Page 19 of The Rancher’s Bride

Her eyebrows lift. “You think?”

“I knew I was one before you got here.”

“That doesn’t make it better.”

“No. But I’ve been worse with you.”

“Why?”

Because when I’m with you, I don’t know what the hell to do with myself.

I’m not saying that.

“I’m used to being alone,” I say instead. “Nobody questions me. Nobody cares what I’m doing or how I say something.”

“And you liked that?”

“I thought I did.”

Her expression shifts.

I rub a hand over my jaw. “I haven’t treated you right. I know that.”

She stares at me, like she isn’t sure what to do with everything I’m saying.

“I can do better,” I say.

“You should.”

“I will.”

“I’ll believe you can change when I see it,” she says.

I point toward the table. “What do you call those?”

She looks at the flowers. “A nice gesture. It’s going to take more than one bouquet.”

“How much more?”

“Time. Effort. Consistency.”

“That sounds expensive.”

She rolls her eyes.

I take a step toward her. “Fine. I can do time and effort.”

“And consistency?”

“We’ll see.”

“That isn’t reassuring.”

“I’m being honest.”

She shakes her head, but she’s smiling now.

“And don’t forget this goes both ways,” I say. “You’re supposed to romance me, too.”