Page 27 of The Roper & the Author

When the rap came on her door, she raced for it and swung it wide. Nerves flooded her body; she could hardly wait to spend the day with Walker. She stared at him in a T-shirt and shorts, his thick hair mussed and his lovely arm and leg muscles revealed. He stared right back at her.

“Do you always look this beautiful first thing in the morning?” he asked, his voice tinged with awe.

“Ah,gracias,but I’ll admit that I was prepared today. You should’ve seen me yesterday morning when Easton came for me,hair sticking up all over the place, rumpled flannel pajamas, the sleep crease on my cheek, a little drool running down from my mouth to my chin.” She gestured to where the dribble would go and was rewarded with a deep chuckle from Walker. “I think I shocked him a bit.”

“I don’t know about that. He was very … impressed with you.”

“Can you blame him?” She lifted her shoulders and winked.

“No, I can’t,” he said softly.

It was all she could do to hold in a squeal. He was definitely the perfect hero. Her perfect hero.

A few beats passed, and she waited for him to reach out and gather her in his arms. Forget a formal exercise routine. The kissing session they would experience would be a workout all on its own.

She smiled and waited and waited.

“I startedUntil the Dawnlast night.”

“Get out the door,” she cried out, clapping her hands together. He’d started reading the first book in one of her most recent series. “How cute are you?”

He smirked. “I’m not sure how to answer that one.”

“That was very kind of you, to read my book.”

“I only had time to read the first three chapters, but it was intense and well-written and …” He studied her. “You’re very humble to say you get your inspiration from heaven. The plot is intriguing and convoluted, the characters deep and intriguing. I think it’s impressive you give God the glory.”

“Thank you. That means the world.” She put a hand to her chest. He’d been perfect to her before. Now he was flawless, impeccable, unrivaled. He was her hero, and she could not let him go.

“We’d better get our workout in. Chest, shoulders, and tris today.”

“Oh … okay.” Disappointment filled her. The only thing imperfect about her hero was his lack of making moves on her and changing the subject when they were talking about her books. “I would take any advice from you. Your chest, shoulders, and triceps are ideal.”

“Thank you,” he murmured.

They walked downstairs. Within moments, they were out into the chilly morning air. It smelled as crisp and clean as it felt.

“Oy,” she exclaimed. “I can’t wrap my mind around the quality in this air. It’s so fresh it’s likevaya! I’m awake!Bien?”

He chuckled. “Muy bien,” he returned, which made her smile. She’d meantbienas in ‘right’, but he’d used it as ‘very good’. She could teach him loads of Spanish.

She wrapped her arms around herself for warmth and bounced as they walked. She prayed that he’d wrap her up to keep her warm like Easton had done yesterday. They walked around the house and through the beautiful yard, the grass crunching under her feet. The moist earth greeted them.

“Easton wrapped his arm around me yesterday,” she blurted out.

His gaze darted to her, and she nodded eagerly. Was that not enough of a hint?

“I saw that,” he grunted out. Then he upped his pace. “We’re almost there.”

He held the barn door for her, and she bit back disappointment. Either he hadn’t caught the hint or he didn’t want to wrap his arm around her. Shoot. How could she get him to make the moves on her?

Marci stewed as they started lifting weights. She stayed close by his side and asked him for help repeatedly, most of all with her form because then he had to put his hand on her back or her arm to help her.

When Walker finally declared they’d done all the lifts they needed to do for chest, shoulders, and triceps, her arms were quivering.

She tilted her head toward the barn. “Do you need to go feed the animals?”

“No. I did it earlier.”

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