Page 16 of The Cowgirl's Chosen Love
I’m feeling an eight out of ten for the first time in days, so we’re headed over to Brad and Hanna’s for dinner. The girls are over the moon at getting to see little Crissy and the kittens. We won’t be late, but Caleb says you’re off duty until the morning, no matter what.
I won’t even pretend to know what is in the fridge for supper because you’ve been taking care of all of that. (I love you. I don’t say it enough!) Here’s some cash if you feel like going into town, though, our treat.
Enjoy your peace and quiet.
Tamara
Lisa tucked the note away then slipped most of the money back into Tamara’s purse. She kept just enough to stop at the grocery store to pick up her contribution to the comfort-food smorgasbord Josiah had promised.
At precisely four o’clock she stood on the front steps of Josiah’s house, shopping bag in hand and a flutter of excitement in her belly.
4
He’d rushed through most of his day, eager for this moment to arrive. Josiah opened the door to the most tempting sight he’d seen in forever.
Lisa’s dark gaze met his, amusement and happiness shining on her pretty face. There was a brush of pale red on her lips and a brighter colour on her cheeks from the cooling temperatures outside. Her dark hair swung over her shoulders, every inch in order, sleek and beautiful.
She held forward a fabric grocery bag. “I brought dessert.”
Josiah stepped aside far enough to let her in then closed the door behind her. He caught her by the hand, removing the bag from her grasp then moving in closer to press a kiss to her knuckles. Staring into her face as his lips made contact.
She outright snickered. He gave her fingers a squeeze before straightening and motioning her farther into the house. “Come in and make yourself at home.”
Lisa paused to take off her shoes. “You want to put that bag in the freezer,” she warned.
Josiah glanced into the sack. “Ice cream. Three containers?”
“I didn’t know your favourite, so I made a few guesses. Don’t peek.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He headed to the kitchen and shoved the entire bag into the freezer compartment without unpacking it. He turned to watch Lisa explore.
It was interesting to watch someone else experience a place that was familiar to him for the first time. The open inquisitiveness in her expression and the clear delight at the comfortable home he’d created made him happy.
His house was built on an open-room concept. The corner of the great room held an airtight fireplace framed by floor-to-ceiling windows that faced south and west. The hallway to the bedrooms was at the north end of the building, and between them was the kitchen and dining room.
Leaning back against the counter, Josiah watched her stroll past his sofa and easy chairs, trailing her fingers over the soft leather as she looked around.
Her gaze landed on his favourite painting and her eyes widened. It was a ranching scene painted from a snapshot of him at work. The sun had been scorching hot that day, and simply looking at the image was enough to bring back memories. The sweat on his brow and the ache in his muscles from a full day inoculating calves. A solid wood fence around an arena held the animals still needing attention, but in the picture, they had just opened the gate to let out the animals that were done.
The little creatures had immediately run to their mamas, bleating the entire time. The cows had filled the air with worried noises as well, but somehow in the midst of all that confusion, the animals reconnected. A crazy miracle every time it happened.
There’d been dust in the air, a mass of sound, and the heady scent of life.
“Very sweet.” She glanced over at him. “I’m impressed.”
“The artist is a friend of the family,” he admitted. “As payment for being a model, she gave me one of the limited-edition prints.”
Lisa crooked her finger at him and he willingly stepped to her side. She glanced between him and the painting a couple of times. “I like it.”
“Me too.”
“You look very competent and very happy.”
“That’s good, because I’m both,” he teased with a wink. “I enjoy being a vet. It’s hard work, but the animals like me, and at the end of the day, being able to help keep them comfortable and healthy—I figure it’s a worthwhile endeavor.”
“I have a cousin-in-law who’s a veterinarian. She says pretty much the same thing.” Lisa took a deep breath, and her eyes closed for a moment, smile widening. “The house smells fabulous, by the way.”
“Comfort foods always smell good.” Thank goodness his abilities in the kitchen were enough to meet her requests. “It’s my brother’s meatloaf recipe. Or more accurately, his wife’s recipe, and considering she runs a Michelin-ranked restaurant in New York, it should meet with your approval.”
