Page 66 of Seasoned with Love (Prosperity Ranch 4)

Cara wasn’t sure if she was breathing. Was he officially ending things? At least he was being direct. And that was good, right? Because the longer they were “friends” the more her heart would get involved.

“You’ve been busy,” she said. “I can’t imagine having to deal with Stacy on top of everything else.” She was giving him an out, hoping that his tight schedule was the excuse for her insecurity, and there was still a chance he’d prove her worries wrong.

“See, here’s the thing, Cara,” he said slowly. “I really like you. But things are really complicated in my life without adding dating into the mix.”

Here it was. The letdown. The “it’s not you, it’s me” cliché. Instead of her being busy this time, though, it was him. Cara stared numbly at the TV screen flashing images of Frontier Town. But Roman De Marco wasn’t one of her exes. She’d connected with him more than she’d ever thought possible with another person.

She could see a future with him . . .

“I have to think of Mia, as hard as it is sometimes,” Roman continued. “Even when she’s giving me a run for my money, she has to come first.”

Of course Cara couldn’t argue with that. She wouldn’t dream of it. Yet she understood, because she knew how hard things were for Macie after she and Knox split. How just getting through some days in one piece emotionally could be a miracle.

Roman’s situation was complicated. And she’d never, ever want to jeopardize anything with his daughter. Mia deserved all of him.

“I agree, Roman.” Cara spoke fast before her courage faltered. “You don’t have to worry about me, you know. We had a great week, and maybe we’ll cross paths at my restaurant again. But I’m more than happy to hold up the pen pal thing with Mia—if that’s all right with you.” She took a steady breath and blinked against the hot tears forming in her eyes. She was glad that this was happening over the phone and not in person, because she didn’t want to fall apart in front of him over a silly crush.

“Is that what you want, Cara?” he asked in a soft voice that sounded more . . . thoughtful. Not dismissive, not relieved . . .

“I want Mia to have a great childhood, and I don’t want you to have more complications to deal with.” Cara pulled her feet up onto the couch and hugged her knees against her chest. “Who knows, maybe the long distance thing would be sort of fun for a month or two, but then we’d both be too busy or distracted to keep it up.”

“I don’t think that’s true,” Roman said, his tone laced with amusement.

Wait.Was this funny to him? “I’m not saying I can predict the future,” she said, “but I’ve thought about things, too. Mia doesn’t deserve to be gypped in any way.”

“That’s exactly what I think, too,” Roman said. “Which is why I think it’s a terrible idea for you to fade off into the sunset.”

Cara nearly scoffed. On the TV screen right now was one of those sunset scenes. “So you think I should stay Mia’s pen pal?”

“Yeah, and more.”

“More?” Cara pulled her legs in tighter.

“Cara, I’m sorry I haven’t responded to anything the past twenty-four hours. Things have been insane, but some of that was because you weren’t here in Wyoming, with me. Yeah, I’ve been busy, dealing with the director and lawyers and all that stuff, but that’s not what has been consuming me.”

“Oh,” she said in a faint voice.

“I can’t stop thinking about you,” he said. “And I don’t want to. I don’t want you to fade off into the sunset. I don’t want to be your pen pal, Cara. Not anymore. I want . . . to see what you’re doing next weekend. I thought I could come out there, and we could officially go on a date. Figure out what’s going on with the two of us. Mia will be mad that I don’t bring her, but I want to be with you, Cara. Just you and me. What do you say? Wanna go out with me?”

The tears wouldn’t stop this time, and Cara wiped at her cheeks. “Um, are you serious?” It might had been the dumbest thing she ever said, but it was also the most important question she’d ever asked.

“Dead serious, honey.”

Roman wasn’t even in the room, and no one was touching her, yet she’d broken out in goosebumps.

“Dating without our families around or the whole cast and crew of Frontier Town in the background? Sounds like—”

“Heaven,” Roman finished for her.

She laughed, but she was hot all over, certainly blushing. Thankfully, this wasn’t a FaceTime call, although seeing him right now would be pretty sweet. “Okay, I’ll go out with you.”

“Perfect.” Roman’s voice held genuine relief in it.

Had he really thought there was a chance she’d turn him down? She released a shaky breath.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, I thought this conversation was heading a different direction when you said you wanted to prioritize your daughter. I didn’t know if that included dating me.”

“Dating you to find out what future we might have together is prioritizing Mia,” Roman said. “And of course, I’d have no complaints. She adores you, Cara. And I want to make sure that the three of us fit together, from all angles. I think a weekend with just you and me will be the first step in figuring that out.”

Cara was smiling, although she was alone in her apartment. If Roman were here, she’d definitely be throwing her arms about him right now. “You’re a smart man, have I told you that?”

“I don’t think so, but I’ll take it coming from you.”

She heard the smile in his voice, and her own smile grew. She was already counting down the days until she’d see Roman De Marco again.

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