Maria’s no longer sure she wants Clint as “just a friend.” Enjoy this sneak peek from my new release–she’s hoping for a kiss! Will she get it?
Then it would be done, and he would have no reason to extend his stay. There’d be no unexpected moments to look forward to. Indigo Bay suddenly seemed a lot less exciting without the prospect of him being around.
“I’m free for dinner tomorrow. Want to go out somewhere with me before my flight? It would be an early supper, since I’ll be leaving Charleston at nine.”
“Like on a date?” Maria asked.
“If you’d like it to be.”
She considered that idea for a second, before retorting quickly, “Would you?”
“I believe you know my intentions, Maria.” His hand settled over hers.
Oh, there it was. He wasn’t going to allow this to remain light and fun. He wanted something big and real.
“I’ve been admiring you for many years,” Clint said, his fingers tracing hers.
“We hardly know each other.” She took her hand away to busy herself with packing up the last of their lunch.
“I know plenty about you.” When she gave him a look of disbelief, he continued, “I know you’re patient and kind. You care about your community and friends. You’re the glue that holds your family together, and you always put family first.”
She nodded in agreement. That was what a dutiful ranching wife did. Farm and family first. His words could have described nearly every hardworking ranching woman in Texas.
She waved her hand. “Everyone knows that.”
“Something more personal then?”
She dared him to cross the line, breathlessly waiting to hear what he would offer.
He hesitated, and she feared he couldn’t think of something special and uniquely her. Had he stopped to think and realized that her entire existence could be filled by anyone?
With one arm along the back of the bench, Clint hitched himself closer. He pushed a piece of hair off her face, securing it behind her ear, then kept his hand there, cupping her cheek. His voice was low, his body blocking them off from the world. Now it was just the two of them, nobody else.
“I know that when you’re feeling like your whole world is being rocked by a tsunami, you grow quiet.
That’s when you show your greatest strengths. That’s when you step in and make things better for everyone else.”
Oh, how she hoped he’d kiss her. Right here. Right now. Forget tomorrow or even five minutes from now.
She wanted that kiss. She wanted to be recognized and held and cherished by this man who was bringing tears to her eyes.
Keep reading to find out what happens between Maria and Clint!
Continue reading Sweet Joymaker! Now available:
(paperback also available)
