Page 34 of Steal My Heart (Prosperity Ranch 2)

Evie could hear the early-morning movements about the house as she stayed burrowed beneath a quilt. Holt had already arrived, and it sounded like he must be having coffee with her dad and Lane. Her mom wasn’t up yet, and it surprised Evie. And worried her, too. Was it because of the cancer? Her mom was in remission now, but there was always the fear that it would come back.

Evie slipped one hand out of the covers and snatched her cell phone, then brought it into her cocoon of blankets. She looked at the recent activity on her phone. Nothing more from Becca. They’d texted a couple of times last night—before Evie had gone over to Carson’s. Instagram was filled with vacation pictures from everyone she followed at college.

Apparently, no one had gone back home to their family ranch.

Evie checked her email and found that a couple of her assignments had been graded. She opened up the links. B+ and A-. Good enough. She wasn’t a straight-A student like Becca, and never would be, but graphic art could be subjective, anyway.

Evie should shut off her phone now, maybe go back to sleep for an hour. It was barely after 6:00 a.m., and if her mom wasn’t awake yet and didn’t need help with something, then it was a reprieve for Evie. After all, it was spring break.

Instead, she didn’t shut off her phone, but pulled up the text from Carson. The one he’d sent last night, and the one she’d read at least a dozen times, or two dozen, before finally falling asleep.

You want the truth? Here’s the truth. The most beautiful women are the ones who don’t realize it. You’re not only beautiful on the outside, but you’re beautiful on the inside. If you didn’t have a good heart, you wouldn’t feel so torn about choosing where to work after graduation. Even though you say you don’t want to live in Prosper, I can see how much your family means to you. You aren’t awkward, not in the least. You’re finding your footing. Big decisions are looming, and you’re testing the waters. If you’re naïve, it’s because you see only the good in people and trust too much. And if you think you cave to pressure, you don’t. You’re choosing what you think is the best thing for everyone. I should be thanking you, Evie Prosper, because it’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed the company of a woman who didn’t have an agenda. Maybe it’s even the first time. I’m not lying when I say you’re beautiful, and you should know that you’re stronger than you think.

Okay, so she was teary again—had been last night, too, when reading it over and over.

Carson should be a professional letter writer or greeting card creator—was there such a profession? On one hand, the text was completely cheesy; on the other hand, it had reached her deepest insecurities. His words were perhaps the most sincere she’d ever heard from a guy—from anyone, really.

She closed her eyes for a moment, ignoring the sounds about the house as she absorbed all that was Carson. His smile that she was seeing more and more of. The way he was so direct in his words. His surprising vulnerability. That motorcycle accident had been rough on him, and she was glad she could help him by driving.

She liked how he seemed at ease with all types of people. He hadn’t been fazed by anything in her family—not her brothers’ intrusive questions or their apparent instant friendship. She’d made it clear to her brothers that Carson was just a random ride, nothing more. But now . . . Stop, Evie! She had a problem, and she knew it. A guy paid a little attention to her, and suddenly, she was dreaming up a happily ever after. She had to stop doing that. Especially with Carson. He knew her family. His grandad was their next-door neighbor, and Carson could very well be a Prosper resident soon.

She also knew his text by heart, and how he’d implied that other women—Ones he’d dated? Had relationships with?—always had an agenda. And he appreciated that she didn’t. So she wasn’t going to think about how holding his hand last night for those brief moments had sent goose bumps skittering across her skin. Or how the deep timbre of his voice had made her feel all melty inside. And how when he said she was beautiful, she could have thrown her arms about his neck and never let go.

Her phone buzzed, and Evie opened the incoming text from Becca.

What’s the update?

Evie groaned. She might have said too much about Carson yesterday, and she might have told Becca she was going over to his homestead to talk to him last night. She typed out a short reply, because she wasn’t ready to explain to Becca. She’d just analyze every little thing, and Evie had done enough of that on her own.

Nothing new. Just woke up. Helping my mom today with her new quilt.

Will you see Carson?

Probably, but don’t read into it.

I’m totally reading into it.

Evie sighed. I know you are. But I’m not going to be.

Becca sent a winking emoji.

And before Evie could be tempted to re-read Carson’s text to her, she climbed out of bed. The house had gone silent, which meant the men were outside someplace. After her shower, Evie went into the kitchen to find cold coffee. She put on new coffee and found some eggs in the fridge. She made extra scrambled eggs for her mom, then covered the bowl so she would find it when she woke up.

“Evie?” her mom said.

She turned to see her mom in her robe and slippers, not a sight she often saw. She was always put together. “Sleep in?” Evie teased, although she felt a knot of worry tightening her stomach.

Her mom smiled. “No, I like to read in bed for about an hour. Besides, 7:00 am is early in most people’s lives.”

“Right.” Evie began to wash out her bowl and the pan and utensils she’d used. “When do you want to start on the quilt?”

Her mom sat at the kitchen table. “After your ride.”

“My ride?” Evie looked over her shoulder. “What are you talking about?”

“Go on and ride your horse,” her mom said. “Enjoy yourself while you’re here.”

“But I thought—”

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