The Cowgirl's Chosen Love - Vivian Arend Page 0,47
style.”
Finn held back all but a split second of amusement. “Update me. How’s it going?”
“Your guess is as good as mine at this point,” Zach admitted. “It’s too soon for a breakthrough. I didn’t expect Julia to fall into my bed the instant we got home.”
His friend’s grin flashed. “Too bad.”
“I will hurt you,” Zach warned. “Lucky bastard.”
Finn winked then grew serious again. “Heads-up. Karen said there’s something brewing in terms of a gathering next week.”
“As long as it’s not the weekend. I’ll need Julia to come to Nelson with me.”
“The gathering is for family.” Finn paused for emphasis. “Extended family.”
“Okay.” The way Finn kept staring meant Zach was missing something important, but for the life of him he couldn’t think of—
Oh.
Oh, damn.
“Family, as in Julia’s dad will be here?”
“Correct.”
Well, then. Nothing like an old-fashioned panic attack to get a man’s heart pumping. “Did George Coleman mention he was bringing a shotgun? I figure Karen learned to shoot from someone, but I was hoping to avoid being a target again for a good long time.”
Finn grinned. “You’ll be fine. Just wanted to warn you so you can be prepared when Julia springs the news on you.”
“You’re the best.” Zach held up a fist, and Finn bumped it firmly.
The door swung open, and Julia rushed in, talking as she moved. “Zach, you here? Sorry I’m—”
She full-on collided with his body.
He wrapped his arms around Julia to catch her before she bounced to the floor. “Steady there, gorgeous.”
The weight of her in his arms was perfect in so many ways, but the instant she wiggled for freedom, he let her go.
“Sorry, again. Didn’t mean to rush in like a pinball. Hey, Finn. You sticking around?”
“Hey, Julia. And nope. Karen and I have plans.” Finn tilted his chin at Zach. “See you tomorrow.”
The whirlwind continued. Julia's excitement had her nearly bouncing as she rushed off to change. “We eating before or after we ride?” she called over her shoulder.
“During,” he responded. “Change first, details later.”
Half an hour later, they were on the trail. Julia’s grin stretched from ear to ear. She leaned forward and patted the dun-coloured gelding, Corncob, on the neck. “What a perfect way to end the day.”
It was, although Zach could think of a dozen other things he’d also like to do with Julia that wouldn’t involve leaving the cabin. “Trail rides are on the Fun Things list.”
She straightened suddenly, examining him. “You do like riding, don’t you?”
“Yup.”
Julia sighed in relief. “Thank goodness. For a minute there, I thought I might be tormenting you instead of doing something we both enjoy.”
“That’s the yoga tomorrow.” He said it with a wink but quickly reassured her. “I’m teasing. I don’t mind trying it one bit. My sisters rave all the time about how much it’s improved their flexibility and helped with concentration.”
“It does,” Julia agreed. She paused, and her tone went utterly casual. “Which of your five sisters?”
Talking about his family was a nice, safe topic. “At least half of them at any given moment. Don’t try to memorize their names, because I’ll remind you as needed. Lindsey, Mattie, Rachelle, and Quinn are older than me. Petra is younger.”
“She’s the one who pinkie swears,” Julia said with a smile.
“She does. She also stole my toys, broke my bike, and once got us locked in the crawlspace of the house. She was my playmate growing up.”
Which moved the conversation into stories of living with that many females under one roof. He talked, and she asked questions, the flow interrupted over and over when one of them spotted something in the field, or a hawk flew overhead, or when the trees in the distance moved to reveal a deer staring at them with interest and caution.
The fall evening was warm enough that when he spread the blanket on the ground by the river, Julia relaxed onto it with a contented sigh.
She rolled onto her back and stared skyward. “It’s so peaceful and quiet. This is exactly what I needed.”
Zach lowered himself beside her, the food basket off to one side. Her expression was pure contentment.
His gaze drifted over her curves with appreciation. “Me too.”
Somehow the words didn’t come out too lust-filled.
Julia took a deep breath, and for an instant their gazes met. He wanted to cover her slowly. Stretch his body over hers and take those pouting lips that she’d just licked in a kiss that would heat up the air around them to a spring day.
The moment vanished as Julia laughed, reaching for