Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
I chuckled. “My mother hates it when we wear them in the house.”
Her gaze seemed to be burning the image into her mind. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without it on.”
I lifted my hand and ran my fingers through my short brown hair. “It’s not often I don’t have it on. I think the only time you’ll see my father, Brock, or Ty without our hats on is here in the house. Mom’s rule.”
Her gaze jerked back down to mine and we stood there in silence for a few moments before she looked away from me. “Well, thank you so much for showing me the room, Tanner.”
With a step back and away from her, I nodded. “Sure. I’ll, um, let you get settled, I’m sure you want to visit with Kaylee.”
Timberlynn nodded and followed me toward the door. “Are you home for long, or will you be heading back out on the circuit?”
I walked out into the hall and faced her once more. Fucking hell, the woman was beautiful. Her eyes looked directly into mine, and I had a hell of a time focusing on speaking when she gave me her full attention. “H-home?” I stammered.
She nodded. “Are you only home for Christmas?”
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. “No. My roping partner, Chance, wanted to take some time off, and truth be told, I did as well. I’ll be home for a month, maybe longer.”
The corner of her mouth twitched with a hidden smile. “Oh, that’s nice. I’m sure your folks will be glad to have you here for the holidays.”
“My father is—he’s ready to put me to work on the ranch.”
She laughed lightly. I was instantly hyper-aware of my entire body and how it reacted to this woman. What in the living hell is happening to me? I found myself absently rubbing my chest to make the crazy sensation go away.
Timberlynn looked away for a moment, her cheeks slightly pink. “Do you, um…stay here at the main house while you’re home?” she asked, turning her attention back on me.
For the briefest moment I almost said no. Maybe the safest place I needed to be was as far as possible from this woman. She was a temptation I wasn’t sure I could ignore, and I really didn’t want to ignore her. “Yeah, my bedroom is on the other side of the house here upstairs.”
She gifted me with another one of her amazing smiles. “Then I guess we’ll probably be seeing each other often. Maybe. I guess. I’m not sure.” She laughed and pushed a piece of her blonde hair behind her ear.
“I hope so,” I heard myself saying.
Her eyes lifted to mine and she pressed her lips in a tight line before replying, “Me too.”
I took another step back as a sudden urge to kiss her hit me from out of the blue. “I didn’t mean what I said about you not being my type. My brother was giving me a hard time, and it seemed like an easy way to make him stop.”
Her brows lifted in surprise. “So, I am your type?”
“Hell yes…I mean…you’re different.”
“Different?” she asked, one brow arched in confusion.
“Different good. Definitely good.”
She attempted to hide her chuckle. “Different good. Okay, then, good to know.”
I rubbed the back of my neck and tried to ignore the heat in my cheeks. “I’m gonna stop talking before I dig myself in deeper.”
“Smart move.”
“See you around then,” I said as I tipped my head and then quickly turned and walked down the hallway.
I barely heard her reply.
“See you around, Tanner.”
Chapter Five
TIMBERLYNN
I told myself not to watch him walk away, but I could not pull my gaze from his retreating body. My heart raced in my chest, and the moment he reached the steps, I quickly stepped into the room and quietly shut the bedroom door.
My forehead dropped against the cool wood, and I took in a long, deep breath, then exhaled. “Oh dear,” I mumbled. “What in the world was that, Timberlynn Holden?”
I walked over to my phone and pulled it out. Candace was the last person I had texted, so I pulled up her message.
Candace: I miss you already. Let me know when you get there!
Maybe Candace was right. I needed to let my guard down some. But a guy like Tanner...handsome, an unbelievable body, someone who wasn’t looking to settle down...I couldn’t open myself up for that let down.
I quickly sent Candace a reply.
Me: Made it safely. It’s cold here, but just as beautiful as I remembered it.
Candace: And Tanner? Is he home?
I sighed as I replied.
Me: Yes. For at least a month.
Candace: Gurl…you better get on that!
Laughing, I almost called her but sent a text instead.
Me: Shut up! I’ll call later tonight or tomorrow.
A light knock at the door had me freezing in place as I placed my phone down. “Come in.”