Page 15 of Falling For You

“That’s not true. I don’t know you.”

“Yet, you think you’ve got me all figured out.”

“I never said that.” I shook my head, feeling an insane pull to this stranger.

I leaned closer to the wooden table, and my eyes flicked to the man sitting across from me. His stiffness in the booth indicated he was clearly out of his element. His pressed flannel shirt, sharp with his jeans, and large, almost manicured hands that tapped against the table revealed he wasn’t exactly in his element.

“How long did you live in Chicago?” he asked, changing the subject.

“Most of my adult life.”

“And if I’d met you in the city, what would you have thought of me?” he asked, lifting his brows.

“That you were like all the other power-hungry men rushing the sidewalk every morning.”

It looked like my words wounded him slightly, and I felt bad for a brief second.

“But what do I know? I’m just a farm girl.”

“I told you I didn’t mean anything by that. I’m sorry.” He gave me a slow and deliberate smile.

I glanced down at his immaculate hands and shook my head. “Have you ever gotten your hands dirty? Hauled some hay or mended a fence?”

Owen leaned in as a smile covered his features. His voice lowered a notch as his gaze caught mine. “I grew up on a ranch.”

Surprise washed through me, and he chuckled softly.

“My entire family lives in Wyoming.”

The color drained from my face with this revelation. Had I completely read him wrong? “But you look like a fish out of water here.”

“I feel like a fish out of water.” He nodded, smoothing his fingers over his blond hair. “But I’m trying to make the best of it.”

I wasn’t going to back down. “You don’t want to be here, but you’re here.”

He shook his head. “No, that’s not true. It’s a cute town.”

“You’ve been to town?”

“The coffee shop.” He grinned.

“Figures. Corporate guys love their coffee.”

“I can’t help that I’m a guy who enjoys…” He stopped himself, and I realized he was about to give away why he was here.

“Tell me, Owen Benson.” My lips curved into a smile. “What brings you to Buttercup Lake? There has to be something.”

“Oh, there is.” He nodded, tapping his index finger on the table. “But none of that matters now.”

“Then what matters?” I asked flatly, trying to ignore the electricity I felt every time his eyes stayed on mine a second too long.

I tore off a piece of pretzel and bobbed it in the cheese sauce a few times before taking a bite. I looked over at Liam and Evie, who appeared to be having the time of their lives, and brought my eyes back to Owen.

“Well, what matters?” I repeated.

“Finding out what makes you tick.”

I scowled and shook my head. “Why would you care?”

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