Page 76 of Cowboy Seeks Husband

He felt his cheeks grow warm. “The show’s rules could use some breaking.”

She chuckled. “I see. You got a hot date, baby?” Tessa asked, smirking. “I thought you weren’t allowed to see the contestants without cameras present.”

“Yeah, well…I’m not.”

Tessa laughed and patted his arm. “Don’t let that stop you.”

“And, again, I’m not.”

She started laughing but then grew serious again. “So, you and that boy I saw you riding off with?”

Walker wanted to roll his eyes, but suddenly he was grinning too hard. “Yeah. Roan. He’s fun.”

“I was wondering who was making you smile like that lately. Nice to see, baby.” Tessa peered at him intently. “Is it more than fun?”

“Maybe.” Laughing, Walker covered his face, scrubbed at it, then dropped his hands. “I don’t know? I really like him. But this show messes with your mind. If I’d met him anywhere else…”

“But you didn’t. And you never would’ve. This show has been a pain in the ass for all of us, but that doesn’t mean it can’t bring good things.”

“Money.”

“Ye-es,” Tessa said slowly. “But maybe Roan too. It’s good to be cautious, I agree, but don’t let something wonderful slip through your fingers because you’re afraid.”

Walker wrapped his arm around his step-mama’s shoulder and gave her a squeeze. “Thanks, Tess,”

She gave him a little wave as he stood and sauntered away. He slowed at the corner and blew her a kiss before braving the evening heat to go find his Ford.

If he drove a little faster than the speed limit dictated all the way back to the farm, it was probably because thinking of seeing Roan alone made his heart jump and his guts wriggle like wild things. He hadn’t felt this way since Mike. And back then he’d been in love.

He aimed the Ford for home and didn’t dwell on that thought too much.

At ten ohfive, the kitchen door opened and Roan ducked inside. Walker’s heart leapt to see him, and his blood raced with excitement at the risk they were taking, too. If they got caught tonight, Walker wasn’t sure Andy’s desire to see the show finished could compensate for the way the outcome had obviously been compromised. Because there was no way he was going to choose any other suitor as the winner now.

“Hey,” Roan breathed. “Sorry I’m late. It was harder to slip out than I thought it would be.”

“I’m just glad you’re here.”

Roan leaned back against the kitchen door, the long, pale line of his throat shadowed by his jaw in the low light.

“Gotta keep the lights out,” Walker said. “Or they’ll see us moving around in here. And I’m not actually supposed to be here. I’m supposed to still be at the hospital.”

“Ah.” Roan looked like a skittish horse, and Walker wanted to soothe him.

He stepped forward, reached for his hand, and twined their fingers together. Roan relaxed a little then, but he kept his eyes down, not meeting Walker’s gaze. “Nervous, little lion?”

“Yes.”

“Me, too.”

Roan’s mouth twitched with a small smile then, and Walker was satisfied.

His hands were soft, with none of the scars and calluses Walker had. He stroked the skin until he caught sight of the one scar on the back of Roan’s wrist. “What’s this?”

Roan winced and pulled his hand away. “Just a burn.” When Walker waited, he went on, covering the scar with one hand. “From a coffee machine.”

“That must’ve been some coffee machine.”

“Yeah, in a coffeeshop. That’s what I do since leaving school. Serve coffee to people.” His fingertips went white. “Nice career, huh?”