Page 45 of A Cowboy's Twinkling Lights Lasso
“That’s quite possible.”
I laugh so hard tears form in my eyes. “Tell me how you really feel.”
His arm reaches across the table, and his hand picks mine up. He laces his fingers between mine.
“Now that there are no more secrets, and we’re adults, I reckon we can approach this differently and explore who we are now.”
I lean in, tightening my grip on his hand. “I’d like that.”
“So would I.”
We finish breakfast and arrive at the ballroom with minutes to spare.
“What the hell happened to Santa’s chair?” Mayor Thomas is waiting for us when we arrive.
“Oh shit,” Thorn curses.
“Oh shit, what?”
Chapter Thirteen
THORN
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THE DAY FLIES by. Cheesy pickup lines and jokes continue, and so does the competition.
I wasn’t in it one hundred percent. The nagging realization that Flora hadn’t checked her email weighed heavy on me. And the fact that Dani disappeared has me pissed me off. Then, I made a few calls at lunch and turned my mood around.
When the photoshoot ends, I grab Flora’s hand. “How do you feel about a celebratory outing tonight?” I pull my T-shirt over my head and enjoy the flash of disappointment in her eyes.
“What are we celebrating?”
“Do me a favor and check your email.”
She pulls her cell out of her back pocket. “Am I looking for something specific?” Her smile quirks up with excitement.
“Yes. The response for the lead travel photography position you applied for.”
Her fingers pause, and she glances up at me. “How do you know about that?”
“Dani.”
“I don’t even want to know. Wait, did I get the job?”
The way her face lights up at the possibility confirms Dani was right—this is her dream job, and nothing I do will keep her from pursuing it. Not that I would ever stand in her way.That would be like someone taking my ranch after I spent my adulthood building into something I’m damn proud of.
“I reckon that email will tell you.” I nod at her phone.
Her head dips, and her fingers swipe and click. Her eyebrows knit together as she scrolls, and her eyes grow serious as she reads. Slowly, her mouth parts, and the more she reads, the more they curl upward until a huge smile emerges.
She looks up at me. “I got the job.”
Her feet tap like she’s ready to burst. I suspect she’s trying to remain calm in a room full of gossiping townspeople.
“Congratulations.”
“I can’t believe it.” She doesn’t contain herself anymore. “I got the job!”
