Page 57 of Steal My Heart (Prosperity Ranch 2)

Carson didn’t want to go back to reality, or head home to start working with Grandad, or face the fact that spring break was almost over. But they’d been at the river for at least an hour, and the longer he stayed secluded with Evie, the more his mind turned over possibility after possibility.

Maybe Evie would work somewhere else for a year, then realize she wanted to return to Prosper. And him, of course. Or maybe when she met with the principal at the Prosper middle school, she’d have a change of heart.

Or maybe she’d fall madly in love with Carson and not care about where she lived anymore.

He could only dream.

Evie was currently sitting on a rock near the river, her feet in the water, while he packed up the picnic basket, then folded the blanket. Her blonde hair stirred in the breeze, and he only wanted to sit by her and bury his face in the soft strands. He wanted to kiss her for the rest of the day, and convince her to stay in Prosper.

But right now, he could tell she had something on her mind. She’d been flirty and affectionate the first part of their picnic, but then she’d gone to the river and sat, watching the water flowing.

There was nothing else he could do to stall and give her more time, so he sat next to her on the rock. Not saying anything and not touching her.

But she leaned against him, resting her head against his shoulder, and looping her arm through his. So he rested his hand on her knee, trying to ignore how nervous he suddenly felt.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Not really.”

His heart froze. “What’s wrong, Evie?”

She released a slow breath. “I got an interview with the San Antonio Daily News.”

His heart resumed a slow beat. “That’s good, right? Aren’t they at the top of your list?”

“They are,” she said in a quiet voice, “so I should be elated, right?”

“And you aren’t.”

“I’m not.” She lifted her head and met his gaze. “I thought I’d be jumping from excitement, but I’m dreading the interview. They’ll see right through me. I have no experience, and they’re going to be expecting great things from day one.”

Carson knew he shouldn’t smile at her worries—they were irrational because she’d be excellent—so he kept his gaze sober as he listened. When the breeze stirred her hair about her face, he brushed some of it from her cheek. “Do the interview,” he said, although it was the last thing he wanted to encourage because he’d love her to move to Prosper, “and see what you think.”

“Yeah . . .” She gave him a small smile, but her eyes started to water.

“You’ll be amazing,” he said. “And they’ll be lucky if they get you.”

She only bit her lip.

“Evie,” he whispered, leaning close and touching their foreheads. “You worry too much. Everyone gets these kinds of jitters and doubts. You’ve spent four years getting ready.”

“Are you just saying that to make me feel better?” she whispered.

He smiled, then tilted his head to kiss her cheek. “Yes, but it’s also completely true. Do a couple of sample graphics and take them to the meeting. They’ll know right away if you’re a good fit.”

She moved her hand slowly up his arm, then rested her hand on his bicep. She blinked a few times, and Carson was glad to see that new tears hadn’t appeared. “Why did I meet you at the absolutely worst time ever?”

Carson raised his brows. “You mean at the football party?”

She smirked. “No. Right before I graduate.”

“Maybe . . . it’s the opposite,” he said. “Maybe we met at the perfect time.”

She bit her lip as she gazed at him, then said, “I should get back. I need to help my mom with dinner. Are you guys coming?”

“Are we invited?”

Her smile was coy. “I’m inviting you.”

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