looked at you when you walked into the kitchen. And you tried to play it off, but I saw it in your eyes. They lit up when you realized he was already home.”
I stood. “Don’t be ridiculous. Nothing lit up.”
“Uh-huh. You can tell yourself that, but I saw the spark between y’all.”
“You’re mistaken and clearly riding on the high of your own romance. There was no spark. The short amount of time I was here for the wedding, I got an earful about Tanner Shaw. Have you forgotten?”
Kaylee walked over to me and kissed me on the forehead. “Oh, sweet cousin of mine. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the Shaw brothers, it’s that you cannot believe everything you hear. Really, you can’t believe anything you hear. Just enjoy yourself, Timberlynn. Tanner really is a sweet guy and fun to be around. I promise you.”
I forced my body to relax. “I’m sure he is, but I’m not interested in starting any sort of relationship with a guy who travels damn near a hundred percent of the time for his job. And look at the man! I’m sure women fall at his feet.”
“I can’t argue with you on any of that. But I can tell you that it’s okay to have a little bit of fun while you’re here.” She gave me a sinful smile.
My mouth dropped open. “Are you seriously telling me to sleep with him?”
She winked and headed toward the door. “I never said that, you just assumed it’s what I meant. Your brain went straight to the gutter obviously.”
“Ha ha, very funny. But that’s good because it isn’t going to happen.” Even though a part of me wanted it to happen. It had been so long since I’d been with a guy. I didn’t have much experience with men. A couple meaningless hook-ups with guys who were friends, but that was the extent of my experience. I had a feeling Tanner Shaw was wise beyond his years when it came to sex. The thought of Tanner simply kissing me, though...Lord, I knew if that ever happened, there would be some serious emotions that went along with a kiss. And emotions are not what I was looking for. Not now, anyway.
Something moved across Kaylee’s face, but she simply nodded. “I’ll be downstairs. Freshen up and I’ll see you in a few. Stella has dinner nearly ready.”
Relieved that she let the subject of Tanner go, I relaxed the sudden tension in my shoulders. “Thank you, Kaylee. I’ll be right down.”
Once the door clicked shut, I stood and made my way over to the window. The sun had started to sink in the blue sky, and a brilliant orange and pink color cascaded down over snow-covered mountains. I took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. I couldn’t argue with the fact that I’d fallen in love with Montana, even before I ever visited. The pictures Kaylee sent had captured my heart instantly. I could honestly see myself living here. There was only one problem…and his name was Tanner Shaw. I made a vow to myself right then and there that he wouldn’t be an issue. He simply couldn’t be. This move was about me and my future, and Tanner Shaw was not part of that.
Chapter Six
TIMBERLYNN
When I walked into the kitchen of the Shaw family home, I paused and took in the sight before me. They were all talking at once. Some laughed, some argued with one another. An adorable little laugh came from Morgan somewhere in the room, Blayze was informing Stella he didn’t need help getting something out of the oven, and Ty Senior was standing in the middle of it all, wearing an apron that said, Give me a kiss and you’ll get a cookie.
It was everything I had ever dreamed a family would be like. I couldn’t help but smile as I took in the room. A strange feeling of want hit me right in the middle of the chest. Or maybe it was self-pity that I had never had this sort of experience with my own family. Whatever it was, I wasn’t sure if it made me sad or happy. When Ty Senior moved to the side, I saw why baby Morgan was laughing, and my insides melted on the spot.
Oh, good Lord. This is going to be harder than I thought.
Tanner held Morgan and lifted her up, then dropped her quickly to kiss her on the cheek. She laughed each time,