Page 11 of My Cowboy Date
“If you’re looking for my brother, he’s rounding up a missing stray. Marshall tried to get it but wasn’t able to,” River says.
“Wilder’s the best at roping,” Courtney says.
“He’s not better than I am.” River frowns and adjusts his Stetson.
I’m surprised at how irritated he sounds. That’s not like him.
A phone alarm buzzes and Courtney sighs as she looks at her phone to dismiss it. “I have to get back to work. I stopped by to check on River’s cock.” She sends him a teasing glance, then looks at the rooster staring up at them beside the barn door. “He’s been sick, and I hope he’s better.”
“My cock is always fine,” River says.
“I wouldn’t know.” Courtney winks at him.
River jerks his chin toward the driveway. “Go. You know how your boss is.”
Courtney makes a face. “She’s a bear, that’s for sure. Alright, alright, I’m leaving. Tell your folks I said hey and thank your dad for the muffins your mama pretended to make.”
They don’t have to explain that one to me. I’ve been here long enough to know that cooking is not what Frances excels at. I smile at that. She’s an amazing woman who’s taken me under her wing and has become a mother figure to me. She has a penchant like I do for loving older music on vinyl records.
I glance over as Courtney’s leaving and notice River never takes his eyes off her.Ah…so it’s like that.
When he catches my gaze, he says, “Wilder won’t be back until late and he left his phone at the house. If you need to talk to him, I’ll lead you where he and Marshall are.”
We saddle up and as I swing onto the horse, River says, “There’s nothing between me and Courtney. We’ve been friends since I came to the ranch.”
“She seems sweet.”
“She is, but she’s a little bit crazy too.” He smiles as he says that.
“And you’re crazy about her.”
He changes the subject, then points off into the distance to our right. “There’s Marshall. Wilder’s gotta be somewhere close. If you’re good, I’m gonna head on back now and finish what I was working on.”
“I’m good,” I tell him.
I’m only waiting a few minutes until Wilder rides into view, his horse galloping after a cow. I can’t take my eyes off him. Off the way he’s swinging the rope over his head, the way he’s leaning forward in the saddle with that muscled body, that handsome face…
Physically, he’s perfect. And he’s got a beautiful heart to match because he’s a good man.
My own heart stirs. Heisa good man. The best one I’ve ever known. I count the time when we’re apart because I’m so eager to see him, to talk to him, to laugh with him. My chest squeezes and I’m stunned as my emotions unfold and lay a truth before me. When did I fall for Wilder?
Wilder
I pull back on the rope to bring the runaway cow to a stop and then swing from the horse. “I know you’re worked up, but everything’s okay,” I speak softly to the frightened animal.
“I’ll lead it back. You’ve got company,” Marshall says.
I turn toward Aspen.
She guides her horse closer, and I think about how natural she looks on the horse now versus when she first agreed to my mother’s insistence that she move to the ranch.
Marshall says something to her as he passes and Aspen smiles. Jealousy curls in the pit of my stomach. I only want her to smile at me, not some other man. Then I shake my head at myself. What the hell am I thinking? It’s not like she’s mine. Technically. Because she sure as hell feels like mine after I tasted her.
“So, I had trouble sleeping last night,” she says as soon as she dismounts. The horse bumps her shoulder, and she takes a step forward.
I stroke its nose softly. “Easy there. Why did you have trouble sleeping?”
“I kept thinking about your mouth on me.”
