Page 98 of Beat around the Bush
“So I was in youroffice…” I started.
He glanced at me, raising an eyebrow before continuing on his work. “You have fun?” he joked.
I frowned before pulling my resume out of the back pocket of my jeans. “Found this.”
He straightened, heaving a breath as he eyed what was in my hand. “What’s that?”
“Lost in my eyes?” I teased with a small smile.
Realization dawned on him and he took his hat off, running a gloved hand through his hair before plopping it back on with the bill still backwards.
“Yeah, uh…” He seemed to be at a loss for words.
“You’ve liked me since my interview?” I asked.
He leaned over slightly, bracing his hands on the side of the bed to peer down at me. “I’ve liked you since you hit my truck.”
“But you didn’t know me,” I pointed out.
He shrugged, pressing his lips together. “No, but I heard your voice, and something about you just drew me in from the beginning.”
My cheeks flushed again, a blush blooming against my freckles. “I really thought you hated me.”
“I could never hate you, Oak. Even if you wrecked my ol’ K15.”
My brows lowered. “I didnotwreck it.”
“Sorry, you’re right. You wreckedyourcar.”
I frowned right as he bent to press a quick kiss to my lips.
“I think you were made for me,” he said, a big grin spread across his mouth.
I set my hands on my hips, the paper pinched in between my fingers. “Oh, really?”
He stood straight so that I had to angle my head back further. “Yeah. And I was made for you.”
And then he went back to stacking the bales, and I knew in my heart he was right.
As much as I hated the circumstances that brought me to Bell Buckle, I loved the life I’d built here in such a short time.
The beginning of a life with Lennon Bronson.
37
Oakley
“I’m still surprised you were able to lock Lennon down,” Jacey said as she filled the dog treat container on the counter by the register.
“Honestly, me too,” I replied as I faced the shelf closest to the front of the store. “I really thought he hated me for hitting his truck.”
She closed up the box of dog treats, stowing the spares under the register. “He comes off as a grump sometimes, but he never means any harm by it. I think Reed rubs off on him sometimes.”
I laughed at that. “Out of all of the Bronsons, Reed tops the grump scale for sure. Speaking of the Bronsons, I’m hanging out with Lettie and Brandy tonight at Lettie’s place if you want to come?”
“That’d be fun. Thank you.”
The bell above the door tinkled and I turned to greet the customer, but as soon as I saw who it was, the words tumbled out of my mouth.
