He clears my plate. “Cabin four, you say? I’d have paid anything to see you survive your first night. But I guess that kind of validates what I told Wilder about you.”
“What was that?”
“That you’re tougher than you look.”
I stare at him. A wave of warmth hitting me. Of all the things I’d expect my brother to say about me—that’s never been one of them. “You really think that?”
He perks a brow. “Think you just proved it.”
My stomach flutters but I play it down with a coy shrug. “Well, I’d probably surprise you because I think those cabins are kind of cool. In fact, I’m very much enjoying my stay.”
He nods like he’s waiting for the punchline of a bad joke.
“Now tell me more about this inn,” I ask hopefully.
“I knew it. You called his bluff on staying there and now you’re puttin’ up your white flag.”
“Never.”
He laughs, and I grin back, missing this between us. He’s always so worried about me that being real and unguarded with him hasn’t been a choice.
But this .?.?. it’s been nice.
“I should get back to work,” I tell him. “See you in a few for lunch?”
“I might skip it. I need to do some damage control with payroll.”
Andotherthings .?.?.
10
Wilder
I’m back at the Saddle Room after doing some rounds at the ranch. The ride did me some good. But a cold shower would be even better.
I settle for a splash of cold water in the washroom and run a hand down my face. Then glare at myself in the cloudy mirror as I grip the sink hard enough to nearly tear it off the wall.
Fuck’s sake, this is Wesley’s sister.
And I damn near kissed her like the reckless fool I am. A fool I said I’d never be again.
But the urge fell flat when she called herself stupid. Did I make her feel stupid?
Of course I did. Either that or she feels utterly useless since I wouldn’t let her fix her mistake.
Damage control.
I need to find a way to make this work with Rose. For Wesley’s sake.
Right?
I hear the Saddle Room door swing open, followed by the faint clinking of ice cubes swooshing in a plastic cup. When Iturn around, Rose is back. Less flushed and seemingly more .?.?. perky.
Another reason I hate caffeine.
I hang the towel on the bar and step out of the small room.
I eye the two large cups. “When do you expect to get any work done if you’re drinking coffee all day?”
