Why not Wyoming? (Wyoming Wilds Series Book 1) by Anneliese Brand Page A

something out.”
    “That sounds promising.”
    “If I hadn’t promised you caffeine, I’d be carrying you back
upstairs now.”
    She grinned as the frustrated growl of his voice was followed
by one from his stomach.
    “Blame it on me if it makes you feel better.”
    CJ laughed, pulling her into a tight hug. He kissed the top of
her head.
    “Come on. We can decide what we’re going to do with our two
days over caffeine and food.”
     
     
    With the roads cleared, they’d taken the less adventurous
route to CJ’s house from the lodge. Annie had kind of missed dodging trees. Taking
her boots off, she wandered into the living room. With the animals cared for,
CJ had broken out the tractor to clear his driveway and suggested she wait
inside where it was warm. It felt more than a little weird to be let loose in
his home alone. She didn’t want to snoop, but couldn’t deny the curiosity was
there. Eyes drawn up to the loft, she wondered if his private space was as
presentable as the public areas.
    He’d confessed his mudroom and desk were a mess, what about his
bedroom? Was he one of those guys that at least flung his dirty laundry in the
general direction of the hamper, or did he let it fall where it would? She
glanced out the window. The long country drive was going to take some time to
plow. She bit her lip then shook her head. Would she want someone analyzing her
boudoir? The first time Finn had visited her in Grand Rapids, Annie had felt
the editor’s eyes crawling over every surface. It had been unnerving because
she knew how a writer’s mind worked.
    The kitchen, however, was a little different. Public domain. No
expectation of privacy there. Annie grinned, walking her fingers over the
countertop. Peeking in the side-by-side refrigerator and freezer raised an
eyebrow. The stovetop had a grill. Not exactly a surprise, but the appliance
looked higher end. His mom’s influence maybe. She paused when she spotted the
coffee maker. The sturdy machine was like the one that had graced the Brand
kitchen for years. She’d since updated to one of those fancy one cup jobbies
since she preferred cocoa or cappuccinos, but seeing the Bunn was like a little
slice of home as silly as it sounded.
    Opening the top cupboard to the right of the machine, she
predictably found the coffee and filters and set about starting a pot. It was
still early and CJ would be cold when he came in. There was something
comfortable about the mundane task. Her phone rang and she groaned. What now?
Her frown faded when she saw Finn’s freckled face. Speak of the devil.
    “Are they sicking you on me now?” she asked in lieu of a
greeting.
    “I was calling to find out if you’d survived the Wild West. What’d
you do now?”
    “Nothing.”
    “Too late for the innocent act now, kiddo. Spill it,” Finn
ordered, audibly taking a drag on her cigarette.
    Annie curled up on the end of the plush leather couch where she
could watch CJ out the front windows. Finn’s gravelly purr sounded like she
gargled with whiskey and razorblades. It drove her husband wild. They were the
cutest damn couple Annie had ever seen.
    “I didn’t come home from Wyoming.”
    “Did you find yourself a hot mountain man to shack up with?”
    “How’d you know he wasn’t a ski bum?”
    “Not your style, honey,” the other woman said dismissively.
“Tell me about him.”
    “He’s a hunting and fishing guide.”
    The bedroom purr came back saturated with suggestion and wicked
humor.
    “Ohh, a big game hunter!”
    Annie laughed. Even when they were fighting it out over commas
and purple prose, she never made it off the phone with Finn without her cheeks
and stomach muscles aching.
    “Come on. Details!”
    “Okay. Okay. His name is CJ. He’s six-footish, yummy shoulders,
burly, barrel chest, all solid, dark hair, beard, and the bluest eyes. Oh! And
dimples. He’s adorable, like a sexy teddy bear.”
    “He sounds scrumptious.”
    Annie nodded but waited for more.