Page 38 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

She gave him a rueful smile and patted the cast on her leg. “And it’ll take some time before we can do anything about it even if we decide we want to go in that direction.”

“True.” He squeezed her hand. “So, what do you say – keeping it simple for now, do you want to come stay here instead of in one of the cabins?”

“Yes, please.” She smiled. “And thanks, Travis.”

He leaned across and brushed his lips over hers. “I feel like I’m the one who should be saying thank you.”

~ ~ ~

After spending the day in the first three cabins and making comprehensive lists of what they’d need, then having dinner together, Retta was tired. She felt bad relaxing on the sofa while Travis cleaned up the kitchen. She wasn’t used to having anyone around to do things for her – let alone someone who wanted to do everything.

She stared unseeing at the laptop. She’d been looking at heavy duty rugs. The cabins needed to feel warm and welcoming, but everything they put in there needed to be robust. For one thing, the guests would be men who she didn’t imagine would be too careful. For another, this was Montana. Callie had told her all about tracking snow inside the house in winter, and mud in the spring.

She’d lost interest in what she’d been looking at – she was all caught up in thinking about what it would be like to stay here with Travis. She liked the idea. So far, they got along well. She didn’t see that changing, but she wouldn’t know for sure until they tried it. She’d been on her own a long time. From what he’d told her, so had Travis. He said that he’d lived with a couple of women over the years but hadn’t ever wanted to make a permanent commitment. Not that they were talking about a permanent commitment.

She startled when he rested his hand on her shoulder.

“Penny for them?”

She shook her head. “I just spaced out.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Are you nervous?”

She shrugged. “A little. It’s like I told you this morning – I’d hate to spoil things between us.”

“And it’s like I told you – we won’t.”

“I hope not.”

He perched on the arm of the sofa. “We should think about getting you back to Callie’s place – it’s getting late.”

“Right.” She smiled at him. “Do you want me in the morning?”

A rush of desire coursed through her veins when he winked and said, “I want you now, but we’re going to have to wait a while before that’s a possibility.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “You know what I mean.”

“Sure do, darlin’. And you know what I mean, too.”

“I do. I’m not sure that I’m ready to even talk about it yet but …” She met his gaze and held it “I … I’m looking forward to that part.”

He grinned. “Good to know.” He tapped on the cast. “That thing might have done us a big favor.”

“How so?”

“If you didn’t have that thing on your leg, I’d be moving a damn sight faster. But I think this way’s better.”

“Yeah.”

He chuckled. “You sound disappointed.”

“Honestly? I am. I … I haven’t even dated anyone in years, Travis. I just wasn’t interested. I didn’t feel like I was missing out, but now … with you … I …” She could feel the heat in her cheeks, but he was right – they weren’t kids, and sex was anintegral part of a healthy relationship. There was no reason that they shouldn’t talk about it.

He ran his fingers down her cheek. “It’s been a long time for me as well. I thought maybe I’d lost interest.” He chuckled. “Thought maybe I was too old – that my libido had ridden off into the sunset.”

She laughed. “Are you bullshitting me? You’re such a big flirt.”

“Nope. I’m deadly serious. I wasn’t joking when I told you that flirting’s usually as far as I go.” He shrugged. “I used to make the most of any opportunity that came my way when I was younger, but over the years … it started to feel … hollow, you know?”

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