Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47191 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
“Non-negotiable. You don’t like it, we’ll go out instead and ride another day.” I don’t let up.
“Fine, but I’ll get you back. Just wait and see.” We wrap up our conversation with Lily telling me she’ll be here in an hour or so, and I get my shit together, slide into my boots, having already dressed for the day, grab my cowboy hat, and head to the barn.
Chapter 6
Lily
I pull up to Beau’s home, a one-story ranch-style home. His truck is parked in the driveway, so I park behind him. I get out and take in the beauty that surrounds me—grass as far as the eye can see, trees way off in the distance, and pastures with animals in them. I knew Beau had horses. I had no idea he had so many cows though. Clearly, there’s so much to learn when it comes to him.
I grab my purse, the few bags of groceries, which caused some raised eyebrows seeing as I was already there on my way home from work to get food for my house earlier. While I was waiting to hear from Beau, it was time for me to take care of my own stuff after work, and that included groceries and cleaning up my apartment. I used to laugh at my parents, who always cleaned on Saturday mornings. Now I’m itching to do it as soon as I get home from work so I can be a couch potato come Sunday.
It wasn’t easy trying to figure out what Beau would want or what he had to cook with, so I bought a bit of everything. Steak, potatoes, salad, a vegetable tray, and even some meat and cheeses in case he didn’t eat when he woke up. Okay, fine. I went overboard. It couldn’t be helped. Then, of course, I stopped at the bakery and bought a cold chocolate cake. My mouth salivated at the sight of it.
“Honey, you should have honked or called when you got here,” Beau says, coming to a stop before me on his horse.
“It’s nothing. Point me in the right direction, and I’ll get these taken care of, then I’ll come right back out.”
“Come here, Lily.” His dark cowboy hat highlights his features. I walk over to him. Beau bends down, his gestures showing me what he wants, and dear God, when our lips meet each other, it’s more than my wild imagination ever conjured up.
“Beau.” His name leaves my lips in a whisper. I watch as he pulls back, and I somehow regain my composure.
“You sure you don’t want help?” Beau offers again.
“Nope, this will only take a few minutes. Am I okay to wear this?” I wasn’t even thinking. I knew my boots were a necessity, but when it came to my clothes, it was a whole other story, definitely going for looks more than anything, which is a rookie mistake. I used to ride horses when I was younger. That didn’t stop me from finding a cute skirt, black with splashes of pink and yellow flowers in different repeating patterns, which seems to be my normal when it comes to skirts and dresses these days. It’s rounded out with a layered look, not bulky though. Thank goodness. I can’t stand the thought of big and bulky fabrics. Instead, this has the soft swish of movement. I paired my skirt with a pink tank top and threw on my jean jacket in case it got cooler as the day went on.
Beau grins before saying, “Your thighs may be hurting later on, but I’ll rub them down without a single complaint.”
“I’ll just bet you will, Mr. Byrd.” I smile. He backs his horse up, and I make my way inside, wanting to start our date. When we talked earlier this week, we both agreed that getting to know each other without family or friends interfering would probably be the right idea, especially since for some this might seem like it’s out of left field. Truth be told, I’ve never not seen Beau. I just didn’t think he saw me.
“I’m a man of my word,” I hear him say as I’m walking away. It stops me in my tracks, looking over my shoulder and smiling. “Of course you are.” With those parting words, I put an extra sway into my hips, hoping like hell I don’t look like a fool while doing so and taking the few steps up to his wraparound front porch. I’ve only ever driven by, not been inside. I take in the sight before me—pale beige walls, dark hardwood floors, rustic southwestern style scattered throughout, along with pictures of what I’m assuming are Beau’s livestock and horses in black and white hung on the walls. His home is warm and lived in. I take my time walking through the foyer, my eyes moving the entire time until I find the kitchen. It’s matched perfectly with the rest of his home. The floors are the same, and the kitchen has gleaming wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and the counters are gorgeous. It definitely puts my apartment to shame. Then again, it’s a rental. Why would they put any extras in it?