Page 10 of The Roper & the Author

Chapter

Four

Marci stayed up late.She Googled Walker Coleville and watched video after video of him steer roping. Her stomach bubbled just staring at him all tall, manly, and inspiring on his horse, his hat shadowing his handsome face, obviously the king of the rodeo. He was the most impressive and enticing cowboy on earth.

Unfortunately, he had to leave her for a rodeo. Shoot. How could she develop a relationship with him if he left? An unreal magnetic draw at first glances and touches was wonderful. Now they had to progress and deepen those feelings, share experiences, inside jokes, kisses …

Pushing the dream of kissing Walker and the worries of not developing a relationship away, she retrieved her laptop and typed everything from the first look and all the feels that look with Walker produced. She continued with him racing up to her on his noble steed and jumping off, everything he’d said, every simple touch, every glance. Oh, my, she was smitten. Forget her work in progress. She was writing a book featuring a cowboy and heavy on romance. Maybe an entire series. Her fans wouldn’t mind if the romance overrode the suspense just this time.

Finally she forced herself to her knees, praying long and hard for Abuelita’s safety and thanking Heavenly Father over and over for the good Lord’s most beautiful creation—Walker Coleville. She slipped into bed and fell asleep smiling.

She woke to a rap on her door early the next morning. She flung herself off the bed and sprinted for the door. Flinging it open, she grinned widely. “Wa … Easton.Buen día. How are you?”

Easton stood there in a T-shirt, shorts, and runners. “Good morning, beautiful.” His gaze traveled over her hair sticking up every which way and the too-big flannel heart pajamas she’d found in the stack of clothes in the closet.

“Beautiful?” She guffawed at that. “You need your eyes checked,mi amigo. Is it my workout date with my favorite twins of all time?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Let’s do this.” She moved to step out of the room, then looked down. “On second thought, give me a minute, please.”

“Take as long as you need.”

“Gracias.” She closed the door and rushed into the bathroom, used it quickly and pulled her hair into a smooth ponytail, brushed her teeth, and put on some lip gloss. Easton had said Walker would work out with them. Right? When she’d said favorite twins, he’d said yes. How exciting. She wanted to put on makeup but refrained. She couldn’t look like she was trying too hard. Running into the closet, she found a T-shirt, running tights, socks, and some running shoes that were only a little bit snug. Bless whoever had gifted her all these clothes and toiletries.

She rushed back out. Easton was in the hall, leaning against the wall. He looked casual but almost like he was trying to look casual. It made her laugh. “You are quite the poser, aren’t you?”

“A poser?” he asked, straightening and walking toward her, a smirk on his lips.

“Yeah, you pose to look good for all the interested ladies.” She pushed his arm and grinned. He was the big brother she’d longed for. “I’m sure no one can resist you. Do you have dozens of girlfriends?”

“You’re right, no woman can resist me.” He pumped his eyebrows. “But I’m saving myself for the perfect lady for me.”

“You’re such a flirt. I love it.” She didn’t tell him that no one earth would believe he was waiting for his ‘perfect lady.’ He was far too much of a player. Yet as the author, she’d reformed many a playboy. It could happen for Easton when the right woman came along to tame him.

“Do you now?”

“Oh yes, your whole aura is just incredible. I’m using you in my next book.” The fans would love him and wait impatiently for his story, but he was a side character in her next book. The ideal cowboy’s sidekick. She wasn’t sure if she’d make them twins yet.

His grin grew. “Perfect. I can give you all kinds of writing material.”

She laughed. Hard. “I bet you can.” She’d written characters like Easton, a lot of them. They were always fun to break and to find out why they’d turned into a major womanizer. Easton had that playboy vibe down to an art.

She loved the charming characters who couldn’t settle down until they found the right one. Then they were loyal and crazy in love. It would be intriguing to see who Easton’s right one was. If only Marci could stay around long enough to see that magic happen for this adorable cowboy. If everything went well tonight, Abuelita would be rescued, the bad guys apprehended, and she’d head back home to Florida. She wanted Abuelita safe.

She did not want to leave Walker Coleville, though.

She darted around Easton, anxious to get to Walker. “Did you say we workout in the garage?” she asked over her shoulder.

“The barn,” he said.

“Let’s do this work out thing.” She pumped a fist in the air.

He chuckled and kept up with her. They burst out the front door, and the cold morning air hit her like a wall. The moon was still out and it was a beautiful early morn, the dark forest eerie but also gorgeous. She was in awe of this mountain sanctuary.

She stopped on the porch and hugged herself, shivering. Her bare arms did not like this temperature. Thank heavens for the tights she’d found. “Brr. You don’t get air like this in the Florida Keys. Brisk, dry, and fresh. Stinging almost. That’ll just wake you right up, won’t it?”

“For sure.” Easton was grinning at her as if she were very cute. He wrapped an arm around her. “I’ll keep you warm.”

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