Page 86 of Cowboy Seeks Husband
Molly groaned. “That isn’t what we talked about, Mike. You’re really going off script here. We’re going to have to reshoot, and Walker’s terrible at that, so can you try to focus?”
Walker winced. “This whole thing has been a mistake.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Goddammit.”
“It didn’t look like you felt that way five minutes ago.”
Walker snorted.
“But everything’s okay now. Take a breath.” Mike tapped the roof of the truck. “I’m here as a contestant, honey. All you have to do is keep me to the end, and you’re free of all the conniving, money-hungry shits.”
Walker’s head snapped up, and he stared at Mike in disbelief. “What are you saying?”
“Suzanna’s taking over my practice for the next few weeks. I might have to go in a couple of times if there’s something she can’t deal with by herself, but other than that.” Mike spread his arms. His checkered shirt stretched over his broad chest, and Walker knew exactly what he looked like underneath. “I’m all yours.”
“What’s the matter,baby? You’ve been walking around with a thundercloud for a face all morning.” Tessa massaged his shoulders as he slumped back in his kitchen chair. The coffee in front of him danced with tantalizing wisps of fragrant smoke, and Dad slid the sugar in his direction.
“Just what you need,” he said with a wink. “A little something to sweeten you up.”
“You’re not allowed any sugar,” Walker said, scowling.
“We’re not talking about me, are we? We’re talking about your sour face.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What are you up to today?”
Dad looked innocent as he stirred his coffee, adding a good dollop of full fat milk. Walker glanced at Tessa, but she gave him an apologetic smile. She never could deny his dad anything. “I thought I’d go take a look at the south pasture. It’s been a while since I got on a horse.”
“Because you’re not supposed to,” Walker said, sitting up straighter. “When’s the last time you checked your sugar since you got back from the hospital? Actually, when’s the last time you took your insulin?”
It was rare for his dad to get mad, and when he did he never shouted, never banged the table. Even when Walker had been a kid, all he’d had to see to start behaving was his father’s stern look. That look was there again, and Walker tried not to feel ten years old. He knew he was in the right.
“I feel fine,” Dad said. “Better than I have in a long time, boy. And it’ll be the day when you tell me whether or not I can ride my own horses to check on my own ranch.”
Walker ground his teeth together. There was nothing he could say to change his mind, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to remind his father that the ranch wasn’t his anymore. The man deserved some dignity. “At least take Marlon or Dennis with you.”
“I’ll go with him,” Tessa said. “It’s been a while since I was on a horse too.” Walker wasn’t happy about that either; just his luck they’d both fall off and break a hip, but he nodded once. Tessa touched his arm. “Now, tell us what’s got you in a funk this morning.”
“Mike showed up on set,” he said, and Tessa gasped. “The producers dragged him into this in order to, I don’t know, to produce this kind of response in me, I guess.” He dragged his hands through his hair in agitation. “I knew there was a reason why I had to send three people home at the very beginning, and I figured they’d spring someone new on me, but Mike? Goddammit.”
“Language,” Tessa said.
“Sorry, Tess.”
“I can’t believe he agreed to it,” Dad said, shaking his head with a frown. “You think he’s trying to get back with you?”
Walker made a face and lifted his mug. “I doubt it. He says he’s here to offer me an out. I can keep him until the end, send everyone else home, make people think I got my happy ever after, and be done with this.” He sipped his coffee, avoiding Tessa’s eyes.
“What about Roan?” she asked.
“Is he that skinny kid she saw you with?” Dad asked. “I thought I told you to pick someone with some—” He made a gesture indicating size. Tessa smacked the back of his head. “Hey! I was gonna say who can work hard.”
Walker snorted. “Yeah, right.” He sighed and put his mug down, leaning back in his chair as he ran his hands over his face. “He’s great. But something doesn’t feel right.”
“What do you mean?” Tessa reached across the table and refilled his mug.
“Thanks, Tess. I don’t know. I don’t think Roan actually wants to be here.”
“Why?” Dad reached for the sugary jam, and Walker pushed it out of the way, giving him the sugar-free one instead. “What makes you say that?”
“He’s never tried to convince me he’s always wanted to live on a farm, like everyone else has been doing. Seriously, if I hear one more time from one of these men how farm life seems so romantic, I’m going to throw something.”
