Page 84 of Between a Rock and a Hard Cowboy

Home. He loved hearing that since it meant Eva would be in his bed again tonight. And there when he woke in the morning.

It felt good even though they hadn’t broached the subject of what would happen for the long term after Christmas.

“Shit.” She turned to him. “The puppy. What do I do with Holly?”

He smiled at her complete consternation over one tiny dog. “She can hang with Bingley tonight. They’re sleeping together like they’re old friends.”

She pressed her lips together. “Okay. If that’s all right. I guess we can get her tonight.”

We.That had a nice ring to it. And when Eva kissed him goodbye before she left with Poppy, even if it was just a quick peck on the lips, his hope grew and blossomed into full out anticipation as he pictured himself, Eva and the puppy in the cabin. Together.

And not just for tonight.

ChapterForty-Three

The sun was just about to set as Eva and Poppy stepped into the elevator to meet the Wilder family already gathered downstairs in the lobby of the Wilder Inn.

Although calling it alobbydidn’t do it justice. The big room just inside the front doors of the old stone and wood building was even grander than the mansion, and that was saying something.

Eva had endured primping and polishing at Poppy’s hands for hours. But she had to admit, all the work Poppy had put in showed.

For once Eva didn’t feel like a vagrant next to Poppy dressed in her finest.

Poppy had blown Eva’s short hair pin straight, then used some sort of magic serum that had made it stand up in sassy chunky spikes that suited her personality to a T.

So did the outfit Poppy had chosen for her. Brown tweed wool pants, high at the waist and wide in the leg. A cream-colored silk top with pearl buttons, wide cuffs and the collar popped up. All of that topped off with Poppy’s leather slingback shoes that Eva had managed to shove her feet into, after some adjustments to the buckle on the strap.

She currently wobbled on the two-inch heels she wasn’t used to as she stood in the elevator.

When the doors opened, they made their way the short distance to the seating area in the lobby where she already heard the family’s voices.

She knew the moment Linc saw her. His eyes widened before he smiled.

He strode toward her, planting his hands on her waist as he said, “You look amazing.”

“Um, I see my brother over there. I'm going to see how he's doing,” Poppy said, no doubt feeling awkward as Linc stared into Eva’s eyes like he was about to devour her.

When she was gone, Eva said, “So are you saying Poppy has better clothes than me? Because don’t worry. I agree with you.”

“I’m saying you are absolutely beautiful… Maybe I just noticed because it’s the first time I wasn’t too busy reading the dirty sayings on your shirts.” His elusive dimple appeared along with that comment.

Linc—actually making a joke? He was like a new man. And she liked this one as much as the last.

“Hey, they’re not all dirty sayings. Some of them are political. Then there is my whole snark and sarcasm collection.”

He nodded. “Yes, I’ve noticed. Come on. I have a drink waiting for you.”

“Thanks,” she breathed in relief. He knew her so well. She could definitely love this man.

As they walked toward the group, Eva noticed Olivia had been allowed to come to dinner, but that she currently sat in a wheelchair. “Is Livvie okay?”

“Please,” Linc hissed near her ear, setting the butterflies in her stomach fluttering. “Don’t comment on the chair. It’s been a huge point of contention between them since he pulled up out front and the bell boy rolled it out.”

As if on cue, Olivia blurted. “I’m not sick. I’m pregnant.”

“What does it matter what you sit in? I’d think you’d just be happy to be here,” Wyatt told her from his place behind the chair.

“That must have been a fun arrival,” Eva observed.

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