Page 22 of Open Arms

To my surprise and delight, Chloe let out a small laugh. “Only every day,” she quipped back, her voice gaining a bit more confidence.

“Every day? Well, shoot. If I’d known that, I might’ve scheduled more meetings here,” I teased, feeling a warmth spread through me at her smile.

Chloe’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Is that so? And here I thought you were just here for the cucumber water.”

I knew it.

I chuckled, impressed by her quick wit. “Nah, that’s just a bonus. Though I gotta say, it does make a man feel fancy.”

As we bantered, I couldn’t help but notice how the sunlight streaming under the covered porch caught the gold in Chloe’s hair. She looked . . . radiant. I found myself wanting to keep her talking, to see that shy smile bloom into something more.

I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms casually. “So, how’re you likin’ Whittier Falls so far? Found any hidden gems yet?”

Her eyes lit up. “Actually, yes. There’s this little bookstore downtown?—“

“Ah, Rosie’s place,” I nodded, grinning. “Best collection of westerns this side of the Mississippi.”

“And poetry,” Chloe added, surprising me. “She has a whole section of contemporary poets I’ve never even heard of.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Poetry, huh? Didn’t peg you for the type.”

She shrugged, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Mason Bridges.”

My heart did a little flip at that. Lord, this woman was something else.

Before I could respond, a familiar drawl cut through the air. “Well, well, what do we have here?”

I turned to see Walker sauntering towards us, his trademark cocky grin firmly in place. He tipped his hat to Chloe, blue eyes twinkling.

“Howdy, ma’am. Walker Anderson, at your service,” he introduced himself, extending a hand. “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure.”

Chloe hesitated for a moment before shaking his hand. “Chloe Beecham,” she said softly. “Nice to meet you.”

Walker’s grin widened. “The pleasure’s all mine, darlin’. Any friend of ol’ Mase here is a friend of mine.”

I rolled my eyes at his antics, but couldn’t help noticing how Chloe seemed to shrink a bit in Walker’s presence, putting up a wall like she had with me in the beginning. Protective instincts I didn’t even know I had started to stir.

I felt a sudden, irrational stab of jealousy watching Walker charm Chloe. It was stupid, I knew that. Walker had always been a flirt, but he was head over heels for Caroline now. Still, something in my gut twisted as I watched him lay on that easy charm.

“So, Chloe,” Walker drawled, “what brings a pretty thing like you to our little slice of heaven?”

I expected Chloe to retreat further into her shell, but to my surprise, she straightened her shoulders and met Walker’s gaze. “I threw a dart at a map and it landed on Whittier Falls.”

“Ha!” Walker practically slapped his knee at that joke, and Chloe looked pleased with herself. I had to admit, I was pleased with her too.

But I caught Walker noticing that. He gave me a look. One that told me he knew just how I felt about this woman.

“Looks like we’ll all be seeing more of each other,” he said, smooth as silk.

Chloe nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I look forward to it.”

I couldn’t help but stare at her, fascinated by this glimpse of confidence. She was opening up, becoming more at ease with each passing moment. It was like watching a flower unfurl in the sun, and I was mesmerized.

“Earth to Mason,” Walker’s voice broke through my reverie. “You still with us, buddy?”

I blinked, realizing I’d been caught staring. “Yeah, just . . . thinking about the trail rides,” I lied smoothly.

But as the conversation continued, I found my attention drifting back to Chloe again and again. The way she laughed at Walker’s jokes, how she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the little crinkle that appeared between her brows when she was thinking.

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