Page 34 of The Roper & the Author

She nodded. “No, that’s great. I can Google more details. Can I see the interior? Do you tow horses to nearby roping events?”

“Yep. Miss Sue is a prima donna and complains about not being able to ride shotgun.” He winked and grinned when she laughed. They walked to the truck. “We have to fly to events that are across the country, but anything within twelve to fourteen hours I’d rather drive. I have to stop often to let the horses out and walk them around, but it’s a cheaper than flying them.” His face got red, and he opened the driver’s door and stepped back, accidentally brushing against her. He’d worked his entire life, saved, and invested with his dad in real estate ventures. Money wasn’t tight for him, but it sounded like Marci came from millions and was successful all on her own, so saying ‘cheaper’ felt awkward.

She peered in. “Ooh, this isesplendido.” She ran her hand over the leather seat, and he had to swallow and look away. He wanted her hands touching him like that.

A few seconds passed, and she nodded and stepped back, shutting the door. “I’m having all kinds of visions about that truck.” She winked. “Can you just imagine you, I mean the cowboy, driving his girl to watch the sun set. He’d push his seat back all the way, lift his cowgirl over the console and onto hislap. Then she’d take his hat off, run her hands through his hair, and kiss him for a very long time. They’d probably miss the sunset.” She grinned as she painted the verbal picture.

Walker could only stare at her. He could envision exactly what she was saying. He was ready to beg her to go on a ride with him. They didn’t need the excuse of a sunset.

“All right.” She clapped her hands together. “Let’s tour this cabin.”

Walker could barely nod. She led the way, oohing and ahhing over the natural landscape and wildflowers out front, the wide front porch with rocking chairs.

“I’d add some flower boxes,” she said, winking at him.

Walker swallowed and typed in the code to open the front door. She could add anything she wanted to his house, as long as she stayed with him.

The lock clicked. He pushed down the handle and swung the door wide. Marci stepped inside. “Oh, my.” She gazed around at the open main floor as he set his hat on the entry table.

Rhett had built Walker, Easton, Miles, and their good friend Cade Miller’s cabin with identical floor plans. The living area was on the right of the main floor, the kitchen and dining on the left with a laundry and bath that led to the garage to the far left. Upstairs there was a master suite on the right side of the loft and two bedrooms with a bathroom between them on the left.

Marci wandered around the main living area, exclaiming over the large windows showcasing the forest, the high-quality appliances, woodwork, and furnishings. He followed her upstairs and was only slightly uncomfortable when she wandered from the spare bedroom and office and into his master suite. She looked at everything, exclaiming it was all ‘tremendo’.

They walked back downstairs. He wanted to make up excuses to keep her here longer. He’d never brought a lady into his house. Marci belonged here.

She stopped in the living room. “I have to try out these leather couches. They look comfy.”

He watched her settle down and moan, “Oh yes. I love the feel of this.”

Walker’s jaw went slack. Did she have any idea how enticing she was?

She glanced up at him. “Everything about your house isperfecto.”

“Thank you,” he managed, running his hand through his hair. He had to think of something to say besides telling her she was perfect, sitting down on the couch next to her, swooping her onto his lap, and kissing her. “How do you know the brand names of appliances and what quality flooring is?”

“Because Abuelita is as charitable a person as you’d meet, but she’s also a wealthy snob. Everything must be high quality.”

“You are very down to earth and unassuming,” he said. “It floors me that you came from money.”

“It’s Abuelita’s money, not mine. I mean, I rock the writing and make fabulous money, but I’m not some multi-millionaire. Yet.”

He was so impressed with her. She wasn’t bragging, just stating the facts. His phone buzzed on his hip. He pulled it out and read the message from Papa. His stomach rolled. He hadn’t realized who Papa would recruit to help him take Marci on a hike.

Would this be a nightmare? He’d only seen Clint and Lily at church and a couple family dinners since they had gotten together. Spending hours with them, with Marci in the mix … he wasn’t so sure it was a good idea. He would have to fight to not make it awkward. Thinking about Lily was like a healing cuton his palm when he was trying to rope. It was healing but still there and could get ripped open with a wrong move. If he could be with Marci, it would heal miraculously.

“Can I just stay here and write all afternoon?” she asked.

Maybe he had a way out.

“Of course. Papa’s arranged it so we can go on a hike in the mountains this afternoon, but if you’d rather?—”

“Yes! I mean no!” She jumped up from the couch. “Yes, I want to hike those beautiful mountains. No, I wouldn’t rather work.” Her eyes widened. “I don’t think I’ve ever said that before. I’d always rather work. You have shown me a new world, Walker Coleville. I can’t wait to explore the mountains that remind me of you—tall, stately, and unequaled in their beauty.”

Walker’s heart did a weird hop. He wanted to show her a lot of things. He wanted to stay with her and love her.

Unfortunately, he could hear the grim reaper music playing. Easton would be here when they woke up in the morning. His own chances with Marci would die a sudden death if he didn’t step up and show her how he felt. Was it rotten of him to want to wrap her up in his arms and convince her with his kiss that he was the right brother for her?

Rotten for sure, but tempting. Marci was more than tempting. She was almost impossible to resist.

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