Page 32 of Cowboy Seeks Husband

“You said ‘was’.”

“Huh?” Roan was embarrassed by his outburst. Walker could tell. His hackles were up. It reminded Walker of a video he’d seen once about a baby lion trying to roar and he smiled inwardly.

“You said youwerea grad student. I take it you didn’t finish.”

“No,” Roan didn’t expand on that, but he didn’t look angry anymore either. Just sad. “No, I didn’t.”

Walker changed track. “Can you ever see yourself living on a ranch?”

Roan looked as startled as Walker felt. He hadn’t asked any of the others that question. Because he didn’t intend for any of them to move in. Not even sexy, pale, skinny boys with dark treasure trails who were exactly his type.

“Honestly?” Roan whispered, and Walker’s surprise—and reluctantly, he admitted, respect—rose when Roan’s eyes found his and he said, “No, I can’t.”

Walker let him walk away. When Roan’s left shoe sunk into a swampy patch of grass and he stumbled, Walker nearly jumped out to steady him. But he didn’t. Roan looked defeated by the time he reached the brunch table, where everyone was helping to pack up. That little shit Antoine yelled something about Retching Roan that made some of the others laugh, and Walker almost snarled.

He’d decided right from the start if there was anyone he felt seriously attracted to, he’d send them home right away because he couldn’t afford to get distracted. But that asshole Antoine just had to go first. Walker got to choose two, though, to send away each week. Roan should be one of them. But Walker knew he wouldn’t be. He wasn’t through with the kid yet.

The camera and sound guys began to pack up too, and John caught Walker’s eye. “I like that one. Roan, I mean,” John said, glancing around to make sure Molly wasn’t anywhere near. “Don’t dismiss him too fast.”

“I won’t,” he said, tugging his hat further over his eyes and making his way over to the house. He had a good deal of daytime left and the winter forages needed to be planned out and ordered.

“Hold up. Hey, Walker!”

He rolled his eyes but stopped and turned around. Several SUVs were driving toward the house to pick up the contestants and take them back to the barn. “Molly,” Walker said, nodding his head once.

“Loving the look today, cowboy. You’ve dressed the part and it looks great in the shots. Anyway, I need to talk to you for a minute, and I’m dying in this heat. Can we go inside?”

“Sure thing,” he said, groaning inwardly. “But I don’t have a lot of time.”

“Your time—”

“Belongs to you, I know.” Walker aimed for the house and didn’t look back to see if Molly followed. He had no doubt she would. “Would you like something to drink?” he asked when they entered the kitchen, cursing the hospitality that had been ingrained in his bones by generations of southern living.

“Do you have any ice tea?”

“Sweet tea? Yes, ma’am.” Walker reached in the fridge, and then poured two glasses of sweet tea. “So what’s up?”

“I know we said you had to send two people home tomorrow, but we’re changing that to three.”

“What? Why?”

Molly gave him a feral grin. “I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.” She took a sip of the sweet tea and grimaced, but then lifted the cool glass to her forehead.

Uneasiness stirred in Walker’s stomach and he sat his sweet tea aside untasted. “Send three home. Okay, I can do that.”

“Right, the ones that have to stay are Peter and Ben.”

He narrowed his eyes at Molly and let out a slow breath through his nose. “Fine. Care to tell me why?”

“Nope. Also, would you consider keeping Antoine?”

Walker’s mouth dropped open. “What? No, absolutely not. He’ll be the first to go. What an asshole.”

Molly laughed. “Exactly, makes for good TV. He’s certainly going to be more lively than Roan. I had high hopes for that one but he’s turned out to be a limp washrag. Alas, he’s one of mine. Ah, well.” She sipped her tea again.

Walker tried not to bristle on Roan’s account. “Is that all?”

“No. One more thing. You’re taking someone on a date tomorrow morning, and I strongly suggest you kiss them. So choose wisely.”