Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
Brock nodded. Ty stood behind Timberlynn and made a money sign with his fingers, clearly implying that he was winning the bet with Brock.
Assholes.
“You two have fun!” Ty called out as I nudged Pogo into a walk.
Rosie and Timberlynn walked up next to us, and Timberlynn called back over her shoulder, “Oh, we will, don’t worry!”
With a groan, I added, “Christ, don’t egg them on.”
She giggled and looked at me. “Isn’t that what brothers are supposed to do? Pick on each other?”
“Yeah, I suppose so. But those two have had years to perfect their craft.”
I could feel her eyes on me, and I turned to look at her. She grinned, and I swore I instantly went hard. “You don’t like to be teased, Tanner?”
“I don’t mind it. I just don’t want them making you feel uncomfortable or make you think I’m…”
“Working to get my attention?” she cut in.
“I’ll be upfront and honest with you on that. I am most definitely working to get your attention, Ms. Holden.”
She smiled sweetly as she looked ahead on the trail. “What exactly are you hoping will happen between us, Tanner?”
“What will happen? Let’s see. I was hoping we could make it up to this small overlook, so you could get a look at some of the ranch. Give you a chance to see a bit more of the Montana countryside, especially since I now know we have to compete with Park City.”
Her eyes danced with excitement, and I instantly felt a connection spark between us. I liked it. A lot.
“Then, I thought maybe we would swing by this old cabin that my grandfather used to use as a hunter’s cabin.”
“A cabin? Really?”
I heard the hesitation in her voice. Or maybe it was a bit of anger. “Yep. Figured we could have a quick…”
She cut me off once again. “Tanner—”
I didn’t let her finish this time. “A quick breakfast and then head on back, so I can help my father with a fence that needs mending.”
When she didn’t say anything, I turned to look at her. Both of our horses walked side by side, making it easy for us to talk to one another. “Breakfast?” she asked. Her eyes narrowed as if she didn’t believe me.
“Yeah. What did you think I was going to say?” I knew exactly what she thought, but I wanted to see if she’d say it out loud.
Her mouth opened and closed a few times before she looked back onto the trail in front of us. “Nothing. Um, breakfast sounds good, especially since I didn’t have any this morning.” Then she glanced back to me and searched all around the saddle. “Where is this breakfast?”
“Don’t you worry that pretty little head of yours, I’ve got it all taken care of.”
She tried to hide the grin, but the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, her eyes lighting up. “Is that right?”
“Yes, ma’am. People don’t know this about me, but I’m a bit of a…”
“Romantic?”
I laughed. “Hell no. I’ve never been accused of that before, and don’t you go startin’ rumors with nonsense like that. I have a reputation to uphold.”
She lifted a hand in defense. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“I was going to say a bit of a food lover. I knew I’d be starving and wouldn’t be able to eat until well after lunch, so I planned on having one of the ranch hands bring us something to eat.”
She shook her head. “I guess I called that one all wrong.”
“Yes, you did. A romantic, pffttt. Good thing my brothers weren’t around to hear that.”
From the corner of my eye I saw her watching me. “Good thing,” she said softly as she urged Rosie into a trot.
Chapter Eight
TIMBERLYNN
To say that Tanner Shaw was not what I expected would be the understatement of the year. The few rumors I heard about him could still be true. A guy this good-looking surely bounced in and out of beds like he bounced from rodeo to rodeo. Yet, there was something about him that made me want to know more. And that worried me. I would not allow myself to ever get hurt by a man again. Never. And Tanner Shaw scared me. Not in a physical way, but more emotionally. With the way I already felt about him, the dreams, the moments I caught myself daydreaming about him, I couldn’t allow myself to be hurt again.
I stole a quick glance at Tanner. He sat up straight and confident on his horse. The way his strong, muscular legs fit against the horse made my stomach flip. I let my gaze move up and sighed inwardly. Something about this man in that cowboy hat made my insides melt.
He was funny. Kind. A gentleman to the core. And he genuinely showed interest in everything I said. He asked questions about me, but not too many. He was even respectful when it appeared I didn’t want to elaborate on something.