Page 5 of The Roper & the Author

“Marci.” He said her name softly, but she heard it and felt it through her body.

She hurried toward him, intent on getting to know her cowboy better. She’d initially protested Aiden’s men taking her away from Florida as Autumn took her place to rescue her Abuelita, but Aiden knew what he was doing bringing her here. Everyone assured her Autumn could handle any ‘bad guy’ and now Marci had met Walker Coleville. Talk about heaven blessing her through a grueling trial. Abuelita would be hollering at her to pursue Walker and not worry about her.

Abuelita always bemoaned the thought of Marci being alone after she ‘croaked’. Her words, not Marci’s.

Marci offered another quick, heartfelt prayer.

Please, Father above, don’t let Abuelita croak at the hands of those monsters.

“There you are.” Easton stepped into her path. She hadn’t even noticed him in the room. She stuttered to a stop but still ran into him, her hands landing on his bulging chest muscles. “Ah now, sweetheart, that is fire.” He wrapped his hands around hers and held them against his chest.

Fire? Not with Easton. With Walker, she could imagine fire would be understated if she touched his chest.

“Forgive me.” Marci backed up and tugged her hands free.

“Nothing to forgive,” Easton said, all smooth and charming.

She was certain ladies the world over chased this cowboy, but she wasn’t interested in anyone but his brother. She looked around for Walker, but he was in the kitchen next to his mama, his back to her. She wasn’t certain why he’d turned away from her, but … sheesh! Every moment and look with Walker was zing! He had a mouthwatering-looking back—wide shoulders, strong muscles outlined by a soft T-shirt, and jeans that fit well. Too well. She blushed and looked away. She didn’t have a lot of experience around real men. It was quite different than describing a fictional character.

“I need to help Mama,” she managed to say to Easton, darting around him and running around the kitchen island. In her rush, she tripped over her own feet and literally plowed into Walker’s back. He turned in surprise and caught her, his large hands wrapping around her waist.

She went from flailing and awkward to grounded and lit up in an instant. Marci was almost a foot shorter than him, her eyes lining up with his neck. She lifted her eyes to meet his brilliant blue gaze, savoring his warm palms dwarfing her waist. She felt feminine, alluring, and safe.

“You all right?” he asked in that slow cowboy drawl. His warm, husky voice and the intense look in his eyes lit the fire inside of her Easton had mentioned.

“Sorry,” she managed. “Nobody ever accused me of being coordinated.”

He chuckled at that. “I can hold you up anytime you need.”

“Chacho. I need you in my next novel,” she said breathlessly.

His eyes widened slightly but filled with a warmth that made the world spin. Good thing he was holding her up. She leaned into him. He was as solid and magnificent as the mountains surrounding his home.

“You’re going to write about handsome twin brothers in your next novel?” Easton asked from her elbow.

She smiled at Easton. She’d wondered if they were twins. It made sense. Though not identical, they fit. Easton was the alpha and Walker was the sigma, which in her research was much better.

Walker released his hold on her and stepped back. Disappointment swirled through her.

“Handsomecowboytwin brothers,” she emphasized. “Dos vaqueros guapos.”

“I like it. Of course I’ll be the one the breathtakingly gorgeous romance author falls in love with,” Easton said, winking at her and folding his well-built arms across his chest.

“I don’t suppose you’ve read my work yet, but my books are heavy on the suspense angle. My character is just as likely to fall in love with you as shoot you. Only time will tell.” She blinked innocently and raised her hands, palms up.

Walker chuckled at that. Easton’s eyebrows rose, then he laughed too. “Sassy. That is Gucci.”

Abuelita was sassy, not Marci. She was only sassy on paper. What did the brand Gucci have to do with anything? He’d said that twice and it did not fit in with this homey mountain ranch. She loved the comfort and warmth here. She already felt like part of the family, something she’d longed for.

“Don’t go killing one of my boys,” Mama tsked at her.

“I was teasing,” she hurried to say. “No one could possibly injure these tough guys.”

Walker smiled at her.

“What can I do to help?” she asked breathlessly, focused on Walker not his mother.

“Now, you’re a guest and have been through something traumatic. You just sit on down and let us serve you.”

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