Page 23 of More Than a Blind Date

“I don’t see that happening, Anderson. I’m content being single. But she needs?—”

“You. You’re exactly what she needs, and it’s cool that you’re helping her.”

I stop and stare at the phone. “It’s crazy how all this happened.”

“Almost as weird as sitting on a cactus.” He chuckles. “I’ll see you Friday evening. And Rose. Prim is very excited to meet her.”

“Have a good one.” I end the call and go back to checking fences.

Rose is alreadyat my place when I get home. And it’d be a lie if I said I didn’t like being greeted with a smile when I walk in the door. Today, she adds a hug to that smile.

“I’m gross. You don’t want to hug me right now.”

Grinning, she rests a hand on my chest. “You smell like you’ve been working hard. But you don’t smell bad.”

“Now you are just lying to me. Let me grab a quick shower. Then we can go grab dinner.” I brush a hair out of her face. “Did you decide to stay tonight?”

“If you really don’t mind, I’d like that.”

“Perfect. I called Colt earlier and let him know I’d be crashing there.” I bend and give Floofy a scratch before going to take a shower.

While I get cleaned up, I try to remember all the questions I thought about, things I need to know if we’re going to pull this off. It’s good that we get to practice around my friends.

When I walk down the hall, buttoning my dress shirt, Rose leans against the wall and grins. “I really appreciate everything you are doing for me.”

“Sure. It’s not a problem. I’ve been thinking of questions we need to tackle. But first, where do you want to eat? In Stadtburg, that way, there is a fantastic barbecue place. And in the opposite direction in Keyhole, there is a new diner that has good food.”

“Let’s go to Keyhole.”

I like that she makes decisions and doesn’t answer every question with “whatever you want.”

After I grab my hat, she reaches for my hand. “What’s the first question?”

“How did we meet? I feel like that’s a question people will ask.” I’m not sure how to answer that one.

“Smart. Yeah. So when I first saw you, I was majorly attracted and then dropped something in hopes of getting your attention, and it worked. It’s been a whirlwind ever since.”

I open the passenger door for her to get in. “Don’t lay it on too thick. People will know you’re making it up. Because I’m not the kind of guy women feel instantly attracted to.”

She buckles her seat belt and bites her lower lip. And she’s quiet until I start the engine. “Maybe not some women, but when you crossed the parking lot on your way into the restaurant, I noticed. I’m not making that part up. I didn’t drop the ring on purpose, but if I’d known how it would end up, I might’ve.”

This little burst of honesty has me discombobulated. “But I’m short and not all that good-looking.”

She runs a hand down my arm. “I think you’re good-looking.”

Her directness stuns me, enough that I don’t even argue.

But I do change the subject. “Another question we haven’t covered. When are we planning to get married? I’m not asking that question. I’m suggesting we need to be prepared for that question.”

She pulls her hand away and crosses her arms. “We’ll just say we haven’t set a date yet.”

“That works.”

I hope I haven’t hurt her with my reaction, but I’m like someone who’s spent a long time in a dark place and is just stepping into the light. It’s an adjustment. She’s definitely the sunshine in this analogy.

At the diner, the waitress points to a table in the corner. Rose slides onto the bench, but before I can slide in across from her, she shakes her head and taps the seat beside her.

“Sit by me. It’ll be easier to talk.”

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