Page 13 of Stranded with a Bossy Rancher

I nod with my head against his chest. “Can we get out of here?”

He nods. “Yeah, come on. You feel up to a walk?”

I shrug. At this point, I won’t tell him no for anything. “Yeah, sure.”

I lean back and turn to face the sidewalk. “Where do you want to walk to?”

He grabs on to my hand and holds it between us as he starts to walk toward Main Street. “Let’s go eat. I skipped lunch. What about you? You hungry?”

At that exact moment, my stomach growls, and we both laugh. We get to the center of town in minutes, and he seems to calm down the farther we get from the Feed Haven. “Thank you, Elliott. No one has ever stood up for me like that.”

He lifts his shoulders. “Well, get used to it because I’ll always stand up for you.”

Before I can ask him what he means, he’s pulling me toward the Italian restaurant that just opened a few weeks ago. As soon as we get inside and I see all the people staring back at us, I pull my hand from his.

I get a glimpse of Elliott from my peripheral vision, and it’s obvious he’s not happy with me pulling away, but I’m sure once I explain, he’ll understand.

The hostess takes us to a booth and leaves us with menus. Elliott is even quieter than usual, and I know I owe him an apology. He’s been so good to me, and I should at least give him an explanation. “I’m sorry, Elliott.”

He shakes his head, his eyes still on the menu. “It’s fine.”

I lean in to talk to him. “I pulled away because I’m pretty much hated by the whole community. You’re risking your reputation by hiring me. You probably shouldn’t even be seen with me.”

Finally his eyes meet mine. “Is that what you’re worried about? My reputation?”

I nod my head because I can’t say the words.

“If you don’t want to hold my hand, you can tell me that, Camille.”

I hold my breath for all of two seconds. I’m so tired of trying to do the right thing. “Well, I do want to hold your hand, but all I’m saying is that if we do, maybe we should do it when we’re alone, that’s all.”

He frowns, and so do I. I wish I’d met him before I met Raymond. But just as quickly as I think it, I take it back. If I hadn’t met Raymond, I wouldn’t be pregnant right now, and I already love this baby more than anything.

I can feel eyes on us, and I scoot out of the end of the booth to stand up. “I’m going to the ladies’ room. I’ll be right back.”

He stands up with me, grabs both of my hands, kisses me in the middle of the restaurant, and then whispers in my ear, “You don’t get it now, but you will. I love having you on my arm, Camille Trotter.”

With an arm tucked around my shoulder, he starts to walk with me toward the back of the restaurant. I can feel every set of eyes on us, and I hiss-whisper to Elliott, “People are going to think we’re doing something.”

He laughs. “We are doing something. I’m walking you to the bathroom.”

“But….” I start and then stop because I know it’s a waste of time. I’m finally realizing that Elliott does whatever he wants, when he wants.

He kisses me and then turns me to the door that saysWomen. With a pat on my ass, he says, “I’ll be right here.”

It’s crazy that he’s waiting for me outside of the women’s restroom, but I’m not going to argue with him. As soon as I’mdone, I meet him at the door, and he holds my hand the whole way back to the table. We order our food and talk as we wait.

When his phone rings, he looks at it. “I’m sorry. It’s my sister. Mind if I answer it?”

The fact he asks me takes me by surprise, but I nod my head quickly. “Of course.”

I can only hear his side of the conversation, and even though it’s not full sentences, I get the gist of what it’s about.

“Well, that was quick.”

“I’m sure.”

“Thanks, sis. I always appreciate having you on my side.”

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