Page 34 of The Christmas Cowboy

“Dude, take her out and romance her. Have you tried that yet?”

“No.” They’d gone out once, not long after they first came back to Marietta. But just to Grey’s. It hadn’t been particularly romantic. Val hadn’t felt well, and they’d had to leave not long after they got there. Besides that, they’d only told their families and employees they’d gotten married. Hardly anyone else knew for sure they were married, though they might have heard rumors, so they were the subject of a lot of speculation. Which was the only good thing about having to leave early.

“The Christmas Stroll is next weekend. I’m sure she’d like to go to that.”

“So you want to wait another week?”

“No. I’ll talk to her before that.” How hard could it be?

If it’s so easy why the hell haven’t you done anything yet?

Shit. He had no answer to that.

Chapter Fourteen

The same nightLiam and Connor were meeting for a beer, Val stopped at Letty’s to pick her up for girls’ night out. But she was so not in the mood. So instead of honking she went to the door. When Letty opened it she asked, “Can we stay at your house? I really need to talk to you, and I don’t want to be around a bunch of women who are going to ask me all about Liam and my surprise marriage.”

“Of course. Come on in.”

“Thanks. I won’t keep you that long if you want to go after I leave.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s no big deal. So all is not well in paradise?”

Val sat on the couch while Letty went to the kitchen. The apartment was tiny so she only had to go a few steps.

“No,” Val said. “All is frustrating as hell.”

“Hot chocolate or lemonade?” Letty asked.

“Lemonade sounds good.” Yes, it was cold out but sometimes she wanted lemonade anyway.

Letty brought her a glass and set it down in front of her on the coffee table. She usually kept some around knowing it was currently Val’s favorite drink.

“Frustrated as in…”

“Sex.”

Letty sat. “Oh. I figured that would be great. He’s a damn good-looking man and you’ve had the hots for him forever. Aren’t you compatible?”

“I have no idea. We’ve been married nearly three weeks and still haven’t had sex.”

“Wait.” She leaned forward. “Didn’t you tell me you both decided sex would be in the picture if you got married?”

“We did. But it hasn’t happened. I feel like I’m going to go crazy if it doesn’t happen soon. I don’t know what to do.”

Letty shook her head. “Oh, honey. Yes, you do. He’s a man. Take off your clothes. That should do it.”

“Just strip? Out of the blue?”

Letty lifted a shoulder. “Well, you could be more subtle. Like come out of the bathroom wearing a towel.”

“What if he doesn’t take the hint?”

“Good Lord, Val. You’re pregnant. You’re not a virgin.”

“Tell me about it. I can’t help but think that’s a problem for him.”

“That you’re pregnant? He knew you were pregnant when he married you. It’s why he married you.”

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