Page 19 of Wannabe in Wyoming
“Well, they called to say someone they know in the alpaca community passed away last week. It’s a small operation, but no one in the man’s family wants to take it over, so they’re looking to sell it! And the Brodericks immediately thought of me! Me!” Nathan suppressed a laugh at how animated she was with her hands as she spoke. The more excited she got, the more they flew around his computer screen. A buddy’s wife was Italian, and it was a big joke among their friends that the woman couldn’t think of a thing to say if they made her sit on her hands while she tried to talk.
“There’s one male alpaca and eighteen females. The sale would also include all the equipment and some feed and other stuff. And the ranch’s longtime foreman is willing to relocate to continue looking after the herd. According to Gail, the asking price is very reasonable and the foreman is a really nice guy. She’s met him several times, and he does a great job with the animals. None of the farm owner’s family lives locally anymore, except one nephew who’s the executor of the will. He has no interest in the farm, so he just wants to get rid of everything as soon as possible.”
“That’s awesome, Willow. What do you have to do next?”
“Well, I have to go meet with the man’s nephew. Since you’re coming next Saturday, I was hoping you’d take a ride with me to check out the farm—maybe on Monday? It’s only about an hour and a half from here. I mean, I can schedule it for after—”
“I’d love to go,” he interrupted. “I don’t know a damn thing about alpaca farming, but I can do some research before then, so I know what everyone is talking about.”
“That would be great, but you don’t have to do that. Trust me. I’ve been doing research all day, even though I did a lot before and after visiting the Brodericks. I’ve bookmarked so many websites, it’s ridiculous. Gail also said, if I do buy the operation, I can call them anytime I need help or if I have questions. They’ll also introduce me to people in the alpaca farming community. Apparently, there’s a big, private group on Facebook, so it looks like I’ll have to get back on that, at the very least.”
“Well, when you do, send me a friend request. You can look me up by my email address, otherwise you won’t find me because of the privacy settings.”
“Great! I’ll do it as soon as we hang up.” Like the night before, they ended up talking for hours without realizing it. Five hours to be exact. When Nathan noted the time, he reluctantly told her he needed to get to sleep, since he had to report to duty at 0700. “Can I Skype you tomorrow night? Same time?”
The blush he loved on her cheeks rose to the surface again. “I’d like that, yes.”
Lifting his hand to the screen, he traced her jawline with his fingers. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”
He saw her breath hitch at the endearment, and her cheeks got even redder. “Goodnight, Nathan.”
Chapter Fifteen
Zipping up his computer bag,Nathan waited his turn to deboard the plane. It felt like a thousand starlings had taken flight inside his gut, and not for the first time. He was so excited, yet nervous, to finally meet Willow in person. He just wondered if the feelings he’d developed for the woman on paper, the phone, and the internet would carry over to the living, breathing version. And would she feel the same for him?
It was great to be dressed like a civilian again and not have to shave every morning. He’d been like a teenage girl packing his luggage yesterday, trying to decide what clothes looked good on him to make a positive impression on Willow, yet not look like he’d put too much effort into it. He didn’t know the first thing about seriously dating a woman. The past fourteen years in the Army hadn’t left him much time for it, and when he did get a chance to spend time with someone, it never went beyond a night or two. He wasn’t sure if the chemistry he felt between him and Willow would feel the same in-person, but he was determined to be optimistic and hope for the best.
He pulled his carry-on from the overhead compartment and followed the line of people off the plane. His palms were sweaty around the handles of his bags, and his stomach rolled with anticipation. He hadn’t checked any luggage but still followed the signs to the baggage claim, as that was where they’d decided to meet. He wavered between wanting to run or drag his feet. What-if scenarios fought for supremacy in his head. What if she doesn’t like me? What if I don’t like her? What if this is all just wishful thinking on both our parts? What if she’s not really ready to date? What if she doesn’t want to date a soldier who’ll have to return to Kansas for the next five months before he’s free to move wherever he wants? What if she found someone else during that time? A fellow rancher would be a better fit—a man who knew the land and what it took to live and work there. He knew exactly dick about working on a ranch, beyond the ability to ride at a rudimentary level.
He mentally slapped himself and strode forward. What would be would be. He needed to have faith that the person in her letters, on the phone, and on Skype was who she really was.
The crowd in front of him cleared as they split in different directions, and then he saw her. She stood on her tiptoes, waving a large sign that read, “Pen Pal Extraordinaire!” She wore a bright pink t-shirt that showed off her inked sleeve, jeans, and pink Converse high-tops. Her rich brown hair barely brushed her shoulders and a giant smile lit up her face. She was so beautiful it staggered him, nearly stopping him in his tracks.
“Nathan!” she practically screamed, drawing the attention of everyone around them. He grinned and jogged to her. The sign fluttered to the floor, and her arms opened in welcome. He dropped his bags with a thump and not giving himself a moment to overthink it, gathered her into his arms. He tightened his embrace around her torso and lifted her while burying his face into her neck. Her hands clasped the back of his head, and her legs encircled his waist. He bit back a groan at the feel of her warm, soft body against his.
“You’re really here,” he murmured against her throat, breathing her delicious scent deep into his lungs, hoping to keep it there forever. “I’m sorry. I just . . . I couldn’t not touch you. Holy hell, woman, you smell amazing.”
She giggled in response, pulling back from him enough to cradle his cheeks in her hands. “So do you, and don’t apologize.” Her fingers were featherlight against his jaw where she stroked the stubble he was powerless to prevent after mid-day. “You can pick me up anytime you want.” She kissed him softly on the cheek. “But for now, put me down, so we can get out of here, soldier.”
“Yes, ma’am.” His face felt hot and tight, and he made no attempt to temper his wide grin. Several people in the area were smiling at them, clearly thinking they were celebrating a long-overdue reunion.
Setting Willow back on to her feet, he picked up both of his bags, slinging one over his shoulder and holding the other so he could keep his right arm free. She grabbed the sign she’d dropped and rolled it up to carry. Unable to stop touching her, he slid his arm around her shoulders and tucked her against his side. “Is this, okay?”
“More than.” She put her arm around his waist in response, squeezing slightly. “It should be awkward, right? But it’s not.”
Kissing the top of her head, he walked her out of the airport and into the parking lot where they stopped near a white F-350. “This is yours?” he asked in shock. “This is huge for you, isn’t it?”
She stepped away from him and pulled keys from her pocket before unlocking the truck with a beep. “It was my father’s and much newer than my own beat-up Chevy. I use mine on the ranch and this one for going anywhere I don’t want to risk breaking down.” She opened the crew cab door and gestured inside. “You can put your bags in here. It’s supposed to start raining soon, and I wouldn’t want them to get wet in the bed.”
Following her instructions, he took care of his bags and climbed into the passenger seat. He watched in amusement as she had to use the running boardanddo a small hop to get herself into the driver’s seat. Looking over at him, she narrowed her eyes. “You laughing at me, Nathan?” It reminded him of their first phone conversation when he’d said almost the exact same thing to her.
“Yup.” Reaching toward her, he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “You’re adorable.” Her tresses were like silk between his fingers, and he wanted nothing more than to bury both his hands in them and pull her into a kiss. But he hesitated. Was it too soon?
“What put that look on your face?” Her wide hazel eyes blinked at him in question.
“I was thinking about kissing you, but I wasn’t sure if I should or not. I don’t want to make you feel pressured.”Jesus, Casey, way to blurt it out.
Grinning impishly, she scooted closer. “Well then, how about I kiss you?”
