“It’s family-run,” he told her, explaining what he did for a living. “We call it Westmore Works, technically, but we’ll do whatever needs doing. Knock down a wall, install a drainage system, fix the garden. People around town generally come to us for just about everything.”
“Do you all live on the ranch?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yep. Me, my brother, my sister, her whole family, and Mama Mae. This is us.”
The truck climbed to the top of a hill, where she could fully see the mountain range encircling them. An expanse of nothing but forest behind them. The nothingness was dizzying and refreshing. “C’mon, I’ll show you inside,” he said, getting out of the car.
Middle of nowhere, Holly thought to herself. With a man I just met. Where’s my pepper spray—?
It had all the makings of a good old-fashioned hunting cabin, complete with wood-paneled walls, a brick fireplace, and a pair of strong antlers that hung over the mantel. The living room was complete with a leather couch, a couple plush seats, and a brick fireplace in the center. A patterned rug lay sprawled out in the center with images of elks and a mountain range woven within the markings. The attached kitchen was attractive as well, lots of space, clean.
She half wanted to run, half wanted to stay here forever. While she could do without the antlers and the stench of machismo, Holly fell in love with wide windows that nearly swallowed the two flanking walls and the arched wood-beam ceiling.
Jacob pointed out the kitchen, the bathroom, and finally the bedroom, but didn’t go in it himself. Didn’t want to seem pushy, maybe, or just couldn’t trust himself alone in that room with her.
“This is my favorite part,” he said, beaming, as he took her back out onto the porch.
“I can see why,” she murmured. The view was breathtaking. She could see the full view of the ranch, the blue mountains in the distance, and sky. So much sky. Here, the stars weren’t dimmed by the overbearing city lights but roamed freely over the inky black instead. She felt awe wash over her, the kind of sensation she only got from losing herself in a truly good story.
“This is all yours,” he said. “I’ll be staying just down the road at my Ma’s while you get settled in. You’ve got my number if you need anything.”
She nodded and tried not to look disappointed that he wouldn’t be here with her. The view, the fireplace, it was all positively romantic. Then again, she had to appreciate the gentlemanly gesture to give her not only the bed, but also the whole damn house.
“Thanks,” she said.
He walked to his truck, opening the door up again. “So where do we go from here?” she asked, hugging her camisole over her chest.
He leaned against the truck door. “Well. This place is yours for a week. At the end of the week, I’ll buy you a ticket back. Unless you decide you wanna stay.”
His eyes locked on hers. The way he proposed marriage—like it was something simple, an easy choice—made her blush. This was all moving so fast and yet he seemed completely unfazed. She nodded and then said, “I’d like to take all seven days to decide. Thanks.”
“Suit yourself,” he said. He took a step forward, caught her chin in his hand, and tilted it up. The next thing she knew, his lips were on hers. Her breath caught in her throat and she felt restless bird wings flutter around her chest. His kiss was rough, demanding, stubborn, and she found herself melting into it, the warmth from his mouth blossoming in her ribcage, her stomach, and down. She curled both hands in front of her, doing her best to keep them from wandering, and she felt his hand cup the side of her face. His breath pattered warm against her cheek as he sighed.
After what seemed like a decade and still not long enough, he peeled back with a smile. “For the record, I hope you say yes.”
She (somehow) managed to hold his gaze. Her hands still wrapped around her chest, fingers clinging. “Yes. Well. Seven days is a long time to hold your breath.”
“Tell me about it.” He smirked. “You want me to me to keep you company a little longer?” Cocky. How was he so cocky? She wanted to shake him, tell him this was an important decision and they were crazy for rushing into it…
And at the same time, she wanted to I do, do, do him in the back of his truck.
She kept her composure. Smiled. “I should rest. Shower. Thank you for the picnic.”
“Pleasure’s all mine.” He stepped back to his car, tipped his hat. “Probably a good idea. You need your energy for tomorrow.”
The smugness in his eyes made the back of her neck prickle. “Tomorrow?”
He nodded. “You think I’m bad? Wait till you meet the rest of the clan.”