Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113330 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 567(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
My racing mind is making it difficult to form words. But somehow, I manage to choke out, “H-how’d you find me?”
Roman’s crooked smile returns. “You said you were going home to Orchard Blossom after Denver.”
“No, here. At the ranch.”
He shrugs. “I asked about you in town, and a bartender told me to look for you here. Sorry I didn’t call before showing up. The number I have for you didn’t work.”
“I had to change it. Crazies kept calling and telling me to kill myself for being a slut.”
Roman looks stricken. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s okay. The new number did the trick. For now, anyway.” My feet still frozen in place, I lay a palm on Butterscotch’s back. “So, uh, w-what, brings you to Orchard Blossom?”
Roman’s dark eyes feel like they’re boring into my soul. “You talked about how ‘magical’ your hometown is, so I figured I’d check out the magic for myself. Mandatory minicamp is over, and I’ve got a couple weeks till training camp, so now is the perfect time.” He takes a tentative step forward. “I still owe you a day of horseback riding, remember? I know we were supposed to do it on a Hawaiian beach at sunset, but I’m hoping you’ll say yes to doing it here instead.”
What’s happening? Why is he really here? Roman couldn’t possibly have squeezed in a visit to my small hometown simply to fulfill his plan to ride horses with me.
“W-when?” I ask lamely, even though I’ve got zero plans for the next eighty years.
“Whenever you’ve got some free time over the next week. That’s how long I’ve got my Airbnb.”
He’s staying in Orchard Blossom for a full week? “Oh, wow. Are you staying at the Claxton farmhouse?” It’s the best Airbnb in the area—a large, recently renovated farmhouse on fifty acres that looks delightfully quaint but actually features tons of luxurious modern amenities and upgrades, thanks to the family’s overhaul of the place after Old Man Claxton passed away. If I were a rich person staying in Orchard Blossom, that’s where I’d stay, hands down. Although, if I were a rich person, I can’t imagine I’d choose to stay in Orchard Blossom for a full week, when I could go anywhere in the world. Which makes me wonder, yet again, what the heck he’s really doing here.
“Yeah, I think that’s what it’s called. It’s a big, green farmhouse on the outskirts of town.”
“That’s the Claxton place. Good choice. It’s our version of the Four Seasons.” I shift my weight and run my palm down Butterscotch’s back. “Have you gone down to the stream on the property?”
“Not yet. I just got in late last night.”
My heart is pounding against my sternum. “You should check it out. It’s teeming with rainbow trout. Some other fish, too, but mostly trout.”
Roman takes two slow steps forward, but he stops when he gets just inside the small stall. “Do you know how to fish?”
I nod. “Mr. Claxton was friends with my grandpa—my mom’s dad—so he used to let my brother and me go fishing on his property when we were little.” I press my lips together and tell myself not to babble about fishing when all I want to know is why the heck he’s here. What he wants. Why he’s bothered. But when Roman doesn’t speak, I can’t help filling the awkward silence with, “I mean, I’m in no danger of being featured on the Fishing Channel, but I can usually catch enough fish for a nice dinner.”
With a panty-melting smile on his face, Roman takes another step forward. “Maybe you can show me how to fish, while I’m here.”
My breathing has turned shallow. My head is spinning. “Trout fishing is easy. All you need is the right lure and bait, and you’ll be Long John Silver in no time.” Long John Silver? What the heck, Iris?
Roman takes two more steps forward, until he’s looking at me with blazing eyes from across Butterscotch’s back. “Maybe you could help me pick out the right lure and bait.”
It suddenly feels intolerably hot in this stable. Also, like my heart might physically burst at his sheer proximity. “I-I could certainly do that. Or y-you could go to Peterson’s Bait and Tackle in town and ask for advice. Mr. P-Peterson makes these cool handmade lures that work like a charm. They’re more expensive than the prepackaged cheapies, but they’re totally worth it.”
Roman’s dark eyes twinkle and one side of his perfect mouth hitches up. “That’s good to know. Thanks for the intel.”
“Are there any fishing rods at the rental? If not, I’m sure my dad has one you could borrow.”
Roman places his large palm onto Butterscotch’s back, and the horse swishes his blond tail in reply. Not to mention, my body electrifies at the sight of Roman’s big hand, resting mere inches from my chest.