Page 16 of The Roper & the Author

“Yes.”

“Yay!” Marci cheered, relief so strong she felt weak filling her. “I thought he had a girlfriend. Oy! I was such a mess. You called his horse a girlfriend?” She turned, wanting to run back to Walker and hug him tight. He didn’t have a girlfriend. Of coursehe didn’t. A loyal cowboy like Walker wouldn’t lead her on if he had a girlfriend.

“Sorry. It’s just a tease about his horse because she’s a mare.”

“It’s okay. I was a disaster, but now I’m so happy.” She paused. “But he’s leaving.”

“Probably for the best,” Jared grunted.

“Why is it for the best?”

His dad didn’t want her to fall for Walker. Why?

“You’ll be leaving soon, and Walker is just getting over … a rough heartbreak.”

“Oh.”

He started walking toward the house again. Marci kept pace with him, feeling like her own heart was breaking. Walker didn’t have a girlfriend, but he had apparently just lost one. She wanted to heal him, love him, but she’d likely never see him again.

They entered through the main door. The house smelled like cinnamon and sugar. It was warm and welcoming. “Millie has all kinds of breakfast ready for you. Whenever you’re ready, feel free to come down.”

“Will Walker be at breakfast?”

“He’ll shower and eat at his house and leave for the airport.”

“Oh.” Disappointment coursed through her. They hadn’t even said goodbye. The only way she’d get to see him again was to run to his house, but Jared or Easton would follow her and mess it all up.

“Thank you,” she managed. She dragged her feet up the stairs and into her room. She took a long shower, then dressed in some comfortable gray joggers and a long-sleeved red T-shirt she found in the variety of clothes in the closet.

She should’ve headed down to breakfast after she got dressed, but she stretched out on top of the bed and let the melancholy overwhelm her. Abuelita was in serious danger, Marci was stuck in Montana with no way to help, and Walkerwas flying away. She was certain she’d met the man of her dreams, and now her dreams were shattering.

She must’ve drifted off. Peeling her eyes open, she saw the sun was bright outside the north-facing windows and slanting in from the west. Her eyes and throat were scratchy and dry. She slid to her knees, said a prayer for Abuelita and for a good attitude and more faith and for Aiden’s people, especially Autumn impersonating her, to be safe. She also prayed for Walker to be safe and succeed at his roping. She added that whatever should work out with her and Walker to work out, but she feared the answer would be nothing could work out between them.

Standing, she walked into the bathroom and used it, brushing her teeth and putting on eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss. She ran a brush through her hair and peered at herself in the mirror. She looked as discouraged as she felt and wasn’t sure why she’d wasted the time with makeup.

Tonight, Autumn would rescue Abuelita. Marci would have to trust in that. She and Walker Coleville weren’t meant to be like she’d imagined. He could become the inspiration for one of the heroes in one of her books, more likely an entire series of books. He’d never be her personal hero or her love, her ownvaquero guapo. It was better if she accepted that truth and stopped pouting. She pasted on a smile, but her heart still hurt.

Her stomach grumbled and she hoped Mama hadn’t waited with breakfast for her. It was probably mid-afternoon. She may have missed breakfast and lunch by now. She said another prayer and kept the smile on her face. These Colevilles were taking care of her. She wanted to be a good house guest and not mope around because Walker was gone and Abuelita was in trouble. Abuelita would say it would all work out, but she sure wished it would work out with Abuelita safe and Marci in Walker’s arms.

She strode to the door and flung it open. A tall, handsome cowboy leaned against the opposite wall. He straightened and a slow, devastating smile curved his lips.

“Walker!” she screamed out. She ran out into the hallway and launched herself against his glorious chest. “You’re here! You came back! You didn’t leave yet? Oy!Estoy tan feliz!”

She clung to him and didn’t even care that she was making a fool of herself. Walker was here. Had he given up his rodeo to be with her? Was he willing to move past his heartache and give love a chance? Were all of her dreams about to come true?

His arms came around her back and he lifted her slightly off her feet before settling with her cuddled against his well-built body.

“Marci,” he whispered softly against her hairline.

Marci burrowed in and savored the feel of his strong chest and arms, his soft T-shirt, the musky smell of man, leather, and horse. She wished she dared arch up and kiss him. She could blame her impulsive move on the excitement of him coming back.

She wasn’t brave enough to plant one on him, but she enjoyed every moment of the hug. She hadn’t even dared pray for Walker to come back for her and here he was. Heaven was full of miracles, and she was ecstatic. Of course Abuelita would be rescued and maybe Walker Coleville would fall head over heels in love with Marci. She would never doubt again.

Chapter

Six

Walker heldMarci close and praised heaven above for this moment. He’d never felt anything so incredible, so right as her in his arms. Even though he knew he needed to let her go. He’d promised his brother to keep her safe but not make moves on her. Ah, this was a mess.

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