Page 51 of Welcome Home, Cowboy
Julie looked at Sabrina. “Time to go on a bug hunt!”
A couple hours later, Julie laughed as Sabrina’s head bobbed in the air above her bowl of macaroni and cheese. “Are you sleepy?”
“No,” Sabrina said, breaking into a yawn, her blue eyes little slits above rosy cheeks.
“Uh-huh.” Julie shook her head and stood, bringing her own bowl to the sink. “How about you just rest on the couch in front of the TV? I can stickPeter Panon.”
“Okay.” Sabrina jumped down off her chair and headed toward the living room.
A nap was something that had rarely existed before Julie had started coming here. But she and Sabrina had gotten into a routine—one that consisted of playing dolls, having dance parties, reading stories, and naps. Julie had even started to teach Sabrina yoga poses with silly animal names that made her giggle.
Julie walked into the living room and pulled a blanket over the little girl, then pushedPLAYon her favorite movie. She sat down to watch with her when she heard the side door to the house open. Beth wasn’t expected home for a few more hours, which only left one person with key-holding privileges.
Nervous energy tap-danced in her chest.
“Hey, you!” Lawson said as she met him in the kitchen.
“Shh! Sabrina’s just about to doze off. If she sees you, it’s all over.”
He grinned. “I was hoping to stop in and see my girl.”
He meant Sabrina. Of course he meant Sabrina. But he was looking at Julie and it gave her hot flashes well before her time. She wanted to be his girl.
“Lunch break?” she asked.
He nodded. “But I’m not hungry. Not for food at least.” The blue of his eyes twinkled. Pulling her out of range of the doorway, just in case Sabrina saw them, he pressed Julie against the wall and planted his hands on her waist. “I’m hungry for you,” he whispered, his face hovering beside her ear. Her body heated, immediately ready for whatever he had to offer.
“You know we can’t,” she breathed, wishing they could. “Not here. Not while I’m working.”
“Fine.” He kissed her one more time, and then headed toward Beth’s fridge. “If I can’t have you, then I guess I’ll have a sandwich.”
“Want me to make you one?” she asked, following behind him, her gaze traveling down to admire his backside. She couldn’t touch right now, but there were no rules about looking.
“No. That’s not your job,” he said.
“I don’t mind.”
Lawson pointed to the chair. “Sit. I’ll make you a sandwich. PB and J or ham and cheese?” he asked.
Julie stared at him, blinked. She wasn’t used to having men dote on her. “Actually, peanut butter and banana is my favorite.”
Lawson’s face twisted. “Disgusting.”
She waited for him to tell her no. To tell her that he’d make her a ham and cheese instead because that was easier or healthier, or whatever reason Daren would’ve given. Instead, she watched as Lawson pulled a banana from the kitchen counter and started slicing it on the cutting board.
He was wonderful. Perfect. And, for the moment at least, he was all hers.
—
Lawson slid a sandwich in front of Julie and bit into his own.
“Thank you,” she said, picking hers up. “Want to try it?” she asked, holding it out to him.
He scrunched his face again, loving how easily she laughed. “I’ll pass. You’ve already sold me on yoga.”
“And you’ve sold me on horseback riding. It’s very therapeutic.”
“Come with me again sometime. Maybe this weekend.”
