away and get back to busying myself with the shop. As I do, the social worker’s words come back to me. I was ten and she’d left my file unattended after yet another failed placement. I can still see those words in her flowing cursive. No family wants little Lizzy. She’s not pretty or smart or outgoing.

Noah might think he wants me today but once he gets to know me, he’ll change his mind. He’ll see that I’m not family material.

Chapter 6

Lizzy

“Another beautiful day to spend reading,” I tell Mr. Darcy as I flip open the smutty alien book on the checkout counter.

After Noah’s phone call yesterday, he had to leave to help his brother with something on the family farm. He did text me before bed last night, wishing me a good night.

I didn’t respond to the message that made me smile. I don’t want to encourage him even if he makes my heart flutter. It’s better to keep my distance than wish for something that’s never going to last.

I turn to the chapter I’ve been reading. Wednesdays are always slow days here at the bookstore.

The bell above the door jingles and my heart skips a beat. I lift my head, hoping for one crazy moment that it’s Noah.

But it’s Walt instead. He’s whistling as he comes in. Today is usually his day off. “I’m working the counter today. I need you to help my best customer.”

“I didn’t know you had a best customer,” I answer. There are romance book clubs in Courage County, and they buy a lot of books. But it’s more of a group purchase, and Walt gives them a great discount.

“As of last night, he is my best customer. He placed an order worth thousands of dollars in profit. We’ll be set through winter.”

I grin at my grandfather. “That’s great news. Whatever you need me to do, just let me know.”

The bell above the door jingles again and in walks Noah.

Walt beams. “There he is!”

I open and close my mouth in shock. I shouldn’t be surprised. Noah is always finding a way to get close to me.

“Lizzy.” He nods to me then eyes my cat. “Mr. Darcy.”

Mr. Darcy meows and moves to rub up against his jean-clad legs. I think Noah has won him over. The hot cowboy is making friends with my cat.

“You can’t be serious!” I tell my grandfather.

Walt shrugs. He looks so pleased by this order.

Noah’s smile broadens. “I really need someone with expertise. See, I’m building a library in my home. A personal library.”

“Then fill it with books you love. Next customer.” I turn away from him.

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