Bachelor Cowboy. Patricia Knoll

      With a laugh, Shannon locked the truck after she grabbed her gloves, her lunch and the two-liter bottle of water she’d brought. She could see that his truck was already loaded with tools, cedar posts, staples and wire. Afraid that he might change his mind and decide to leave without her in spite of what he had said, she dashed after him.

      When she arrived at the truck in a rush, he glanced up. “Did you think I’d leave without you?”

      Color flared into her cheeks, but her eyes sparkled at him as she opened the truck door. “Considering how reluctant you are to take me along, yes. Just remember, you invited me.”

      “I remember.”

      “Don’t try to back out of it.”

      “Let’s hope you figure out pretty quick that I’m a man of my word, or our future dealings won’t be worth much.”

      Future dealings? That was a big jump from the way he’d shown her the door the last time she’d called. Shannon gave him a swift glance and wondered if he realized what he’d said.