Page 157 of Wildest Dreams

“He’s heading up tomorrow,” Linc replies.

Sensing my lack of understanding, Wyatt supplies for me, “Jason Coleson, one of his former military buddies. Stopping over for a few nights from Phoenix Falls.”

Linc scoops in a mouthful of cobbler and says quietly, “He’s a good man.”

“What about you?” I ask Wyatt, playing with my little spoon.

I appreciate that Tanner’s brother has also been trying to make me feel at home, and so I think that I should take the olive branch he’s extending by starting to actively get to know him.

He leans back in his chair, smiling down at me lazily. “What about me?”

“Are you going to celebrate your homecoming in town?” I ask. “What you guys do for this country is incredible. Everyone in Carter Ridge will see you as a hero.”

Wyatt grins at me from across the table, the smile creases in his cheeks so similar to his brother’s.

“That’s sweet,” he smiles, his voice low and gruff. “You’re real sweet.”

Then he glances over to Tanner and says, “How the hell did you land this chick?”

Tanner squeezes my knee beneath the table and flashes a grin to his brother.

“God delivered. I signed.”

I burst out laughing at that one, shoving him playfully as he smirks down at me.

“That’s got to be the most country thing that you’ve ever said. Like, literally ever,” I say through my giggles as he squeezes his arms around my shoulders, hauling me against him so that he can kiss my cheeks.

“That’s the most country thing thatanyonehas ever said,” Linc agrees quietly, his expression still stoic although I see the hint of a smile on his handsome mouth.

“Mason, why don’t you show Aisling your room, and your father and I will clear up this table?” his mom suggests, giving us thataw, young lovekind of smile.

Tanner pulls back an inch, eyes sliding down to the table.

“Can’t,” he says. “She’s still eating her cobbler.”

I’ve eaten about half of the mountain that Linc scooped out for me and, honestly, I currently have no more room for it.

But you know who probably does?

“Tanner.” I squeeze his forearm. “Would you like to finish my cobbler?”

Tanner’s eyes flash down to mine, his irises sparkling before he glances at the cobbler.

He swipes his tongue over his lower lip, shaking his head.

“You should… you should have it,” he rasps. “It’s yours. I’ve already had my share.”

I try not to laugh.

“I’m offering it to you because I know how much you like it,” I say quietly, grateful that his parents are currently talking too, so that I’m not a focal point.

Tanner rubs a hand down his jaw, stubble scratching over his palm as he flicks his eyes between me and the cobbler.

“You sure?” he rumbles hoarsely.

I feel my dimples deepen in my cheeks.My adorable country boy.

“Of course,” I tell him, laughing when he hunches down to crush a kiss to my cheek.

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