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Her stoht of Carter She hadn’t seen him since the day he’d squared off with her father Which hy laboring excessive hours at the diner hadn’t bothered her She needed distance and time to think about what’d happened

Contrary to what other people thought, she hadn’t been mad at Carter for what he’d done She’d been upset by the fact he’d cared enough about her welfare to challenge her father In front of everyone, his fa hurt Or dying

Dying

She’d never had a man worry about her for any reason, let alone for her personal safety It was cool It eird

It was confusing as hell

So, Macie didn’t know if she was supposed to throw herself at Carter in gratitude for his protective instincts Or take her father’s side for his

Talk about riding the o-round ’til it made her dizzy

And that didn’t even take into consideration the L-word

Macie was pretty sure she loved Carter But how did she really know for sure? She had absolutely nothing in her life to gauge it by

Loving herto love her dad

The skeptic reminded her she’d known Carter McKay for a little over two months

How could she possibly love him?

Didn’t love take time to build? Did she think she loved Carter because of the incredible sex? Because he understood her? Because he cal? Because he went out of his way to share silly and sweet things with her? Because he showed her sides of hiht she was beautiful and worthy of his art?

Or did she think she loved him strictly because he’d paid attention to her? When he’d made that same accusation to her father, it caused a ricochet effect, and the opposite reaction fro herher dad, Macie questioned her motives and actions where Carter was concerned

Which always led back to the "Do I love him?" question Or a scarier scenario: What would she do if Carter told her he loved her? What would he expect? That she’d follow him while he lived his dream? What about her dreams? Would Carter be ready toquestion? Was she prepared to give up the relationship she was establishing with her dad, for the ups and downs of ro for her?

"Macie?"

Her head snapped up and she looked at Veline Well, I don’t want to add to that burden, but I’ to fire her?

"Don’t look at me like that, squirt It ain’t nothin’ bad I’ve been crunching some numbers, and I think I can afford to hire another part-ti; how’s that affect ht out: I want you to stay in Canyon River Part of the reason--well, most of it actually--is pure selfishness on my part I like you I like what you’ve done for this place on a number of levels The other part is: I think you like it here--at the diner and in Canyon River--

and you need an excuse to put down roots Or at least you need a reason to try to put down roots" Vellasses "You ain’t never had what ranted I know you’re curious on whether it’s worth it, or if it’d be just another heartache I look in those pretty hazel eyes and I see wisdoed to s the last of her beer over the lu in her throat

"Here’s what I propose: I’ll pay you a decent salary You’ll be the head cook, and we’llall shifts"

"You wantbreakfast, lunch and dinner?"

"No, I’ood recipes and sunny personality around all the main meals On my days off, I’d want you out front doin’the help? I’m so all over that"

Vele I think it’s soh that if after a year it don’t work out, you can , apparently But I need to think about it Not just a couple of days, but a couple of weeks, okay?"

"Sure thing You’ll still be workin’ here while you’re tryin’ to make a decision?"

"Yeah And I’d appreciate it if we could keep this between us Just us There’s already a million pros and cons intheir opinion"

"Consider it done And remember, I always close down for ten days at the end of this ear up for the fall"

As Macie drove back to the Bar 9, she knew Velma’s offer co a clear solution

When she reached for the door handle to the camper, she noticed a piece of paper taped by theHer heart beat hard as she unrolled the scroll

At the top was a sketch of a rodeo clown Crying as a bull, which looked suspiciously like a caricature of her father, gored him in the butt The words I’M SORRY

took up the entire e Below that, he’d written: I et home, doesn’t s And have pie A helping of humble pie for est time She whispered, "Carter McKay, you are such a duht then, she had no doubts that she was indeed, completely, madly in love with him

Chapter Thirty-two

"Excuseartist in residence, Carter

‘shoulda been a cowboy’ McKay?"

Carter spun around and grinned "Jack! You bastard ’Bout godda in Denver anymore and I had to fly in? I’ve been stuck in the rental car for five hours Without satellite radio" He dropped his duffel bag and scowled "Can you please tellbut that goat yodeling crap?"