Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 115683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
His dimple is back. “How much do you charge again? Not sure the Homestead Hen could afford you yet, but I’d hire you in a heartbeat.”
“You’re sweet.” I blush. “I’d be happy to help out.”
CHAPTER 15
Building Blocks
LAINEY
Despite the boost of professional confidence Beck and Mollie and Cash gave me, it still takes me three whole days to work up the courage to text Colton.
It doesn’t help that I don’t actually see Colton at all because I’m holed up in my apartment, working on my Double U Ranch presentation. The ideas are flowing, and I’ve learned you have to strike while the iron is hot.
LAINEY: Hey there, it’s Lainey Brown. Any chance I could come visit you and Dean for a bit one night this week? I have something for y’all.
My stomach dips as I type that last word. I consider erasing it. Am I stupid to think Colton will want to hang out with me and Dean? Do they not like people interrupting their “just the two of us” vibe? I imagine the week is super busy with school and work.
Then again, they did bring me out for a ride the other day. Colton confided in me. Made sure I was okay.
Hit him up, girl. Mollie and Cash didn’t find what they were looking for by playing it safe.
I hit Send. The hate sex isn’t gonna happen on its own, right?
To my very great surprise, Colton responds less than a minute later.
COLTON WALLACE
I know who you are
LAINEY BROWN
Lemme guess. Beck gave you my number too?
COLTON WALLACE
Apparently only because he gave you mine
LAINEY BROWN
What a presumptuous asshole!
COLTON WALLACE
And now you’re gonna say he takes after me
LAINEY BROWN
Yes.
But really, I adore your brother
COLTON WALLACE
Same, cowgirl
LAINEY BROWN
I’m a cowgirl now?
COLTON WALLACE
We gotta get you a hat
LAINEY BROWN
Maybe that will keep me from falling out of the saddle again.
COLTON WALLACE
If memory serves, you asked to get off
LAINEY BROWN
You went there
COLTON WALLACE
Ma’am I always go there
LAINEY BROWN
Stay on topic pls.
COLTON WALLACE
We’re home tomorrow night if you wanna swing by. Planning to make short ribs. Dean is gonna lose his shit when he sees you. My place is about a half mile from Mom and Dad’s
You take the main road but turn right instead of left when you hit the fork. We’re the first house on the left
Gotta run, heading to Dean’s classroom in a bit to help out teachers in the workroom. Room parent duties
LAINEY BROWN
Wait you’re room parent?
COLTON WALLACE
Of course I’m room parent. Why does that surprise you?
LAINEY BROWN
You know why
COLTON WALLACE
See you tomorrow. Just bring yourself.
I’m buzzing with all the things—excitement, anticipation, nerves—when I pull up to his house later the next evening.
As I climb out of my car, the breath leaves my lungs when I take in the modern A-frame cottage set inside a stand of enormous, gnarled oak trees. The front yard is littered with kid stuff: a bicycle with training wheels, another bicycle without them. There’s an adorable mini ATV parked on the paved pathway leading to the front door, along with a three-wheeled scooter.
I smile when I see the handful of small, painted pumpkins lined up beside the door. I take a deep inhale, and the smell of woodsmoke and something else, something savory, fills my head.
Dinner. Has to be.
Walking up the front steps, I notice how well cared for the house is. The painted siding is pristine, and the rocking chairs on the front porch gleam in the fading light. Not so much as a speck of dust or pollen in sight.
The man who lives here loves this house. I wonder if he lived here with his wife, but the house looks new.
My hand shakes as I raise it to knock on the door. I smile at the sound of little feet running to greet me.
Dean yanks open the door and gives me a big, mostly toothless smile. “Miss Lainey! You came! Oh my goodness, did you bring that LEGO set for me?” He points to the box I have tucked underneath my arm.
He is so stinking cute, I can’t help but smile.
“I sure did. I know Halloween is over, but I’m still in the spirit and hoped you might be too?” I hold out the box.
He takes it, his whole face lighting up. “I love Halloween all year long! I was a zombie football player.”
“Spooky!”
“I know. Dad! Dad, come look! Lainey brought a Halloween LEGO set!”
A droopy-looking dog approaches, his enormous head bobbing as he slowly lumbers our way.
Then I look up, and there he is.
Colton. Barefoot. He’s wiping his hands on a colorful kitchen towel, which he tosses over his shoulder.
He’s wearing sweats, a broken-in Texas Rangers T-shirt, and that fucking squint, the one that has my heart leaping into my throat.
Cowboy Colton is handsome. But Cozy Colton? He is downright hot. His scruff is overgrown. His biceps strain against the sleeves of his shirt. And his hair—it’s a little wet, like he just got out of the shower.