Page 48 of Careless Hope
My cheeks warmed under her scrutiny, and I looked away, pretending to be captivated by the heated pool’s shimmering surface. “I don’t kiss and tell,” I said smoothly—or at least, I hoped it was smooth.
“Sure you don’t.” Her knowing smile told me she wasn’t fooled. “That’s fine. Just keep your heart in check if and when it happens.”
Before I could respond, Walker was beside us, his presence like a magnet drawing every ounce of my attention. “Ladies,” he said, tipping his hat playfully, “hope I’m not interrupting anything classified.”
“Never,” Sutton replied with a glint in her eye. “Just giving our dear doctor here some sage advice.”
“About?” Walker’s light blue eyes searched mine, curious.
“Life, love, and the pursuit of happiness,” Sutton said beforeI could formulate a response. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got pastries to plot out for tomorrow.” With a final smirk, she left us enveloped in a silence that was too sizzling for comfort.
“Shall we?” Walker gestured toward the gate that led to the front of the house, where his truck was parked.
“Sure,” I breathed, wondering if my heart was beating as loudly as it seemed.
We said our goodbyes, me with a promise to Eryn to go see Sunshine Acres soon. As we walked side by side, our footsteps synched together, punctuating the tension that sizzled in the cool night air.
“Tonight was nice,” he said, breaking the silence as we reached his truck. “Thanks for being here.”
“Thanks for inviting me.” The words were simple, but they felt heavy, loaded with unspoken thoughts and what-ifs.
He opened the passenger door for me, but I hesitated. “Walker . . . ”
“Hmm?”
I couldn’t tell him any of my thoughts. They were all too jumbled in my head.
“Nothing.”
“Come on,” he said softly, a half-smile playing on his lips. “Let’s get you home.”
“Actually,” I started, surprising myself with the boldness of my own words, “how about we go to your place instead?”
The question hung in the air, charged with implications and possibilities. For a moment, he just looked at me, and I held my breath, waiting for his answer.
“Alright,” Walker finally said, a spark igniting in his eyes. He looked my body up and down and bit his lip. “My place it is.”
16
Walker
We could have walked backto my place on the ranch, but I drove us so I’d have my truck nearby. The ride was short and quiet and soon enough, I pulled into my driveway.
“Here we are,” I said, more to fill the silence than out of necessity. We stepped out into the night illuminated by an almost-full moon.
“Wow, Walker, it’s beautiful here,” Caroline murmured, her gaze lingering on the expanse of water that stretched out beyond the bungalow.
I chuckled, feeling a lump form in my throat. “Yeah, it’s got its moments.”
My house sat on Anderson Lake, which was really more of a large pond, at the base of the mountain trails. It was my favorite spot on the ranch because it combined all the different ecosystems in one area. The trees, the water, the mountains all butted up against the rolling pastures, creating incredible views from all directions.
I’d helped build the house myself, and I was proud as hell ofit. But I found myself buzzing with nerves at showing Caroline my home.
I couldn’t shake the sense of gravity this moment held. I’d brought women back to my place before, but this felt different—like stepping off a ledge without knowing exactly how far you’d fall.
“Come on, I’ll show you around.” My voice was gruffer than I intended, nerves gnawing at my insides.
“Lead the way, cowboy” she teased lightly, but I could hear the undercurrent of anticipation in her tone.
