Page 54 of Hard To Fall
I whisper, “Is she judging me?”
“Yup.”
“Umm.” I’m at a loss.
She pats my shoulder. "You'll be fine.”
“Okay,” her sister calls. “I get it now.”
Lily laughs and jogs over, pulling her into a tight hug. I hang back, giving them space. When they separate, Lily gestures toward me.
Her sister studies me like she’s sizing up a horse, a slow, smug smile appearing.
“You must be Colt,” she says.
“Yes, ma’am.”
She raises a brow. “Wow, a polite cowboy.” She mock whispers, “Hope that politeness doesn’t bleed over into the bedroom.”
Lily groans. “Don’t start.”
The woman sticks out her hand. “I’m Sierra.”
Her grip is firm, and I like her already.
“He’s the storm,” Lily tells her.
Sierra smiles. “Yeah. I can see that.”
“And I’m staying,” Lily adds, glancing at me.
Sierra’s eyes flick between us, then soften. “I had no doubt.”
That’s it. No warning speech, no interrogation, just approval.
Levi yells something unintelligible from across the arena, and Sierra turns toward the sound. “That the unruly brother?”
“Yup,” Lily says.
Sierra grins. “I like him.”
I grab for Lily’s hand as Sierra makes her way toward Levi, and she laughs. “Levi is in for it with her. She’s dangerous.”
“He needs someone to set his ass straight.”
“Oh, she’d be the one to do it.”
Levi calls out. “Lily, you didn't tell me you had a younger, even more beautiful sister!”
“Hey!” I bark. “Watch your mouth.”
Levi puts his hands up, “No disrespect, brother, but you’ve got a woman.” He winks at Sierra. “Maybe it’s my turn.”
Sierra stops in front of him, arms crossed again. “Listen, cowboy, you don’t get a choice here. If I like you, you get a shot. If not…” Her voice trails, and she shrugs. Levi stares bewildered, a smile tugging at his lips.
He laughs, clears his throat, then laughs again.
“What’s wrong, Levi? You look nervous.” I chuckle. I’ve never seen him awestruck before.
