Free After the Storm: Clean Historical Western Cowboy Romance Novel (Dawson Chronicles Book 2) by Linda Bridey Page A

other world for him, too.”
                  “Jasmine has a crush on him,” Tim said.  “She keeps making Hunter sit somewhere else so Art can sit by her.”
                  “That’s so sweet,” Renee said.  “And so was you sending me flowers.  Thank you so much.”
                  “You’re welcome.”
                  Being with Tim was always so easy, just like it was that evening.  There were never any awkward silences and they had plenty to laugh about.  He never failed to ask about her day and he was genuinely interested.
                  As they finished dessert, Renee asked, “Would you like to see my humble abode?”
                  “I’d love to.”
     
    *****
     
                  Renee let them in.  “I didn’t think about it being dark in here.  Well, at least it’s empty so there’s nothing to trip over.  It won’t be a long tour since there’re only the three rooms and a tiny water closet.”
                  “There’s enough moonlight,” he said.  “The kitchen is a decent size.”
                  “Yes.  I was surprised.  I was expecting it to barely have enough room to turn around in,” she said.  “And there’s a pantry, too.  I know that’s probably not very important to you, but it is to me.”
                  He smiled.  “It would be if I was moving into my own place.  You have to have somewhere to put food.”
                  “You’d have to know how to cook first,” she said.
                  “I know how to cook.  I asked Cora to show me some things.”
                  “Really?  I didn’t know that.”
                  Tim said, “I’ll cook for you sometime.”
                  “I accept,” Renee said. 
                  They finished looking around.
                  “It’s a nice apartment, Renee.  I’ll be happy help you paint,” he said.
                  “You’re full of surprises.  I didn’t know you know how to paint, either,” she said.
                  “Yep.  Construction, painting, wallpapering, all kinds of stuff like that,” Tim said.  He held out a hand to her.  “May I have the honor of having the first dance in your new home with you?”
                  “I’d be delighted,” Renee said, moving into his arms.
                  It didn’t matter that there was no music as they waltzed around the small parlor.  They could imagine the music in their heads and she followed his lead.  Watching Renee’s beautiful face in the moonlight, Tim thought he’d never get tired of looking at her.  She was graceful and her lush body in his arms tantalized his senses.
                  After what seemed an appropriate length of time for a song, Tim halted.  “Thanks for the dance, honey.”
                  “Thank you,” she said.
                  Their eyes met and held.  Tim tipped her chin up a little, dipping his head to brush his lips against hers.  She didn’t pull away from him, so he did it again, only a little firmer this time.  Her lips were even softer than they looked and tasted of the wine they’d drunk at dinner.  He put his arms around her waist, pulling her closer.
                  No one had ever kissed Renee like Tim did, so softly, and it was incredibly seductive.  He coaxed and asked instead of demanding.  She put her arms around his neck and he tightened his hold on her a little.  Still, he silently asked and she answered in the affirmative by becoming slightly more aggressive.
                  Tim let her set the pace, willing to follow where she led.  Even as the kiss deepened, he took his time, enjoying every second of what he hoped would be the first of many kisses they would share.  It