Priscilla blinked tears back as she stared up at him. “I promise that too.”
“Good.” He kissed her lips then pulled out a chair and after she resumed her seat, he sat down. She pushed the laptop at him and watched as his eyes moved over the article. After a few minutes, he looked up and frowned at her.
“You don’t like it,” she muttered with a sigh of disappointment.
“No, I don’t, darlin’… I love it.”
She squealed, jumped up then sat on his lap and kissed him. “Really?”
“Yes, ma’am. It’s good. Really good. I can’t wait to see it in the magazine. You’re going to send me a copy, right?”
“I’m going to send one to all of you. Lucy asked me about that and gave me everyone’s address when I told her yes. I hope everyone likes it.”
“They’ll love it as much as I do. Now, how about we go spend the rest of the day in bed?” He cradled her in his arms as he stood up then tossed her over his shoulder, pulling a laughing squeal from her.
“But I’m not sleepy,” she said chuckling.
“Oh, neither am I, darlin’, neither am I.” He strode down the hall and kicked the door to his bedroom closed behind them.
****
Priscilla sat on the front porch and stared at the mountains.Damn that Earl Sanders.She’d called to ask about staying another week for Lucy and Reid’s wedding, and he’d flat out said no. If she didn’t want so much to tell him to shove it in person, she’djust up and quit now but she wanted her article printed. She’d worked hard for it. Her cell phone rang and she picked it up to see her mother’s smiling face on the screen.
“Hi, Mom,” she said in a way of answering.
“Cilla? What’s wrong?” her mother asked her. Her mom knew her all too well.
“I called Earl to ask if I could stay here another week for a wedding, and he said no.”
“Stay where, honey? You didn’t tell me you were on assignment and whose wedding?”
“I’m in Spring City, Montana doing an assignment piece on Roark Callahan—”
“Outlaw Callahan? Are you serious?”
“You know him?”
“Oh, Cilla. When I dated that cowboy last year, he took me to a bull-riding event and I saw Roark Callahan compete. When they flashed his face on the Jumbotron, I wished I was twenty years younger.”
Priscilla laughed. “You are too funny, Mom.”
Her mother laughed with her. “You’re very lucky, Cilla. That is one good-looking man.”
“Yes, he is and he’s also a wonderful man. I have so much to tell you when I get home.”
“I can’t wait, but whose wedding?”
“Lucy Albright and Reid Callahan’s, they’re family to Roark. Lucy invited me and Earl won’t let me stay.”
“Do I need to call him?”
“No, Mom. Please don’t. I’ll just go home and hand the article in as promised. I want to see it in print or I’d tell him to kiss my ass.”
“That’s my girl,” her mother said laughing. “I just wanted to check in on you. I’ll see you when you gethome then. I love you.”
“I love you too.” Priscilla hitEndon her phone and stuck it in her pocket. The thought of leaving Roark made her heart ache but she knew she’d be back to the man she loved soon enough.
Monday morning, Priscilla stood at the window in the living room and stared out, not really seeing the beautiful view. She hated leaving but she knew she’d be back in two weeks. She’d survive two weeks until she could come back. She hoped.