Page 60 of Cowboy Seeks Husband
“This ain’t just any cow.”
“Marlon,” Walker warned, but he knew it’d be no good. Marlon was going to tell the story like Walker hadn’t been there in the first place.
“Hannah’s the first cow you ever brought into this world.”
“Twenty-two years ago. I know, Marlon.”
“You’ve always been real sentimental.”
“All right, grab the blanket and cover her up. We’re wasting time.” He slathered the tube in Vaseline, then murmured softly to Hannah as he began to ease the tube into her nostril.
He knew it was sentimental, but it couldn’t be denied that he could do just about anything to Hannah, and she’d let him. He’d never been able to get rid of her, and he didn’t look forward to the day she didn’t come to him when he called.
“It’s in. I’m going to disinfect the wound.” Walker worked in silence for a while but felt Marlon staring at him and wasn’t surprised when Marlon asked, “How you doing?”
“Fine. If Dr. Collins brings some DMSO, she’ll be all right. She might need some antibiotics though.”
“That’s not what I meant. How you doing with that show?”
“I’ve regretted it a thousand times already.”
Marlon pursed his lips and nodded. “Any of them sweet on you?”
Walker sighed and paused to look at his longtime ranch-hand and friend. Hannah let out a low sound, and Walker ran a soothing hand over her. “They’re all here for the same reason I am. Money.”
“Hmm. You sweet on anyone?”
Walker rolled his eyes and looked down so he could gently rub Hannah’s nose, rucking up the blanket a little so she could see him better. “This competition messes with people’s heads. I’m pretty sure none of them would look at me twice in everyday life.”
“Ah, don’t sell yourself short, boo. Who wouldn’t want you? Heck, you know I’d snap you up if I could.” He made a sad noise. “I can deal with what you got between your legs, but I like breasts.”
“Shut your mouth,” Walker said, laughing. He wanted to slap Marlon upside the head like he’d usually do, but he didn’t want to startle Hannah. He hated that Hannah had been bitten, but he liked the normalcy of this moment, away from the cameras, his life back in his own hands.
Marlon gently stroked her neck. “But seriously, you don’t feel anything for any of them?”
“I know you’re a romantic old fool, friend. But you know that’s not why we’re letting this charade happen here.”
“True, but that don’t mean you can’t meet someone.” Marlon peered up at him meaningfully. “How long has it been since Mike?”
“Don’t,” Walker said. He heard a woman call out, and he looked over his shoulder. “Doc’s here.” Under his breath he added. “And you know exactly how long since Mike because we hired Dennis when he left.”
Marlon smirked at him. “Just reminding you of the years that’ve passed, boo. Long, lonely years with no arms to hold you tight.”
“Who says my years have been lonely? Temporary ranch hands get horny too.”
“Who you talking to here? You expect me to believe the boss man is taking advantage of his temporary help? No, boo. You’ve been holding back a lot of years. You need a man in your life.”
Walker shrugged, pleased to be interrupted by the vet trudging up to them in her jeans and plaid shirt, a look of determination on her face. Marlon might be right. He might need a man in his life, and maybe he had found a guy he wanted to know more about. But there was nothing normal about the circus they were in right now. In a way, he was just going through with the act, hoping to get through to the end and wondering if he might have the chance to really know Roan then.
He knew it was pathetic. But he hoped he did get that chance with Roan.
He truly did.
The rest ofthe third week was torture for Roan. Chad got chosen for another date with just Walker, then everyonebutChad, Roan, and Ben got to go on a special group date too. Which meant Roan hadn’t spent any alone time with Walker at all since they’d talked about that kiss with Chad and then been interrupted by annoying, reaction-producing producers.
The stupid kiss with Chad still rankled a little, especially since Walker hadn’t kissedhimon the mouth yet. But…it was all part of the game, right?
Still, the next horseshoe ceremony was tomorrow night, and he hadn’t spent any real time with Walker to impress upon him just why he shouldn’t leave. Maybe, despite what was said the last time they’d talked, Walker wasn’t really interested in Roan at all, or maybe production had decided to force Roan to go home since he and Walker weren’t following their cues the way they wanted.
