For some unknown reason, I found myself wanting to spend some time with Tanner, even though I had sworn off him only minutes ago. There was something about being with him that made me feel so different. What kind of different I wasn’t sure of yet, but I liked the way I felt around him. If I were being honest, I liked the way he made me feel when he gave me that brilliant smile of his.
My cheeks ached from smiling. “Well, we can’t have that now, can we?”
A brilliant smile erupted on Tanner’s face. “No, we can’t.” He motioned for me to walk into the kitchen ahead of him. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face if I tried.
So much for my vow to stay away from the man. And all because of a six-year-old.
Chapter Seven
TANNER
“You’re up early.”
I turned from brushing my horse to see Ty standing on the other side of Trigger’s stall. “Going for a ride.”
“A ride?”
“Yeah, I’m taking Timberlynn out and showing her some of the ranch.”
He stared at me for a moment and then nodded. “You taking Trigger?”
“Nah. I asked Timberlynn last night over dinner how experienced of a rider she is, and she said she grew up riding. I asked the guys to saddle up a few horses for me. I just wanted to get some time in with Trigger before I turned her out.”
Ty nodded and then gave me a pondering look. “You like her.”
“Of course, I like her. She’s my horse, dumbass.”
Ty sighed. “Not the horse, you idiot. You like Timberlynn.”
“What?” I practically shouted, which caused Trigger to jump. “What do you mean?”
The way the corner of his mouth rose into a slight smirk pissed me off. “I mean, you like her. Dude, like I said yesterday, we all saw the way you looked at her when she came in with Kaylee. And last night at dinner you couldn’t keep your eyes off her.”
“You’re insane,” I replied as I walked Trigger out of her stall and toward the corral. I opened the gate and let her in. I was planning on turning her out to pasture this afternoon. She was so damn happy to be back home.
“Am I?” Ty asked. He tried to look as if he was considering the question.
“Yes, you are. She’s an attractive woman, of course I’m going to take notice when she walks into a room.”
“And the eye-fucking from last night? Was that me going crazy?”
I shot Ty a dirty look. “Just because you’re in love doesn’t mean the rest of us are lining up to give up our freedom.”
“Then it won’t bug you to know Dirk’s in town and will most likely be seeing her too.”
That caused me to frown, and unfortunately, Ty caught it.
“Was that a frown on your face, little brother? I didn’t peg you as being afraid of a little competition.”
“I’m not worried about Dirk,” I stated.
He laughed. “So you do like her!”
I glared at him. “What if I do?”
That caused him to take a step back, his eyes wide. “Wait, are you admitting you like her? ’Cause if you are, can you say that again so I can record it and send it to Brock?”
“Why would you need to send it to Brock?” I asked, confused by where the conversation was going.
“We have a bet going on when you finally get hit by Cupid’s arrow, and I just won it.”
I stared at him, open-mouthed. “You just won it? Because I said I liked Timberlynn? I’ve liked plenty of women before. I like Lindsey.”
Ty dropped his phone to the side and jerked his gaze up to meet mine. “Dude, no. You can’t compare the two. Christ, you have a lot to learn, little brother.”
I laughed. “How so?”
He sighed. “Lindsey is your fuck buddy. The girl you hook-up with when you come back into town and there isn’t anyone around. Timberlynn isn’t a fuck buddy, and if you even think for one second I’m going to let you…”
I held up my hands in defense. “Whoa, Ty. Jesus, calm the hell down. I didn’t say I wanted to fuck her. I mean, I wouldn’t mind that, but I think she’s nice and I’d like to get to know her a bit. Then maybe have sex with her.” I wiggled my eyebrows.
He closed his eyes tightly, shook his head, and then looked at me again. He moved like he was ready to punch me.
I quickly took a step back, ready to flee. “I’m kidding! I really do want to get to know her better. And yes, I’ll admit it. I like her, and I wasn’t planning on telling you or Brock because I knew you’d make it a big deal. Exactly like you’re doing right now.”
“Did you hit your head or something?” Ty asked.
“No?” I said with a laugh. “Why?”
“You actually like a girl and want to get to know her. Like you want to know her beyond just sleeping with her?”
I let out a heavy sigh. “Why is that so hard to believe?”
“You’ve never shown interest in being with one woman. Ever.”
With a half shrug, I headed toward Pogo’s stall. “You act like I’m gonna ask her to marry me.”
I stepped into Pogo’s stall and slipped on his bridle. When I glanced back at Ty, he was on the phone.
“Brock, you need to get to the main barn. Now.”
I rolled my eyes and led Pogo out of the stall and to the tie-up area to get him saddled up since the
