Page 44 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

He went to the side window and peered out at the bunkhouse. There was no one outside. Normally he'd be down there by now, but he'd been hanging around here, trapped in indecision. He needed to go down and check in with Boone, but he didn't want to leave before he saw Amelia. If he'd gone when he first got up, he could have been back here by now.

He had to laugh at himself. He knew his brothers would laugh if they could see him. He looked around the kitchen as if something there might be able to make the decision for him. When his gaze landed on the eggs that Shayna had brought up the other day, he decided that they could be his tie-breaker. He could stay here and make breakfast. He could text Boone just as easily as walk down there, and if the foreman needed him for anything, he'd let him know.

Ford: I'll be down in a while. Everything okay?

Boone: Everything's fine. Take the day off if you want. I'll give you a shout if I need you, but I doubt I will.

Ford: I'll check in after breakfast.

Boone: Ok. Heard you had a good time last night.

Ford made a face.

Ford: I’d forgotten how fast word travels around here.

Boone: That's because you're not usually a source of gossip.

Ford: I'm not. Who told you?

Boone: I talked to Brody just now.

Ford: Are you guys getting together for lunch this afternoon? You take the day off if you want it.

Boone: We were trying to figure out the details. I may take off for a few hours. I'll let you know if I'm going.

Ford: Ok. Talk to you later.

He set his phone down and went to look through the fridge. He had everything he needed to make a full breakfast; he just didn't know if Amelia would eat it. They hadn't shared many meals since she'd arrived, and all she had in the fridge were some pots of yogurt. She seemed to eat more protein bars than anything else. He smiled. She'd enjoyed the sandwiches, chips, and cake yesterday, though. He decided to get started. If she got up and wanted something else instead, he'd figure it out. And if she didn't get up for a while, he could leave it in the warming drawer for her.

He'd barely gotten started when the sound of her voice from the doorway made him spin around.

"Morning."

He grinned at the sight of her. "Good morning. How did you sleep?"

"Wonderfully, thank you. I love my room and the bed – so comfortable."

"I'm glad to hear it. Can I get you coffee?"

She stepped forward, and it was only when she came into the room that he noticed she was still wearing pajamas. It made his breath catch in his chest. Not that they were sexy or anything – they were pale blue flannel. But they looked cozy, and the fact she was wearing them told him she was comfortable around him. Even more than that, the moment felt... intimate.

"I can get coffee," she told him. "Do you want a refill?"

He shook his head, still smiling. His gaze never left hers as she passed him on her way to the coffee pot. She filled a mug and held it up in front of her mouth as she spoke. "It's my turn to ask if you're laughing at me. I know I'm a mess, but I heard you moving around and I wanted to come say hi." She raised the mug a little higher. "Plus, I needed caffeine."

He took a step toward her, then stopped. He didn't want to crowd her – sure, she'd kissed him last night, but he didn't know what the protocol was after a first date when your date happened to be staying in your home.

She made it easy for him and came to him, reaching out to run her hand down his arm. "Don't look so worried. I didn't turn into a monster the morning after."

He chuckled. "Not what I was thinking. I just didn't want to crowd you."

She raised her eyebrows. "That's a shame."

At that, he plucked the mug from her hands and set it down on the counter, loving the little smile that played on her lips as she watched him. He went back to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her to his chest as he lifted her off her feet.

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing a sweet little kiss to the tip of his nose.

"This better?" he asked.