Page 12 of Rose's One Night to Forever
Tansy rolled her eyes then threw a companionable arm around Cody’s shoulder and tugged him toward the pie table they needed to clean up. “Come on, my bachelor number eleven. You can help me box goodies while we plan when you’re going to take me for a trail ride.”
“Number eleven? Really? No wonder your dad’s going grey.”
Cody’s voice trailed off in the distance, and there was no one to save Rose from the mess she had accidentally created.
A squeeze to her fingers brought her attention back to the sharply dressed man before her. “Rose. Are you okay with seeing me?”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, her gaze drifting over him. The perfect dark hair, the gentle smile. The suit—
Lordy, the suit.
It took strength of will to focus, and all she could do was go for honesty. “I didn’t expect this,” she admitted.
“Me either. At least not the auction part of it.” He wrinkled his nose at his brother and Tansy, who were now laughing together as they packaged up the remaining pies. “I’ll have to think of a suitably wonderful reward.”
Rose coughed softly. “You’re going to reward him?”
“Aye. Which will have the added benefit of messing with his mind since he expected me to be pissed.”
She understood that sentiment completely. “Siblings. It’s always a close call between wanting to wring their necks or hug them.”
He chuckled, sliding his hands in his pockets and suddenly seeming a lot less sure of himself. “Rose, would you do me the honour of joining me for a picnic?”
He wasn’t supposed to be here in Heart Falls, but he was. No matter how embarrassed she was that the man she’d spontaneously gotten naked with was now sweetly asking her out…
“Yes. I’d like that,” she admitted.
Because maybe, just maybe, being bold enough to say yes to something big like a sexual romp meant she could also be brave enough to do this.
Cody didn’t waste a moment. He waded in as soon as they were in the truck and headed back to the ranch. “You never told me you knew Rose.”
“You weren’t very talkative the last morning I saw you. I met her at the pub that night. We danced,” Chance shared.
A very abbreviated version of what they’d done, but from the expression on her face, she’d been both surprised and glad to see him again, but the gladness had been a touch more reluctant.
He questioned his brother, “Has Rose ever dated anyone seriously before?”
Cody shrugged. “Not since I’ve been in town.” He glanced over quickly before focusing on the road. “It’s a charity date. I don’t know what you’re used to, but this is strictly for fun and is meant to be very casual. You don’t have to take it too seriously.”
Didn’t he? Everything inside Chance said this was important.
Now for the other details. Because this was happening. Settling into Heart Falls. Setting roots.
He’d purchased a store sight unseen. He had art and paintings already being shipped from Ireland that would arrive within the month. “She told me she owns a flower shop.”
His brother nodded. “Yeah. Flowers and all sorts of knickknacks. It’s the other half of the Buns and Roses café. Tansy is a wicked good cook and does all the baking. Limited menu, but everything is addictive and calorie rich. We can hit it tomorrow if you’d like.”
“I won’t have time tomorrow,” Chance said. “I’m looking at houses with the realtor. But soon, I’d love to go.”
Cody chuckled soft and low. “You’re really doing this. No hesitation, full-on diving into the small-town life with a house, and a business, and all the rest of it.”
“I am, but you forgot one of the most important parts of this new start.” Chance laid a hand on Cody’s shoulder. “Friends and family. I’ll have you, brother, and for that, I’m thankful. It’ll be good to finally make new memories as adults.”
“The old memories aren’t that bad.” His brother held up his fist for a bump. “But damn right, you have me. What’s more, you have a lot more guys you’ll enjoy getting to know better. My boss’s husband and his friends are the salt of the earth. We’re supposed to get together one Friday in the next while. You’re definitely invited.”
“Thank you again.” Chance leaned back in his seat and examined the fresh green growth in the fields around them. “Now for some details arising from our most interesting afternoon excursion. You’re taking Tansy for a trail ride?”
“That’s what she wants,” Cody said. He frowned then shook his head as if changing direction. “You seem pleased about getting a date with Rose.”
