Page 67 of An Unfinished Memory

“No wonder I had to change all the lightbulbs,” he mused.

“Didn’t you notice the ceilings are lower in my house?”

He smirked. “I noticed it was an older house. Well kept up.”

“Well kept with no arched ceilings that have recessed lighting. I couldn’t call Aggie every time I had to replace a bulb. The rest I can hire out for.”

“So, no zipline.” He studied the tourist magazine he’d picked up from a stand outside the restaurant. “The musical?”

“Absolutely.” I took a drink of water.

He blanched. “You’re afraid of ladders. I’m afraid of singing cowboys.”

I choked on my water as laughter mixed with my mouthful. I scrambled for a napkin, and Wilder’s eyes sparkled. When I recovered without making a scene, I scowled at him. “Eliot sings.”

“Exactly. He’s singing, and you think his mood can’t be that bad. Then he’s cussing out the weather and half his help and getting me to agree to more work.”

“Only half his help?”

Wilder smirked. “There are a couple guys even he’s afraid of scaring away. They’d be too hard to replace.”

I thought Eliot secretly liked being a boss. A lot of his family had left, but his workers were with him day in and day out. “How’s his intern doing?”

“Moved on already. Found a ranch in Texas to work on. Said he’d take the heat over the winters.” Wilderturned a page. “I’ll still go to the musical if you promise to hold my hand.”

The easiest promise I’d ever make. “Deal.”

“Cowboy museum?”

I shook my head. “I’ve never been a museum girl.”

“When you’ve already been with the best cowboy, the rest just can’t compare.”

Good thing I wasn’t drinking water again. This was the charming Wilder I’d met who didn’t get his head stuck mulling over work issues. “I want to drive through the park and hike tomorrow. Pack food and water and do the picnic thing.”

“Sounds fun.”

For me, maybe. I was prepared for a day hike. “You’re wearing cowboy boots, Wilder.”

His gaze dropped to my collarbone. “I packed other shoes, Doc.”

His tell. He was lying, but I wasn’t going to call him out. He’d have to keep up, or I’d leave him behind. “Good, because I want to hike on Sunday too.”

“Hike away. I’m ready.” He leaned forward. “Just know that you might be a little stiff in the morning.”

Yes, please!rang through my head. I’d been trying not to think about tonight since he’d hopped into my pickup. If I let myself go there, we’d never leave the camper. I’d be naked and under him already.

“You think so, cowboy?” I asked innocently.

“Challenge accepted.”

Our food arrived. I was almost done when I got a message from Aggie.

Aggie: Are you okay, or do I need to callfor a search?

“Oh, crap. I forgot to tell Aggie I arrived.” I punched out a quick message.Sorry! I’m here and polishing off a burger basket. Thanks for checking in.

“Ansen owes you for moving near them and becoming their vet. Dr. Jake would’ve driven him crazy.”

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