Page 63 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

He pulled the truck forward as the line moved.

“There is no one word to describe you, you’re kind and generous and … you take care of … it’s not just me. You’re the same with everyone, aren’t you?”

“Yeah. I like to see my people happy. Although, even if it’s notjustyou, it isespeciallyyou.”

She shook her head with a smile. “Thank you.”

He shrugged as he pulled forward again and put his window down to order.

Once they were back on the road, Retta sighed happily as she breathed in the smell of her mocha. It made him laugh.

“You don’t just drink it, do you? You make a whole experience of your coffee.”

“I do. I’ve told you before that my time with my coffee in the morning used to be the best part of my day.”

He glanced over at her. “But it’s not anymore? What’s the best part of your day now?”

“Any time that I get to spend with you,” she answered without hesitation.

“Now I’m the one who gets to say aww.”

She laughed. “It’s true. I know it might sound sappy, but I didn’t mean it that way – I’m just being honest.”

“I feel the same way, darlin’.”

“How far is it to Trip’s office? We’re going there and not to the hospital, right?”

“Yep. It’s just up there.” He pointed through the windshield. “We’ll be there in a minute. And you’re sure you don’t want me to come in with you?”

“No. I’ll be fine. I … I appreciate everything you do for me, Trav. I hope you know that. But I need to feel like I’m still my own person, too.”

“I get it. I’m not trying to force myself on you. More like I want to make sure that you won’t feel like I abandoned you if I run over to check in with Deacon. Text me as soon as you’re done, and I can …”

“No. I’ll just wait. You do what you need to do. If I’m finished before you come back, I can sit in the waiting room and read – that’s what doctor’s offices are for. I’m sure I won’t be the only one.”

He chuckled. “You might be surprised. Trip likes to run a tight ship. He likes to keep things moving and on time. Although, I don’t know if that’s the case at the moment. He’s had some staffing issues lately. I don’t know who’ll be working in the office.”

“Either way, I’ll be fine.”

When he pulled into the small parking lot, he gave her a puzzled look. “Are you worried?”

“No.”

He turned in his seat to face her. “Then what? Your mood just changed.”

She made a face. “You’re too perceptive for my own good.”

“I’m just in tune with you, darlin’. What’s wrong?”

She blew out a sigh. “It’s stupid. When you talked about Trip having staffing issues, the first thing I thought you meant was that I should apply for a job to work for him.”

“Nope, not what I meant; that idea didn’t even occur to me.”

“I realized that almost as soon as I thought it, but then I felt like maybe I should do it anyway.”

“Why? I’m not tracking.”

She shrugged. “I’ve done office work before; I could probably do well and help get him organized.”

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