Page 52 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

“Any time,” she whispered back.

I orderedthe same burger I had my first night in town, and it was good, just not quite as much as I’d remembered. On the other hand, Juni hadn’t made this one. Maybe that was the difference.

When we finished eating, Gray offered to give Beau and Sam a lift to the Lilacs so I could take Juniper home. There wasn’t a person at the table who didn’t pick up on how little sense that made. Why wouldn’t she just ride home with him?

“If she doesn’t mind, there are a few things I’d like to talk to Juni about,” said Sam. “We could do it tomorrow if that would be better.”

“Now’s good,” she responded.

“I can give you a lift later unless you want to swing by and pick up your car,” I offered.

“Juni doesn’t like driving in the snow at night,” Gray said, perhaps a little too quickly.

“Grayson, your matchmaker is showing,” Beau teased.

We all laughed, but I wouldn’t complain. Like she’d said, the more time we could spend together, the happier we’d both be.

That should’ve sent me into panic mode, but it didn’t. Maybe instead of overthinking being with her, I should let things progress naturally.

When we arrivedat the main house, I was about to get out and open Juniper’s door for her when I heard Sam say she was sorry, but she was more tired than she thought and hoped Juni wouldn’t mind if they got together tomorrow instead.

I shook my head and smiled. “Thanks, Sam.”

She reached over the seat and rubbed my shoulder. “What are cousins for, Cord?”

“You’re my first, so I have no idea.”

“Mine too.”

“Maybe, someday, you can meet the rest of us.”

She nodded. “I’d really like that.”

It reminded me how much I wanted to go home, even if it wasn’t for more than a day, but also that it wasn’t worth the risk.

“What’s on your mind?” Juniper asked after I drove the rest of the way to the cottage. When I took her home later, I’d park the SUV at the house and walk down.

“Nothing much,” I said, unlocking the door and turningon the lights.

She stood with her arms folded, not that her expression appeared angry.

“Feelin’ sorry for myself.”

Juni led me over to the sofa and pushed me so I sat down. Then she moved my arm out of her way and sat on my lap.

“Not feeling sorry for myself now,” I said, winking.

“That was the idea.”

We kissed for a while, then I moved her from my lap and stood to get the fire started. When I returned, I held out my hand, and she stood too.

“Dance with me?” I asked, pulling her away from the sofa.

Her cheeks flushed. “There’s no music.”

“That’s easily remedied.” I walked over to the wireless speaker, switched it on, then queued up a song on my phone. I’d heard it for the first time a couple of days ago, and when I did, all I could think was how much it made me want to dance with the woman now in my arms. The chorus repeated several times while we swayed to the music.

“Excuse me. You look like you love me. You look like you want me,” I sang as I nuzzled her hair. “God, you smell good, girl.”

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