Page 6 of Filthy, Dirty, Cowboy

She twists a loose strand of hair up into her bun. “He’s a straightforward man. Some appreciate it. Most think it’s exhausting. I’d reckon that’s why he’s still alone. He needs a strong woman. Someone who can give it back to him.”

I see now why she thinks he and I would be a good fit, but truthfully, I’ve only known Hawk for a short time, and I already find him exhausting. Exhausting… but incredibly hot.

I glance out the window. Hawk is walking toward us. Big and wide. Rough and filthy.Why do I want him so badly? God, I need help. Someone… anyone… please send help!

The front steps creak under the giant’s weight and the door opens. “We got the fence secure for tonight, but those posts need to set for the next twenty-four hours. We’ll come back tomorrow.” He kisses the old woman on the top of her head and nods toward me. “Did this one give you trouble, or was she good company?”

Mrs. Robinson grins. “She’s great company, dear. I was just telling her that you two should go out on a date while she’s in town.”

My eyes widen and my chest tightens.What the hell is this woman thinking?She knows no boundaries.

Hawk laughs. “She didn’t tell you we tried that already? We fought the whole time.”

“If you’re talking about that mess after Ash and Dodge’s wedding, that doesn’t count. You should do something alone, just the two of you. Do it tonight. It’s still early.”

I glance up at the time on the oven behind her. “It’s already eight. It’s getting late.”

“Yeah,” Hawk echoes. “Besides, I’m filthy from working and—”

The woman grips both our hands in hers and glances back and forth between the two of us as she speaks, “Do this for me. Both of you. Make an old woman happy. I promise if you go out properly tonight and it doesn’t work, I won’t bother either of you about it again. But I have a feeling about this.”

I drag in a deep breath and let it out slowly.Why am I sort of hoping Hawk encourages this plan?

He looks toward me. “I could shower here. I have an extra set of clothes in the truck.”

My heart skips as excitement buzzes through me, but I fold my arms over my chest and roll my eyes to keep the facade up. “Showeringwouldbe in your best interest.”

“Give me fifteen minutes?”

My chest squeezes at the thought of us alone together. His filthy, dirty hands all over my skin. I sort of wish he wouldn’t shower. I sort of wish he’d take me out into that field and get me dirty too. Instead, the opposite slips from my mouth as I say, “Take twenty. You’re filthy.”

He heads out the front door with a stupid grin on his face.

I glance back toward Mrs. Robinson who looks rather pleased with herself.

What am I getting myself into?

Chapter Four

Hawk

“You don’t have to do this. You can follow me off Main and we can tell Mrs. R that it didn’t work out. She’d be heartbroken of course, because I’m her favorite, but… that’s not your problem.”

Portia laughs. “It is. She invited me back tomorrow, and I’m a terrible liar.” I convince myself this is Portia’s way of wanting the date as badly as I do, because something tells me this girl is versed in the art of bullshit.

She twists her icy blonde hair with one finger as she glances out the window. “So where do we go?”

I shrug, a little panicked about this one and only shot I have to make things good with her. And up here in the mountains after eight, there isn’t much going on a city girl would like.

“There’s a sunset up at Waylon’s ranch that’s pretty nice.” I glance at the clock in the truck. “If we hurry, we won’t miss it.”

“Isn’t that weird, though? Watching a sunset on someone else’s property?”

My brows narrow. “Maybe, but I’m family and he doesn’t use the west end for anything but field work. I’ll text him quick so he doesn’t send the dogs after us.”

“The dogs?That sounds like some movie. He actually has dogs he sends after people?”

“He’s got a few Dobermanns that watch out for trespassers.”

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