Page 68 of The Cowboy's Surprise Return

Reluctantly, he allowed her feet to slide back to the ground, but continued to hold her close. “Doing anything tonight?” he asked.

“Does my fake boyfriend have plans for me?”

Ouch. That fake stuff had to go.

“He does. And so do I.”

“And so doyou?” She was still smiling; her guard hadn’t gone up at the hint that he didn’t want to be fake any longer. She looked more curious than anything.

He hesitated, rethinking the wisdom of what he wanted to do. She was leaving town.

Reality.

“Dinner?” he asked, releasing her.

“When?” She pulled her phone from the back pocket of her jeans, checking the time.

“As soon as I finish cleaning this saddle?”

“I can help.”

Before long he was caught up in Jackie’s stories, in the way her eyes brightened when she laughed, the way he felt warmth all the way into his chest whenever their hands brushed.

“Are you even listening?” she scolded when he found himself lost in one of her smiles.

“What?”

“You’re such a poor listener.”

“I was listening to subtext,” he suggested with a grin, knowing he’d missed the past few sentences of her story.

She gripped his chin, holding him still so she could kiss him. “And what did that subtext say?”

“You’re wearing a pink bra today,” he replied, sliding his arms around her waist to give her another kiss.

She groaned. “Is that all you think about?”

“No. Not always.” He kissed her again with a passion that left his head spinning. He reluctantly broke the embrace when someone behind him cleared a throat.

“Is the saddle ready?” asked Betty, the riding manager. She sounded amused rather than impatient.

“Almost. I just have to ask Jackie one more thing.” He lowered his lips to hers once again.

“You need to ask her what she had for lunch?” Betty teased, her tone dry. “Give me the saddle. It’s good enough.”

When Cole turned to glance over his shoulder the older woman was shaking her head.

“It’s done,” Jackie said, sliding from Cole’s arms, blushing endearingly.

And so was he. Done pretending.

* * *

Jackie and Cole headed inside the ranch house through the patio door, the coolness of the rapidly approaching evening making them hustle. Jackie felt happy, alive.

She’d found a place for her father that would give him adequate care without completely breaking the bank. All she had to do was avoid thinking about moving to San Antonio and leaving her own life—and everyone in it—behind.

Cole had been holding her hand, seeming as eager to stay physically connected as she was after two days apart. She’d done her best not to bombard him with text messages while in the city, but he’d been so quick to reply she’d let herself send him her thoughts, strange sightings and whatnot. It was too easy to hope and dream, despite knowing that this was going to end in May, if not sooner.

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