Page 11 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

“You might as well get used to everyone asking you that, darlin’. We all know that Kolby and Callie would love for you to move here.”

She looked up at him but didn’t answer.

Libby smiled. “I guess we won’t be able to persuade you by putting pressure on you though, will we? But if you’re starting to get out and about, you should come to the bakery on Friday.”

“I might, I don’t know …”

“Don’t worry about Kolby and Callie, I’ll give you a call on Thursday evening. If you want to go, I’ll pick you up and take you.”

“Thanks, I’d like that.”

Travis kept his mouth shut. He’d been planning to ask if he could take her to the usual Friday afternoon get together at the bakery, but perhaps it’d be better if Libby took her – the more friends she made, the better.

“I’d better get on home. Where will you be tomorrow, Trav? I want to talk to you about the barn. I’m thinking I could move some of the horses up here sooner rather than later.”

“I think the best answer is that you’ll just have to text me and see. I want to walk through the cabins and make a list of what they all need. Now that I’m moved in, and we’ve got you and Ty moving on the restaurant and the barn, I’m ready to start thinking about the cabins.”

“Okay, I’ll give you a call.” She smiled at Retta. “And I’ll call you on Thursday, but feel free to call me before if you want to.”

“Thanks.” Retta looked up at him as they watched Libby drive away. “I like her. We had a good chat when I came for Callie and Kolby’s party.”

“Yeah, Libb’s good people. And she must have taken a shine to you. She wouldn’t go out of her way to get you involved otherwise.”

She gave him a puzzled look.

“Not saying that she’s not friendly, but she keeps to herself mostly. Anyway …” He held his arms out to her “… Want to get going? We can drive by the cabins. I’ll show you inside another time. I think you’ve done enough for today.”

She nodded, and he lifted her out of the wheelchair. He felt bad for her that she’d broken her leg and had to wear the cast, but there was no denying that it went in his favor – he hadn’t lied when he said that he liked being able to pick her up and carry her around.

He grinned at her before he put her in the truck. Her arms came up around his neck as she smiled back. It’d be all too easy to lean in and kiss her, but he was biding his time. Like Libby had said – he didn’t want to put any pressure on her.

“I don’t know about me having done enough for one day – you’re the one who has to keep hefting me around.”

“It’s not hefting, darlin’. You’re light as a feather.”

She made a face.

“Okay, maybe not as light as a feather, but you’re just a little slip of a thing. I lift weights heavier than you in the gym.”

She laughed. “I bet you mean that. You’re not just saying it for effect, are you?”

He shrugged. “I’m not bragging, just making the point that it’s no hardship – it’s my pleasure.”

He set her down in the passenger seat and held her gaze for a long moment before he stepped back.

Her pupils dilated as she stared back at him. “What are you thinking?”

“That it’d be a crying shame if you go home.”

Her cheeks flushed pink, but she didn’t look away. Instead, she shook her head slowly. “My life’s there.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Your daughter’s here – you could build a new life here.” He was sorely tempted to add something about building a life with him in it, but he managed to bite histongue. Yeah, he found himself more attracted to her than he’d been to any woman in years, but he didn’t need to go jumping the gun. They’d known each other for a while, but they didn’t know each other all that well yet.

He smiled and closed her door before going around to the driver’s side.

~ ~ ~

Retta fell in love with the house the moment she saw it. She hadn’t realized that the property was so large. After they left the restaurant, Travis had driven her past the barn where Libby was going to bring some of her horses. Then, he’d shown her three cabins – he said that these were the closest to the main road that led through the property – although they were each set back in their own private space. He said he’d show her the other nine another time – they were scattered around the property and more private still.

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