Page 44 of A Cowboy's Heart

“That must have been a hardship,” she teased.

“Dear Lord, yes. That man is one sexy cowboy. If I were single, I’d go after him. I’m sure he has women after him all the time.”

“I’m sure he does… along with his brother, Jaxon. They’re fraternal twins.”

“Really? I haven’t seen him yet, but now I’m going to be looking for him. I may be married, but I’m not dead. I know my husband looks at other women, so I look at other men.” Pauline shrugged. “Fair play.”

Willa couldn’t agree more. Since when was it all right for a man to check out a woman but a woman couldn’t check out a man? Times have changed. She could remember her mother telling her that her father would get so angry if she mentioned how good-looking another man was but yet, he could say how beautiful a woman was and she wasn’t supposed to get upset. She mentally shook her head. What a crock. She certainly appreciated a good-looking man and on this ranch, she was surrounded by them. Especially the Callahan men. She’d only met three of them but if Roark was even close to being as gorgeous as Devin, Jaxon, and Reid was, she wasn’t sure she could survive it. Devin had mentioned that the families showed up for the last dance of each month. She was looking forward to seeing them but not the fact that it will be her last night here.

How was she going to just up and go? She had to though, that was all there was to it. She should just stay away from him, but she knew she’d never do it since she’d been telling herself to do just that so many times and had yet tosucceed. She was coming off as a very fickle woman and she’d never been one before. Devin probably got tired of her running hot and cold with him and she didn’t blame him. The age difference was the only factor in why she did. He’d make her feel so good and at times she’d forget he was a younger man but then it would slap her in the face again. She needed him so much and the thought of trying to find another man who could make her feel the way she does when she’s with him, was so unlikely. Was it even possible to find a man who would do to her what Devin does? Make her feel the way he does? How would she even find him? Did he exist?

Choking back a sob, she knew the only man who existed for her was Devin, but she couldn’t be with him. He was right. She hated the age difference, and it would always be between them.

“Willa?”

She jerked when Pauline touched her hand and looked at her.

“I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a minute.”

“You seemed to fade away when we talked about looking at men. Of course, I could definitely fade away with Rocky Fontaine.” Pauline laughed. “Oh, there’s my husband. It was great meeting you. Maybe we can get together for lunch soon.”

Willa nodded and watched as Pauline made her way across the room to a short, overweight, balding man. She shook her head. As pretty as Pauline was, Willa was sure her husband would be good-looking. Love is blind they say, and this couple proved it. She watched as Pauline kissedher husband then sat down with him after he filled his plate. Who was she to judge though, since she was this close to falling in love with a younger man?

Blowing out a frustrated breath, she left the lodge and entered the pool area again to find a lounge chair. Her usual one was taken by a curvaceous redhead wearing a green swimsuit that barely contained her breasts. Willa glanced down at her own chest. She’d always wished for a little more in that department, but Devin didn’t seem to care. He’d told her they were perfect.

Yeah, for now. What would they look like in another ten years? Gravity does have a way of making things droop. Devin wouldn’t want to be around to see that. He’d still be young enough to have a younger woman with perky breasts. Why does he want her? The man could have any woman but only seemed interested in her. Every time she told herself to stay away from him, he convinced her differently. He knew how to treat a woman, and she’d be a fool not to enjoy it while she could but once the month was up, she would be going back to Hollywood and her job.

Speaking of her job, she’d hardly done anything with Rocky’s itinerary since being here. She’d scheduled him for a talk show in September, but that was the extent of her working. The ranch had too much to offer for her to think about work and she seriously needed to get in touch with Christopher about getting trailers done for the movie. The shooting was scheduled for spring, and the film would be released the next year. Even though Rocky wouldbe involved in the shooting, she still had to get his appearances booked.

Yes, you need to get your mind back on your job and off Devin Callahan.

Taking a seat on a lounge chair, she slathered on suntan lotion and lay back in the chair. The sun was hot beating down, and she could feel the sweat beading on her already and knew she’d be diving into the pool soon.

Fifteen minutes later, she stood and moved to stand at the edge of the pool then dove in. When she came up, she dipped her head back to smooth her hair out of her face. It was so hot that the pool water felt like bathwater. Willa moved through the water and up the steps to her chair. Picking up her towel, she dried off and wrapped it around her waist. It was just too hot to sit around the pool. Picking up her suntan lotion and slipping on her flip-flops, she headed to her cabin. Not many people were out. Those she did pass seemed to be going for lunch and no activities. Shading her eyes when she saw a horse and rider approaching, she smiled when she saw it was Jaxon.

Yep, he is a gorgeous specimen of man too.

“Hi,” she said when he reined in his horse beside her. His T-shirt was plastered to his chest and stomach.

“Heading in?”

“Yes. It’s a scorcher today.”

“One of the hotter days for sure. Have a pleasant one, Miss Foster.” He touched the brim of his hat.

“I thought we agreed you’d call me Willa?”

When he smiled and those dimples peeked out, she could see Devin.

“Yes, ma’am. Have a pleasant day, Willa.” Jaxon gave her a nod and rode off.

Oh yeah, those Callahans were deadly to a woman’s libido. She watched him until he disappeared into the barn then picked up her pace to get to her cabin but came to a stop when she saw Devin sitting on the swing on the porch.

Chapter Ten

“About time you got here, darlin’,” Devin said as he stood.

“What are you doing here?” Willa asked as she stepped up onto the porch.

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