Page 71 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
Lawson glanced at Sabrina.
“Uncle Lawson and Ms. Julie sitting in a tree,” Sabrina chirped, wiggling out of his arms. He watched as she ran back inside the house.
Beth snorted.
“We’ve gone out a few times,” he admitted, already feeling a little bit better. Just talking about the woman made him feel better. “You know that.”
Beth punched his shoulder. “What I didn’t know is that you’ve been spending the night at her house nearly every night for over a week.”
His mouth fell open. “Are you stalking me, too?”
“No.” Beth shook her head. “One of my riding friends lives next door to Julie. She says you’re there all the time. I think it’s great.”
Lawson shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “You do? What if I mess up? Sabrina has already lost her father. What if I cause her to lose her babysitter, too?”
Beth narrowed her eyes on him. “What if you don’t? Then Sabrina not only has a great sitter, she gets an awesome aunt, too.”
“Whoa! Hey! Hold up, little sister.” He held up his hands. “I don’t know what your friend told you, but it’s not that serious yet.”
“But who knows.” Beth shrugged and headed inside the house, giving him a glance over her shoulder. “I cleaned the stables myself. You can feel free to go home. Or wherever.” With a wink, she disappeared inside.
Lawson stood there for a second, debating whether he should follow his little sister inside or get back in his truck and run some errands of his own. Maybe he’d run into Julie if he was lucky.
Chapter 20
Julie left the Veterans’ Center and drove home, exhausted from two back-to-back yoga classes. Exhausted, but equally excited. She had an interview for the new wing’s assistant director position next week. Allison had assured her that her résumé was golden. But Mr. Banks still wanted to talk to references, which only made sense. The problem with that was, Daren was the only person who’d ever hired her as anything health-related. And there was no way he was going to give her a glowing review.
Julie sighed. Not without some convincing at least, which she planned on doing tomorrow. She’d drive out to Charlotte in the morning. After what he’d put her through over the last three years, he owed her a good reference. And she had the confidence now to face him and demand it. At least she hoped she did.
Lawson’s truck was waiting in her driveway as she pulled up. He got out and waved at her as she pulled in.
“Hey,” she said, as he opened her car door for her. She’d been wondering if she’d see him tonight. He’d said he was going to be working late. “What are you doing here?”
“Maybe I missed you.” He pulled her up against his chest and kissed her. His lips were soft and warm. She breathed in the smell of him, like hay and old leather. Yeah, she’d missed him, too. “I stopped by Beth’s this morning and you weren’t there,” she said, closing her eyes as he trailed more kisses down her neck. Then he stopped and waved at her neighbor. Julie turned and hesitantly waved, also. “I didn’t know you knew my neighbor.” She furrowed her brow at him.
“I don’t really. But apparently she rides with Beth. She keeps my sister informed about how often I’m over here.”
Julie’s eyebrows rose as she glanced at the sweet woman next door. “Oh.” Julie laughed softly. “Maybe we should move our kissing inside.”
“Good idea.”
She led him in the house. “I’m just going to change clothes real quick. Feel free to make yourself something to drink.”
In her bedroom, she stripped out of her yoga attire, and then pulled on a floral skirt and cotton top that screamed sweet but sexy, and hopefully irresistible. She gave herself a quick once-over in the mirror.
“You look great,” Lawson said, holding a glass of champagne as she walked back into the living area. “Like a woman who’s ready to conquer the world. Or just take over the Veterans’ Center.”
Julie smiled. “I haven’t gotten the job as assistant director yet. I still have to win over Mr. Banks.”
He handed her a glass filled to the top. “You’ll do it. I believe in you.” He tapped his glass to hers.
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” She brought her glass to her lips and took a sip. Having a man in her life that believed in her was a sharp contrast to her past. Looking at Lawson now, she liked her future.
“I, uh, was hoping you’d spend the night with me tonight?” he said then. “I had to turn you down last night and it just about killed me.”
She pulled her lower lip between her teeth. “I…can’t. I’m going on a little day trip tomorrow.”
He set his glass on the counter beside him. “A trip? Where are you going?”
