Page 35 of Dirty Cowboy

Her voice softens, and I like the way it sounds when she’s caught off guard.

“Great! Annabelle leaves over clothes and shoes for when she visits.”

“You two are close?” She asks.

“In some way, yes. In other…” How do I explain that my sister is stuck in San Francisco, because I can’t get rid of that man? “In other way, I wish we were closer. She lives too far away when she should be here.”

We reach the top of the hill, and she stops in her tracks. The river stretches below us, winding through the valley like a silver ribbon, and beyond that, my house sits tucked into the landscape, waiting.

“Oh my God,” she breathes. “Is that your house?”

Pride swells in my chest. “Built it with Derek.”

She starts walking again, quickening her pace. “You built it?”

“Fourteen months,” I say, keeping up with her. “Kept me busy after the army.”

“Incredible.” She shakes her head, looking around like she’s stepped into another world. “I forgot you were in the army with my brothers. What else are you hiding, cowboy?”

I laugh. “Come on. Let’s get inside.”

As we approach the porch, she hesitates, taking in the sprawling flower beds. She kneels to touch one of the roses, inhaling deeply before looking up at me.

“These are beautiful,” she murmurs.

“Grandma Estonia planted them before she passed.”

She rises, brushing her fingers over the petals once more before stepping toward the door. She pushes it open, but I stop her with a hand at her wrist.

“One sec. Let’s do this right.”

She squeals as I scoop her into my arms, carrying her over the threshold. She presses against me, her body soft and warm, her thigh brushing against my zipper.

I set her down inside and she takes a slow turn, drinking it all in. The exposed beams, the fireplace, the scent of fresh-cut wood and home.

“Oh my God,” she whispers. “I love it.”

I grin. “Welcome home, fiancée.”

Exposed wooden beams stretch across the ceiling, supporting my grandmother’s candle chandelier. A stone fireplace divides the family room from the dining area, giving the space that cozy, lived-in feel.

Emma steps around it, wandering into the kitchen like she’s casing the place. She stops in front of the oversized window, her eyes widening as she takes in the view.

“Jesus, this is beautiful. Not what I expected, cowboy.”

The balcony overlooking the river is definitely something special.

“What did you expect?” I ask, leaning against the counter.

She turns, a coy smile playing on her lips. “When I picture you, it’s always in a barn.”

What the hell does she mean by that? My zipper tightens at the possibilities.

“We can arrange that, Ems.” I wink, and her cheeks pinken as I nod toward the patio. “There’s a hot tub out back.”

She crosses the room to the window, peering outside. “Wow. A city luxury in the middle of nowhere?”

“Gift from Grandpa.”

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