Page 88 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

Armed with paint swatches, I navigate the halls to my aunt’s room, where she’s just returned from her physio.

“Oh, perfect timing, Riley! Have you met Gary? He’s my physiotherapist and absolutely charming.”

In another world, I may have flirted with the buff young man. He’s attractive, and I don’t miss his lingering perusal.

“Hi. Nice to meet you. I hope she’s not too much of a pain in the ass for you.”

“Riley Maxwell Benton! If I were stronger, I’d paddle your ass for that!” She says it with a laugh, but I know for a fact she means it.

“I’d do it for her,” Gary murmurs low for only me to hear.

“My boyfriend probably wouldn’t go for that.”

Gary nods with a grimace. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“What are you two whispering about?”

“I was just telling Gary you’re excited about the renovations and if there were any colours to set your rehab back.”

Gary tips his head in appreciation of the subject change.

“She really likes the mustard yellow walls in our treatment wing.”

“Oh, barf.” My aunt gags as Gary laughs.

“I’ll leave you two for your visit and I’ll see you again tomorrow, Agnes. Tap dancing is the next activity.”

Aunt Agnes snorts with a smile as Gary leaves.

“If you hadn’t met Jackson, I’d have told you to go out with Gary. He’s a nice boy.”

“He is.” Pulling a chair next to her at the tiny table in her room, I drop the pile of paint swatches on the surface. “As long as he’s good to you right now, that’s all that matters.”

“Jackson comes home today, right?”

“Yep. In about three hours. He has to unload his horse and help Hunter with something, then I’m making him dinner.”

My aunt forms a pile of hard nos for colours and pushes them aside.

“Is that what you’re calling it? Dinner?”

“Itisdinner! And I’m not discussing sex with you,” I snap.

She makes another pile of maybes and reaches for a pen to number and label the colours she likes for each room.

“That’s fine. I think you’re beyond the safe sex talk and all that stuff, anyway. You know I just tease you. If it’s making youuncomfortable, say something.” Aunt Agnes sniffs and avoids eye contact.

Shit. I didn’t mean to be so rude and now I’ve hurt her feelings.

“I’m sorry, Auntie. I didn’t mean to be rude. I just…” Glancing towards the door, I lower my voice. “Jackson is very private about that stuff, and I think he’d be uncomfortable if he knew we talked about it.”

“That’s okay, Riley. I’d never want to cross a line. We’ve always joked, so I just did what was natural, but I can dial it back.”

“It’s just…he’s so sweet, Auntie.” I take the hideous baby-shit-coloured swatch from her hand and shake my head as I drop it into the trash can. “Jackson is everything I didn’t know I was looking for. He caught me off guard. I thought we could just be friends, but he’s so…”

I don’t even know how to describe Jackson properly to my aunt because there really are no words.

“You really love him, don’t you?”

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