Page 30 of Marrying a Cowboy

He scrubbed his face with his hand and then made his way over to the truck. He pulled open the door and climbed in. After he started his truck, he turned to look at her. “I don’t doubt you,” he said. His voice was low as if he were struggling with what he was going tosay.

Emma glanced over at him. “Then why did you say that? Why are you backingout?”

He reached out and grasped the steering wheel. “Em, I don’t want to hurtyou.”

Her stomach lightened as she studied him. He didn’t want to hurt her? “Why would you hurtme?”

He twisted in his seat to meet her gaze head on. The movement brought him closer toher.

“Because, I hurt people. That’s what Ido.”

She wasn’t going to let him beat himself up about his mother. It wasn’t his fault. “Austin,” she said, reaching out and touching his forearm. She could feel him twitch under her fingertips, but she didn’t pull away. “None of that was your fault. You aren’t going to hurt me. Don’t worry about it. I’ve got yourback.”

He brought his gaze up to meet hers. There was so much uncertainty there that it took her breathaway.

“Are yousure?”

Emma nodded. “Definitely. Now, let’s get back to the ranch so we can prep. I have you grandmother to winover.”

He reached over and started his truck. Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to his dark house. Emma let her gaze roam around the familiar white siding and shudders. It was cute and quaint and she couldn’t help but have a soft spot for it. Maybe it was because it was adorable. Or perhaps, it was because it was owned by Austin. Someone who was starting to worm his way into her heart andmind.

She pulled open the door and hopped out of the truck. For the first time, she felt hopeful. If she could help Austin get what he wanted, she’d do that. Focusing on someone else and their issues helped her relax. It was better than focusing on her ownproblems.

She glanced over at Austin and gave him a smile. “Race you,” she said, grabbing onto her purse and sprinting across theyard.

Austin let out a laughed which grew louder the closer he got. Once she raced up the stairs, she felt his hand on her arm. She slowed, spinning to see him inches from her. Taking a step back didn’t help her get away from him. She was halted by the frontdoor.

He studied her, keeping her pinned between his body and the door. “Thanks,” he said as he leaned closer toher.

Her heart picked up speed as he neared. What was he going to do? Kiss her? Emotions erupted through her body as he inched closer. For the first time, she knew so clearly what she wanted. And it was to kiss Austin. Not to please a judge, but to show him how much she cared forhim.

“Austin,I—”

The click of the lock behind her broke through her sentence. A moment later, the pressure of the door on her back released as he opened thedoor.

Turning, she saw the foyer of his house and instantly felt like an idiot. He hadn’t come closer to kiss her. He was trying to unlock the door. Embarrassment burned through her as she stumbled into the house. How could she have been such an idiot? How quickly had she been willing to throw away her resolve to keep him at arm’s length. What was happening toher?

Austin shut the door behind him and then slipped off his shoes. “You were saying something?” he asked, glancing over ather.

Emma cleared her throat. “Nothing. I wasn’t going to sayanything.”

Austin looked as if he didn’t believe her, but thankfully, didn’t push it further. He yawned andstretched.

“I’m beat and we’ve got lots to do tomorrow. I’m gonna hit the hay.” He made his way over to the staircase and took them two at atime.

Emma stayed, standing in the foyer as he disappeared. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She needed to get a grip. This was a fake marriage. She had a fake husband. There was no reason to lose her head or her emotions overthis.

Pushing down any feeling that had surfaced because of Austin, Emma followed after him. Maybe after a good night sleep, she’d feel better. As she shut her bedroom door behind her, a small feeling of doubt settled in her chest. One that said, she wasn’t sure she could keep lying to herself. She wasn’t that good anactress.

Chapter Twelve

Austin

Austin stretchedout on his bed, studying the ceiling above him. He rested his hand on his chest as he tried to calm his mind enough to focus on sleep. But no amount of counting sheep or taking deep breaths was helping him relax. Every part his mind kept going back to Emma and the moments they’d hadtogether.

Sure, it had had it’s up and downs but he couldn’t help but feel closer to her. And for a moment, he allowed himself to hope she felt closer to him aswell.

A soft knock drew his attention away from the ceiling and over to the door. His heart picked up speed at the thought that perhaps, it was Emma. Then he pushed that away. If it were she, it probably had nothing to do withhim.

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