Page 18 of A Cowboy's Heart

“Why wouldn’t I be? She’s beautiful and… younger.”

He snorted. “Like I care. You seemed to be getting along with her at the pool.”

“Until she said if she weremy age,she’d go for it if you showed an interest in her,” Willa said with a bitter laugh.

“She said that?”

“Oh yeah. I felt fifty instead of forty.”

Reaching out, he grabbed her reins and pulledher out of the line. She quickly glanced at the other riders, but no one seemed to care.

“What are you doing?”

“When we get to the creek up ahead, you and I are going to talk. Got it?”

As she stared into his eyes, she saw the determination there. “Yes.”

“Good. Get back in line, please. The embankment is ahead. I’ll be in the back.” He gave her a nod and turned his horse to head to the back.

What was he going to talk to her about? Devin hadn’t hidden the fact that he was interested in her, but she’d acted like a bitter shrew in front of him. She’d confused him, and she could see why. One minute she was behaving like she wants nothing to do with him and the next, she was flirting with him. All because a younger woman wanted him.

The feeling of being older really sunk in. Why did he want her when he could have any woman he wanted? Unless he just wanted to experience an older woman. She nibbled on her lip. Maybe he liked older women. Some men did. She’d had men of all ages come on to her so why was she surprised about Devin?Why? Look at the man!He was amazing to look at with those beautiful grey eyes, and thick, silky black hair. He was the total package and speaking of packages, he sure looked like he had a nice one.

Willa rode her horse down the bank to the creek. She had butterflies in her belly just wondering what he was going to say to her. When she glanced over to see him dismounting, she wanted to attack him.

“We’ll rest here for a few minutes then be heading back. Those of you who haven’t ridden before be careful dismounting. Let me know if you need help.” He turned to look at her.

She almost laughed when she heard Judy call for him and he rolled his eyes. She saw him take a deep breath as he walked to Judy. Willa wanted to skin her alive when she put her hands on his broad shoulders, and he lifted her down. Her emotions shocked her. She’d never been the jealous type.Keep telling yourself that.Okay, not before coming to the Bur Oak. Then she set her eyes on this cowboy, and her resolve was shot to hell.

Damn man.You say that a lot, Willa.

“I know,” she muttered as she dismounted then led her horse to the creek to drink.

The other riders did the same thing, and she knew when Devin stepped up beside her with his horse.

“Are you feeling all right?” he asked her.

“Of course. I’ve ridden before. It’s been a while, but you know what they say. It’s like riding a bike or having sex.”

“Damn it, Willa. You are the one woman who doesn’t need to mention sex when you’re around me unless you’re telling me you want it.”

Laughing softly, she stared up at him. “Devin, you don’t hold back, do you?”

“I told you, not when I see something I want. I go out of my way to get it. The Callahan men never back down from a challenge.”

“I’d like to hear about them sometime—the Callahan men.”

“How about tonight?”

“It’s not your family you want to talk about.”

He shrugged. “True, but any reason to see you will work.”

“Devin, I’m just not sure it’s a good idea,” she said shaking her head.

“I think it’s a great idea. I want to talk to you about this age difference you seem to have a problem with.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

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