Page 11 of The Roper & the Author

“Gracias, kind cowboy. Now let’s go.” She rushed forward and he kept up, his warm arm warding off the chill. They hurried around the house, across the grass laden with frost and past flower and vegetable gardens laid to rest for the long winter. She’d written about scenes like this but had never felt and seen them. The crunch under her shoes, the damp chill stinging her toes even through the thick socks and runners. “It’s mid-September and everything is frosty and dying. How cold does it get here?”

“Pretty cold. Below freezing and loads of snow.”

“Incredible. I’ve seen snow before, but not in a long time.” If only she could be here to experience a fresh winter’s morn. She’d have to dress a lot more warmly or have Walker wrap his arm around her.

They reached the barn just as a dark shape appeared through the trees. She peered at the man striding toward them and then her belly did a little flip flop and her heart took off as fast as this handsome cowboy could gallop on his horse.

“Walker,” she cried out. He looked absolutely incredible in a simple T-shirt and shorts. “This is such a thrilling morning.” She clapped her hands together, though her fingertips were frozen. Holding them out as Walker reached the two of them, she exclaimed, “Look at this. My fingers are freezing right off. I’ll describe the sensation much better in my next book, now that I’ve experienced it. Google failed me on that one. It’s numb and stinging at the same time.”

Walker smiled at her, but it wasn’t as vibrant as his smiles from last night. “Mornin’, Marci,” he said softly, looking from her to Easton and back again.

Easton still had his arm around her, keeping her warm like a brother, nothing the way it would feel if Walker was in his place. Easton reached over with his free hand and wrapped it around both of her clasped hands. He pulled their joined hands to his mouth and blew warm air on her fingers.

“Hey,” she exclaimed. “It really works! That’s awesome. I’ve had characters do that in books before. Ah, what a romantic move.”

Easton smiled, but Walker’s brow furrowed. He brushed his hand through his thick hair. She wanted that privilege. Her hands tangled in that hair as she arched up toward him.

How romantic would it feel if Walker had been the one blowing on her fingers? Not just warm air but magic. She’d be lit up and trembling. She trembled simply thinking about it as his blue gaze searched hers. How could she get these brothers to swap places? Easton was such a flirtatious tease. His arm around her and blowing warm air on her fingers meant nothing to him or to her, but with Walker … yummy. Such simple moves could mean the world.

“Romantic, huh? You really liked that.” Easton sounded smug, and was it her imagination or was she pressed closer to his side, his arm tighter around her?

“Oh, for sure. You’re amazing. Let’s go work out now.” She yanked free of Easton’s arms and hurried to grab the barn door. Walker beat her there. He swung the door wide and held it for her. “Thank you kindly,mi vaquero guapo,” she said, completely out of breath simply being close to him. She was going to give her heart the best workout of its life being near this mesmerizing man.

“What does that mean?” he asked.

“My handsome cowboy.” She blushed but boldly held his gaze. She was as brave as one of her characters locking gazes and praying for a chance with a man as impressive as Walker.

“You’re welcome,” he said.

You’re welcome.It was only two standard words. With his deep voice and that alluring look in his blue eyes, she felt like he’d just proposed.

She couldn’t move. She was rooted to the cold earth and never wanted to leave his glorious gaze.

Easton came behind her and ushered her through the door with his hand on her lower back. He tugged her from her moment and her eye contact with his glorious twin. Easton was a great guy, but Marci wanted to shove him out of the barn, tug Walker in, and lock the door. All alone with a man more delectable than any hero she’d created, and that was really saying something because she created the best heroes.

Could the dream of being alone with Walker come true? Not if he had to leave today. What a bummer.

“All right, Miss Marci,” Easton said, interrupting her thoughts and her time with Walker. She really liked Walker’s twin, but he needed to go away and leave them alone. “Let’s get this workout in. What muscle groups are you focused on today?”

“Muscle groups?” she asked, her brow wrinkling.

Easton slid his hand from her lower back and around her waist again. He directed her through the barn, past stalls ofhorses who looked to still be sleeping. The concrete floor was swept clean, but dust floated in the air. She breathed deeply of horse, straw, and a bit of smelly manure.

She wanted to stop and get to know all these horses, but they kept walking. She especially wanted to get up close and personal with Walker’s horse.

Walker trailed behind them. She kept glancing back at him, but the barn interior was dark with only some low lights on.

“Back and bis? Chest, shoulders, and tris? Legs?” Easton asked.

“Um, the only thing that made sense in that tough man lingo was legs. I’ve got two of them.”

“Yes, you do, and they are impressive.”

She laughed with Easton at his silly reply. The man didn’t know how not to flirt.

“Ha!” she said. “You are good. Sadly, I don’t have some weight lifting ritual. I run or bike my island, swim in the ocean, and Google Pilates workouts if it’s bad weather. I’ve never lifted anything heavier than my laptop.”

Walker chuckled at that. She grinned over her shoulder at him.

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