Page 33 of The Cowboy Complication

“Just got done at work and on my way home. You’re probably asleep, so hopefully this doesn’t wake you up. I just wanted to say goodnight and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

They hadn’t made plans, but she had promised to help with his new chicks, so maybe that’s what he was thinking. It was also possible he just wanted to take her driving again. She was close to being ready for her test, but once that was done, her excuses to hang out with Cooper dwindled significantly.

Plus she’d have to find a car, and while she’d saved up a decent amount of money without Eric to take care of, the process of purchasing a vehicle was daunting.

Maybe that was something Cooper wouldn’t mind helping with. She might have to float the idea by him tomorrow.

12

Cooper

ISLA CAME RUSHING out the back door of her building, long dark hair bouncing with every step. She smiled wide when her eyes found him, lips looking a little sparklier than normal in the early morning light.

“Hey.” Her voice was soft and a little breathless as she greeted him.

And for a second, his brain got hung up on all the things that might have her sounding a similar sort of way. That picture she sent last night still dominated his thoughts. The way she seemed to radiate warmth. The sweetness of her smile.

The sultry way her lips glistened and the spread of her hair across the pillow. Almost like it would when?—

He shoved the coffee he’d picked up for her at The Baking Rack between them. “I got this for you.”

“Thank you.” Isla took it, her fingers sliding against his as she accepted the offering. “I didn’t expect you to be up and moving this early.”

Cooper cleared his throat, forcing his eyes from her face. “The chickens and horses don’t have the same amount of patience you do.” He tipped his head at the driver’s door, knowing it was in everyone’s best interest if he got this show on the road instead of noticing every fucking thing about her. “Jump in. We’ve got work to do.”

When he’d floated the idea of her helping him out with his animals today, he wasn’t sure she’d jump on the opportunity. It was Saturday—her weekend—and he wouldn’t blame her if she wasn’t interested in working on one of her only days off. But Isla had agreed immediately, almost seeming excited about the day he had planned.

She wasn’t the only one. He was looking forward to showing her his life. Their stop to see the chicks two days before had been a short one since he had to work, so he’d only had time to show her the coop before they had to go. Today he had all the time in the world. He could show her his horses. The spot where he planted a garden. The shed he’d built with his dad.

The house he’d worked so hard on.

He took his seat in the truck while Isla set her drink into the holder and buckled up. Then she shifted into drive and pulled out of the lot, looking calm and confident behind the wheel.

They were almost out of town when she said, “So I was thinking.” She shifted around a little, looking uncertain. “Maybe you might not mind helping me find a car?”

Of fucking course he would help her find a car. “I’ll help you with anything you need me to.”

It wasn’t meant to come out the way it did. A little low. A little suggestively.

He was her friend. Someone she could count on to keep her safe and look out for her. Someone she could trust and confide in. Not someone who should be thinking about relieving any other sort of needs she might have.

“I didn’t think you’d mind.” She flicked on the turn signal, taking them toward his house without needing directions. “I’ve just never bought a car before, so I don’t even know where to begin.”

It took him a second to reroute his brain, along with a change of position thanks to a certain shifting in his natural state, before he could respond. “I’ll ask around. It’s possible someone I know has something for sale.” He sipped his coffee, hoping the scalding hot liquid would burn some sense into him, then asked, “Do you have anything specific in mind?”

Her eyes staying on the road, Isla pursed her lips as she considered. “Not really. Just something safe and in decent shape.” Tapping one finger on the wheel, she added, “And within my budget. I’d rather not take out a loan if I don’t have to. I’ve saved up some money, but not a ton.” She cringed, her eyes coming his way for just a second. “If it’s possible to say under ten thousand, that would be amazing.”

Ten thousand dollars wasn’t an amount to sneeze at, but it wouldn’t go super far when buying a vehicle. Especially one he’d feel good about her driving around the country roads of Moss Creek during the winter months. “We’ll do our best.”

Isla smiled at him like he’d just discovered the cure to cancer. “Thank you.”

She might not be thanking him the same way if she knew what he’d been almost thinking just a few minutes ago, but that was information he’d keep to himself.

For-fucking-ever.

Isla managed to get them to his house without a single bit of assistance from him, and she looked so fucking proud of herself when she pulled in, sitting a little straighter as her dark eyes angled his way.

“Impressive considering you’ve only been here once.” He lifted his brows. “Unless you’ve been secretly stalking me.”

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