Page 51 of A Cowboy's Twinkling Lights Lasso
Thorn steps aside, and the scene unfolds before me like a dream. Strings of twinkling lights hang low from beams on the ceiling. A thick red and black checkered blanket lay in the center of the worn floorboards and directly under the few glass panels along the ceiling. Space heaters buzz quietly and fill the room with warmth the rest of the chilly house lacks.
“You did this?” I can’t help but regret all the time we’ve lost together, but I push it away to embrace this moment. “How?”
“I know a guy.”
“You seem to know a few guys.”
He kisses my hand before guiding me to the center of the room. We settle on the blanket and unpack the picnic basket. The turkey sandwiches from Alma are delicious and we wash them down with whiskey milkshakes.
We reminisce about the time we spent in this attic and laugh about how we ended up here in the first place. When we finish our dessert, we lie on our backs stuffed to the max. The star-filled sky is still pretty through the dirty windows overhead.
I can’t help stealing glances at him stretched out beside me. His Stetson sits beside him on the blanket, and his head rests in the crook of his arm. The fabric of his shirt clings to his chest, accenting strong muscles honed from years of hard work on his ranch. My eyes trace down to his toned abdomen, where the subtle rise and fall of his breathing reveal sculpted lines that make my heart race.
A smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. “Enjoying the view?”
“I am actually.”
His deep-throated chuckle causes his Adam’s apple to rise slightly.
“You remember those summer days?” Nostalgia threads through his voice.
My heart swells at the thought. “How could I forget? You were always there, following me like a little shadow.”
“I was not little.” He tilts his head, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Besides, I couldn’t help it. You were a breathtaking vision, and I was hooked.”
“Breathtaking vision?” I laugh. “Now I know you’re lying. I didn’t put a single thought into my appearance. Jeans, T-shirts, and ponytails. I think you’re mistaking me for someone else.”
“Quit bringing your dark cloud into my sunshine.” He thickens his accent. “You’re grumbling like the mayor at a town meetin’.”
I laugh. “He still grumbles, huh?”
“Don’t change the subject. I didn’t care about any of that stuff—I still don’t.”
“Okay.” My word drips in sarcasm. “I’m pretty sure your jaw hit the floor when you saw me in that short-knitted mini dress last night?”
He murmurs something I can’t make out.
“What was that?” I tease.
“Hell, yes, I noticed you in that dress. I’ll always notice you. You can wear that dress or this morning’s pajamas, and I’ll notice you.”
“You really know the way to a girl’s heart because those are my favorite pajamas.”
“You know what one of my favorite things is?”
“What?”
“Watching you take photos.”
I turn to him, teasing. “Not when you’re the subject.”
“No, ma’am.” He turns his head back to the sky. The moonlight traces the lines of his jaw. “This weekend has been a struggle. I had to pull up my big boy boots.”
“I guess you’re glad the photoshoot is over.”
“I’m thankful tomorrow is just lunch so we can spend the afternoon together.”
“You want to spend the afternoon with me?”
