Page 47 of More Than a Pretty Face

Chapter 17

Jasmine

When Tyler pulls open my car door, I hold out the foil-covered plate.“You said snickerdoodle cookies were your favorite, so I made a batch.”

His grin widens as he pulls a bouquet of sunflowers from behind his back.“And you said you liked sunflowers.”

We’ve spent the last few days swapping favorites over text, and I’m more eager for Saturday now than I was the day he asked me to go to dinner.

Instead of grabbing the bouquet, I rest a hand on his shirt.“You never said what your favorite was.”

“I’ve been giving that some thought.”He points to the white flowers tucked in and around the large yellow blooms.“And I think Jasmine is my favorite.”

My insides flutter as if my happiness is made up of a million tiny butterflies.I’m not even sure what to say in response.

Tyler leans in and kisses my cheek.“I’m looking forward to Saturday.”

“Me too.”I hand him the plate of cookies as I take the flowers.“I’ll talk to you after.”

He steps back and rests his long lean frame against the side of his truck.“I’ll be here.”

After gathering my bag and mat, I move toward Joji and the goats.It doesn’t feel like regular walking, and for the first time I understand what people mean when they talk about walking on clouds.

“Pretty flowers.”Joji has a familiar twinkle in her eye.“There’s a vase on my counter if you want to put them in water during class.”

“I’ll do that.Thank you.”I rush toward the house, so I can be back before it’s time to start.

I’m the kind who plays it safe.If I take a risk, I don’t broadcast it because failure is easier to hide if not many know that it was ever a possibility at all.But things with Tyler have unfolded in front of people.

When I’m with him, I’m not thinking about what people might see or think.I’m thinking about this good-looking cowboy who treats me like I’m something special.It’s new and exciting, something I’ve craved for a long time.

In the past when I finally let my guard down, I’ve regretted it.So my guard stays in place most of the time.But this guy is coaxing it down with every smile, compliment, and wink.

As I walk past the garden, which is now starting to look like one, I wave and Tyler grins.He does that a lot.It’s such a stark difference to the life I knew growing up.My stepfather never smiled.At least that’s how it seemed.More likely, he saved his smiles for when I wasn’t around.

But with Tyler, it’s different.He smiles even when I’m not around—I’ve seen him in videos—and I love that because to me, it means he carries his happiness with him.It’s not dependent on anyone else.

Independent happiness.That’s totally a thing.It has to be.

Tylerand I text back and forth the rest of the week, and when I open the door on Saturday, I feel like I know him a little bit better.“Hi.”

“Hey.”He leans closer.“The curtains moved in the window next door when I pulled in.Now there is a woman walking this way.Is that Mrs.Grindle?”

“It is.They’ve sort of...”The Grindles have taken more of an interest in my life than my own mother, and I’ve never told them how deeply I appreciate it because I’d never get the words out without tears.

Tyler extends a hand as Mrs.Grindle walks onto the porch.“Howdy.I’m Tyler Rice.”

“Elaine Grindle.I’m so pleased to meet you.When I saw that Jasmine here had company, I hurried over.The mister and I have adopted her as one of our own, which means making sure she’s safe.”She rubs my arm.

The floodgates behind my eyes won’t hold if she keeps talking like that.

“It’s good to know people are looking out for her.I’m here to help her put in a garden and then take her to dinner.”He’s still beside me, and he lets his hand brush against mine as he finishes speaking.

Mrs.Grindle notices, and her smile widens.“Do you live near here?”

“Yes, ma’am.I’m a ranch hand out at Stargazer Springs.”

“Well that’s just wonderful.”She looks at me.“Beau Henry is good people, so Tyler gets my stamp of approval.”

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