Love Inspired May 2023 Box Set--1 of 2 by Patricia Johns

Author:Patricia Johns
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Nathan had thought Monroe was interesting before, but this took things to a whole new level.

A horse and carriage? A sunset picnic? If Monroe wasn’t jabbing him constantly with her barbs, he’d think the cowgirl had a romantic streak.

And if she did, he was going to enjoy it to the fullest.

Stepping to the carriage, he extended a hand in his most courtly imitation of a European prince. “Your carriage awaits, beautiful lady.”

As if she suspected a joke, she stared at him, head tilted, eyes squinted for three long beats before succumbing to his manners. She placed her fingers in his and let him steady her as she took the first step and then settled into the driver’s seat.

He wasn’t joking about anything.

Going around to the passenger side, he climbed aboard. Monroe gently shook the reins and they were off, the big Morgan easily pulling them along the cow trails and across the pasture.

“I thought you might laugh.”

“Only with delight.”

Monroe’s head turned toward him. “Really? You don’t think I’m ridiculous for choosing this?”

“Not even close.”

He thought she was afraid of going out in public. He thought she was beautiful, fascinating and challenging. He did not think she was ridiculous.

“This is fun. Unique. It gives me all kinds of ideas for the guest ranch.”

“Me, too.” She sat stiff and straight, keeping her head slightly turned to block his view of her left side.

The action made his heart hurt.

The last thing he wanted was for Monroe to believe she had to hide from him. At Persimmon Hill, she didn’t bother. But tonight, she’d reverted, as if she knew this was a date but feared rejection.

In his mind, this was definitely a date, taken to new heights when he’d helped her into this carriage and whiffed the enchanting scent of her exotic spice.

“You don’t have to be anxious with me, Monroe.”

She stared straight ahead. “Why would you think I’m anxious?”

He smiled sadly and shook his head.

Using the kind of friendly small talk that worked well in his contracting business, Nathan drew her out, asking her opinion on other areas of the guest remodel, segueing to promotion and the new website, townspeople he’d met, their ongoing search for information about his parents. He told her about growing up in Houston. After a bit, she relaxed and shared about her childhood with two sisters and her grandfather.

They came to a path that led over a pond dam and ran alongside a wide, flowing creek. As though familiar with the journey, the horse followed the scenic path, past striated rock formations and towering pines. Weeping willows dangled feathery green branches into the creek where tadpoles darted over the rocks.

Monroe pointed. “Up ahead. See the firepit?”

He did. Forty feet from the creek bank, in a circular clearing surrounded by trees, someone had created a firepit from native rock.

“Did you do this?”

“My sisters and I, years ago, but recently, Nash and Harlow cleaned it up, dug down deeper and made it better. Safer for my nephew. We do hot dogs and s’mores down here pretty often.

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