Page 51 of Cowboy Seeks Husband

Walker sighed again. “He’s objectively a very handsome man. Killer guns. Fills out his jeans. Can’t complain about his looks.”

“But he’s no Roan.”

Walker flushed.

John smiled. “Tell us about Roan now.”

Walker rubbed the back of his neck and gazed out toward the fields. “What do you want to know about him?”

“Everything.”

Walker groaned. “Look, give me some guidance at least.”

“All right. At the horseshoe ceremony, why’d you let Bellamy go?”

“I’m sure Bellamy’s a great guy. I admit I didn’t spend much time with him, but I didn’t really want to. See, my first impression of him wasn’t bad, per se. I just didn’t feel any sort of connection.” He sounded like an idiot. Hefeltlike an idiot. He squinted at the sun setting against the trees. “I didn’t see us having much in common.”

“Unlike Roan? With whom you haveso muchin common?” John teased.

Walker’s ears positively burned. And here he’d thought Molly was the evil producer. Apparently, John was just as awful. He was just not as obvious about it. Kept it hidden until he pulled out the stops and made you say stupid shit for the cameras. Producers…demons. Hard to tell the difference sometimes. He sipped his tea again.

John winked. “Come on, admit it.”

“Admit what?”

“You think Roan’s cute.”

Walker shrugged. “Yeah.”

John rolled his hand encouraging him to say more.

“Yeah, fine, okay. Roan’s cute as hell.”

“And?”

“And braver than I expected.” Walker leaned against the porch railing and swallowed more sweet tea before wiping some sweat from his forehead. “Nice ass, too.” Then he cringed imagining Tessa watching him say that on TV. “Sweet personality.”

“A little prissy,” John offered.

Walker broke into a helpless grin. “Yeah. Definitely a little prissy.”

John chuckled. “I guess you like that, huh?”

Walker shrugged. “I reckon I do.” He ran a hand over his hair. “He makes me feel manly. Not like in comparison or anything. Obviously, he’sallman.” He thought of that sexy line of chest hair and Roan’s treasure trail. “But in the way he’s so…” he trailed off. The word that came to mind was vulnerable. But it seemed wrong to say it, like he’d be telling the whole world a secret Roan hadn’t even shared withhimyet. His ears grew hotter. “Hell. I don’t know. He’s cute.”

“Perfect.” John motioned for the camera to move back farther. “Thanks, and, hey, for what it’s worth, I don’t think Roan’s faking being into you. Not like some of the others. If anything, I’d say you’ve really taken him by surprise.”

Walker swallowed down any urge to ask what exactly made John think that by taking another big gulp of tea. He had to keep in mind that John’s interests were not Walker’s interests. Making him think that a suitor was truly into him was good for the show. Easy emotional manipulation for drama later. But still…

John and the cameramen gathered their gear, and by the time the sun was low enough in the sky for Walker to head inside and investigate dinner, he’d made up his mind that he should send Roan home at the next horseshoe ceremony. He was already too attached to the guy, and nurturing a fantasy in the middle of all this bullshit wouldn’t do anyone any good. This show was about the money—for everyone.

Walker washed his hands at the kitchen sink, still thinking about Roan. He let out a long sigh. Walker tucked into his dinner alone, glad that Tessa and his dad had already eaten and gone to their rooms for the night. He didn’t want them asking questions about the show and his feelings, too. John’s had already been disturbing and enlightening enough. Yes, he needed to get rid of Roan.

That ass, though. And that smile. Those nipple piercings. Jesus.

By the time Walker finished up his plate of Tessa’s chicken and dumplings, he’d changed his mind again.

Roan wasn’t going anywhere. Not yet. Walker needed to know more about the man first. Like why he was really here, and whether or not what John had said was true.