Page 8 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

I laughed out loud. “Regardless of how it came about, I think it’s a beautiful name”—unable to stop myself, I reached out and touched a strand of her hair—“for an equally beautiful girl.”

Her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t look away this time. Instead, her gaze met mine. “You aren’t so bad yourself, Cord.”

“There you are, Juni,” her mother said, walking into the bar just as I dropped my hand. “The night manager is here, so we can head home.”

She jumped down from her stool. “Nice meeting you,” she said.

I stood too. “Maybe I’ll see you around if you work again this weekend.”

“Oh, I don’t work here. Actually, only Grayson does.”

My eyes scrunched, and I looked overat her mother.

“We’re helping out so the family who owns the inn can take a few days off for the holidays,” she explained.

“Nice of you.”

She shrugged. “I’m sure they’d do it for us if the situations were reversed.”

“So, uh, do they serve breakfast?”

Juniper leaned closer. “They do, but Charlie’s Diner is much better, and it’s just down the block.”

“Sounds good, then. Thanks for the recommendation. What time do they open?”

“Around seven, I think,” she responded.

“Perfect.”

“Are you an early riser, Cord?” her mother asked.

“I’m a rancher, ma’am. Seven will be sleepin’ in for me.”

“I’m sorry to inform you that you won’t find anything open earlier than that in the village.”

“I’m good. Might as well take advantage of a couple more days off if I can.”

Patricia handed her daughter her jacket, but before I could offer to help her with it, she had it on.

“Can I walk you out?” I asked instead.

Juniper nodded. “We’re this way. Thanks.”

I opened the passenger door for her mom once we stepped up to the only car in the back lot. When I glanced over and saw Juni’s door still closed, I went around to open it for her.

“I can get it. I was just wondering if maybe you’d like to meet at Charlie’s tomorrow. I can show you around or tell you more about the village.”

“Seven too early for you?”

She grinned, and her cheeks flushed.

“Damn, you’re pretty,” I said under my breath.

“You’re very kind.”

I shook my head. “Actually, I’m not. I am honest, though. Would eight be better?”

“You wouldn’t mind waiting?”

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