Her unexpected Cowboy-Chapter 7

Madison retreated to her room to change–and try to get her racing heart under control. She was going out, on a date, with Callum Cody. She wondered if she had enough willpower to keep her hands off him at least until after they ate dinner. She stifled a giggle and got to work looking for something date–worthy to wear. Needless to say, dinner with a gorgeous man had been the farthest thing from her mind when she’d been packing for this trip, but she finally managed to come up with some nicer jeans and a purple top with a hint of ruffle. She added some silver jewelry and some purple espadrilles to complete the outfit, and brushed her hair.
When she walked back into the living room, more Codys had appeared—Elly and her brothers. A whistle of appreciation drew her attention to Dusty.
“I think I’m in love,” he said.
“I’d hate to have to teach you some manners,” Callum said, sounding possessive, but not in a scary way. No, that hint of “my woman” in his words made her go all warm and eager all over.
Laughter filled the room, and Dex punched his twin, Dusty, playfully in the arm.
“Ignore these idiots and go have fun,” Elly said. “We’ll keep Jason busy.”
Madison scanned the room and noticed the cards on the dining–room table. “What’s going on?” With all Jason’s issues the past several months, the last thing he needed was to start gambling.
“Don’t worry, we’re playing for peanuts,” Elly said.
“Literally.” Dex held up an industrial–size can of peanuts.
Callum placed his hand on her back and urged her toward the door. He leaned close to her ear. “Stop worrying. He won’t get in any trouble.”
Madison took a deep breath and gave herself over to a night for herself.
Callum held her hand in the dark of the truck’s cab as he drove. She hoped he couldn’t feel how rapid her pulse was. It had been so long since she’d been out on a date. Since her parents’ death, she’d had no time for anything but Jason and work. It felt so good, so right to have a night where she could indulge in what she wanted.
And she wanted Callum Cody.
As they rolled into Markton, the tiny town nearest the Cottonwood Ranch, an odd sense of rightness came over her. This couldn’t be any more different than Phoenix, and yet it called to her. Maybe it was that the quiet, laid–back, peaceful atmosphere was such a balm after the past tumultuous months.
Callum pulled into the crowded parking lot next to the Sagebrush Diner. “Here we are, Markton’s finest dining. Unless you want to go into Cody for something a little nicer.”
“No, this is great.”
Callum looked across the truck at her. “You do know I’m going to kiss you again before this night is through, don’t you?”
Anticipation surged through her body, tempting her to tell him they should just skip dinner and go right to…dessert.
Feeling a bit braver than she had in a long time, she leaned toward him. “I’m going to hold you to that.” Then with a laugh she pulled back and got out of the truck.
He caught up with her before she stepped up on the wooden porch of the restaurant. He wrapped his arm around her waist before opening the door for her.
“You have to let me get doors for you or they’ll take away my cowboy chivalry badge.”
“Well, we can’t have that.” A smile seemed to take possession of her face, and she welcomed it with open arms.
After they slipped into a booth, Madison looked around at the rustic, western décor. The obvious locals hanging out at the square bar in the middle of the restaurant.
“I know it’s not fancy like what you have in Phoenix,” Callum said.
“Are you kidding? I love it. It’s got way more personality than some fancy place.”
When the waitress finished taking their order, Callum reached across the table and took her hand. She let him, loving the feel of his warm palm, the roughness of his honest work calluses against her skin. Her face heated when she thought about those hands running over other parts of her body.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked. He didn’t miss anything.
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
“I don’t believe you.”
She met his eyes and got the distinct impression he was thinking about the same thing. Suddenly, it was very hard to sit still, to not squirm. Even when she’d been on dates before no one had ever affected her the way Callum did, and not so quickly. Something about him made her believe being cautious wasn’t always a good idea.
…
Somehow he would make it through this dinner despite the fact all he wanted to do was take Madison back to his place and make love to her all night long. He’d never been one for romantic notions, for believing in love at first sight, in settling down and having a family. But Madison Gray had changed all that, had him thinking about things like happily ever after. He was falling for her, and falling hard. Not smart when she wasn’t staying.
Unless he could convince her to stay.
“How’s the work on the book coming?” he asked.
“Great. I’m really getting excited about it. There’s such a rich history there.”
“I bet there are lots of things you could write about around here.”
She met his eyes, and it was so good to see they were bright with excitement instead of filled with hurt and exhaustion.
“You’re probably right.”
Throughout dinner, they talked about his days riding bareback on the rodeo circuit, her teaching, how Jason was getting the hang of ranch life.
“I can’t thank you enough for whatever you’ve done,” she said. “I’m just stunned by how quickly I’ve seen a change in Jason. I mean, I don’t fool myself. We still have a long way to go, but at least he’s not biting my head off anymore.”
“Maybe it’s just timing. One of those steps in the grieving process.”
“Maybe.” She stared down at her empty plate. “You know, I can still remember every word of the phone call when I found out Mom and Dad had been killed by the thugs of some warlord. They were there trying to help feed people, and they were killed over a few bags of grain.”
Callum squeezed her hand but didn’t know what to say to make it better. Maybe nothing would. “I’m sorry.”
She shook off the melancholy. “At least they were doing what they believed in. That gives me some comfort.” Madison squeezed his hand back. “I’m in the mood for a walk. Want to give me the grand tour of your metropolis?”
He paid the check and escorted her into the cool night. When she rubbed her bare arms, he went to the truck and retrieved his denim jacket for her.
“Thanks.”
He took her hand because he couldn’t bear not touching her. By the time he’d shown her everything Markton had to offer, holding her hand wasn’t enough. He tugged her off the sidewalk into the darkness next to the closed Markton Feed and Grain store.
“If I don’t kiss you, I’m going to explode.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “Then kiss me, cowboy.”