A Wife in Wyoming

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“Sounds delicious.” She came to the table and took the stack of bowls. “I didn’t know you could cook.”

“Ford did most of the cooking before he went off to college.” Garrett walked in, carrying glasses and silverware. “He figured out menus all of us would eat without getting bored. After working at the feed store, he came home and made dinner every night. We’ve never eaten so well since.”

She nodded, smiling. “That’s impressive.”

Ford’s face heated up at the simple compliment. “Yeah, but I hate grocery shopping.”

Caroline shook her head. “See, I don’t mind that part. I just make a list and speed through. I’ll even put it all away when I get home. But when I come in at night, the last thing I want to do is make a mess in the kitchen.” She shrugged, and he noticed her pretty shoulders in the sleeveless dress. “I end up eating cereal and bananas more often than not.”

“Not much of a dinner.” He was setting plates around the table, going in the opposite direction as Caroline until suddenly they stood side by side. They both moved back, laughing, and Caroline stepped forward to slide by, but somehow there wasn’t quite enough room in front of the table, and their bodies brushed together, her back to his front, as she moved across. Ford sucked in a breath, only to catch the scent she was wearing, flowers with a hint of musk. He couldn’t remember when he’d last thought a woman smelled so good.

“I’m starving.” Dylan came in from the living room. “When do we eat?”

“When you put on a clean shirt.” Garrett nodded at the dust and dirt he’d worked in all day. “We have company tonight, remember?”

Caroline shrugged. “Don’t bother on my account.”

Dylan held up a hand. “No, he’s right. I’ll jog down to the studio. Won’t take a minute.”

Grateful for the distraction, Ford escaped to the kitchen. He’d strategically set Caroline’s place between Wyatt and Garrett, so it was Garrett who pulled out her chair. By the time Dylan returned, dinner was served, and Ford was able to sit down at a safe distance from their guest.

Which was when he discovered that he was placed directly across from her and would see her every time he looked up from his plate. He watched as she smiled at Wyatt, at Garrett and Dylan, heard her parry his youngest brother’s flirtatious comments and witnessed, again, her excitement as she and Garrett and Wyatt discussed the plans for the kids. Even when she was giving serious thought to a suggestion, light danced in her eyes, like a smile biding its time. Ford barely managed to finish half of his one bowl of chili.