Page 8 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

“I’m making progress, then.”

“How do you figure that?”

“In the beginning, you told me it would be abadidea. Last time, you told me that it wouldn’t be a good idea. Now, you’re not sure. I’ll just keep at it while you get to thinking it’s not a terrible idea, and eventually, that it’s a great idea. That’s why I was asking how long you plan to stay.”

She made a face. “Not long. You already know that, Travis. I intend to go home just as soon as I can.”

“Doesn’t mean we can’t have fun while you’re here.”

She shook her head slowly.

“And since you’re putting me under pressure, I have to step up.”

“What?” she spluttered. “I’m not putting you under pressure, I …”

He laughed. “I meant time pressure. I know I don’t have long.”

She let out a short laugh. “You’re something else.”

“I am – glad you noticed.” He glanced over at her. “Seriously, darlin’. If I’m being a pain in the ass – if you’re not interested – just say so. I’m not going to tiptoe around it; I’d like to take you out, see what might happen for us. But most importantly, I want to be a friend to you, okay?”

“Okay. And …”

“What?”

“Thanks, Travis.”

They were almost back to MacFarland Ranch, where Callie lived, when he turned off the highway.

Retta looked around. “I didn’t realize that you were this close to the ranch.”

“Yep. I’m their new next-door neighbor.”

The driveway was lined with trees and curved sharply away from the road. She was surprised to see a large building with a whole parking lot in front of it. There was only one truck there, though.

She gave him a puzzled look. “Do you expect to have a lot of company?”

He laughed and parked in the spot closest to the doors. “I’m hoping that this whole parking lot will be full much of the time, but not with folks coming to see me – with customers; this is the restaurant.”

“Oh! Of course. Callie told me a little bit about what you plan to do here.”

“I’ll tell you all about it, if you like. First of all, do you want to see inside? I need to run in and have a word with Ty before he leaves, but if you’re not interested …”

She nodded rapidly. “I’d love to see it, if you don’t mind.”

“Then wait right there, I’ll be around.”

He got the wheelchair out and ready for her before he opened her door. She’d already unfastened her seat belt, and he held his arms out to her.

“You ready?”

“Yep.”

She closed her eyes and let him lift her down from the truck. She should probably make more of an effort to do it herself, and only let him assist her when necessary. But it seemed that he wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the way he kept picking her up.

Instead of sitting her in the wheelchair, he let her feet touch the ground, and she tried to find her balance. He kept his arm around her and smiled.

“I’ve got you. I just thought you might like to stand for a minute.”

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