Page 25 of When a Cowboy Falls Hard
“You’re welcome. Uncle G says you gots a big herd.”
“My family does.”
“My family gots a little herd.”
“Size doesn’t matter, sport.”
“Sometimes it does. Right, Zin?” Mari sent her a bright smile.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She narrowed her eyes at her unhelpful sister. “Isn’t it about time for you to get ready for work?”
“Afraid so.” She popped the last of her brownie into her mouth and stood.
“I’ll come with you. I want to stick a fork in the potatoes and see how they’re doing.” She left her napkin on the hay bale and followed Mari.
“They won’t be done yet.”
“No harm in checking.” The minute they were outside she lowered her voice. “What are you up to?”
“Building a fire under your butt. He’s amazing.”
“So what? I’m not interes?—”
“Tell that to someone who doesn’t know you.”
She ducked her head and kept her voice to a murmur. “Okay, I like him, but it’s pointless.”
“Oh, there’s a point. Have you seen how he looks at you?”
Heat flooded through her. “That’s nothing new. Guys are always?—”
“But this one comes with Uncle Graham’s stamp of?—”
“I know, and I’ve already told our dear uncle to back off. Now I’m telling you.”
“Then you’d better tell Monty, because unless he’s blind, he knows you’re into him.”
“And we’ll have that discussion the minute I get the opportunity. I can’t risk upsetting Tex’s?—”
“That’s the other thing. He’s nuts about Monty. It’s adorable.” Mari quickened her pace and bounded up the porch steps.
“Which is even more reason to put the skids on this.” Zinnia followed her into the house. “Monty doesn’t want to take on a woman with a kid.”
“How the hell do you know that?” Toeing off her battered ranch boots, she started toward her bedroom.
“I saw his face this morning when he found out I have a five-year-old. It freaked him out.”
Mari paused at her door and turned around. “Well, he isn’t freaked out now. Just the opposite. He’s been very sweet to Tex.”
“He’s a nice guy. But just because he’s kind to my son doesn’t mean he’d be fine taking on that kind of responsibility. He’s only twenty-seven, Mar.”
She clapped a hand to her chest. “You cradle robber, you!”
“Cut it out. I’m just saying?—”
“You’re just saying you’re scared spitless because after years of rebuffing every man who takes an interest, you’ve crossed paths with one who blows all the others out of the water. And you want him.”
“I can’t let myself get carried away. I have to think of Tex.”
