Page 57 of A Baby for the Texas Cowboy
“I heard.”
She winced a little and then realized that he didn’t sound judgmental and there was no censure on his face.
“Would you mind if I steal your host for a few minutes, ladies?” he asked, all sweetness and light.
“Take your time.” A couple of the women waved him on as if they were in charge.
“Anders, I’m in the middle of a tasting,” she said, keeping her voice low and her face serene.
Someday that Oscar will be mine.
“Two minutes,” he said appealingly, and she could feel her resistance untether.
“That’s all you got?” Minna demanded. “I’m deeply disappointed, Anders Wolf.”
“Well, he is a bull rider, Minna. Maybe he’s speedy at everything,” another woman chimed in.
Anders turned bright red, and Tinsley laughed.
“I’ll show you the patio,” she said, tucking Catalina’s pinot against her body and taking his arm. “And perhaps rescue your reputation.”
“You’re supposed to be in Tulsa. You’re usually scheduled to show up at different sponsor events on Thursdays,” she said. “You’re cutting it crazy close, Anders.”
“You didn’t think I’d leave without saying goodbye to my girl.” He handed her the flowers and lightly kissed her cheek. Then he rolled back the door to the outside and did a double take.
“Seriously, you and Catalina did this?”
“There were a lot of minions.” Tinsley surveyed the patio with pride.
“I missed you,” he said.
“You did? But you left.”
And he was leaving again.
“I was pushing you too hard,” he said. “I don’t want be a jerk, Tinz, one of those guys who always has to get their way. I’m not like that. I just…this is all new to me, and I’m trying too hard, but keep effing up—” He broke off as she pressed her finger to his lips.
“I was a bitch,” she said. “I hate that I was mean. I don’t want to be like that either.” She searched his eyes and gave him more. “My mom was like that. Cold. Critical. I don’t want to ever be like that.”
They stared at each other. His eyes were so blue, and the way the late morning sun slanted across the patio threw the hollows under his cheekbones into stark relief. She tangled her fingers with his before she realized she was doing it.
“Baby, I’m sorry,” he said, bringing their joined hands up to his mouth and kissing her knuckles.
“I’m sorry too,” she said quickly and tried to pull her hand away, a bit embarrassed by her spontaneous show of affection.
They weren’t a couple.
But man oh man, he was beautiful, and when he wasn’t bossing her and when he was looking at her as if she could fly, she almost felt like anything was possible.
“I wish I hadn’t left.” He murmured the words and brushed his lips back and forth along her ear. Her breath caught, and she shivered even though it was in the mid-seventies. “I wasted a day I could have spent with you.”
“Why did you?” she asked, wondering if he’d give her the truth.
“I needed to get my head on straight,” he said. “I’ve been discussing some investment and business opportunities with Kane Wilder.”
Tinsley felt like she’d swallowed a block of ice.
“Why?” she whispered.
