Phoenix Maplewood Cowboys and Angels

Once they had arrived at a stop, the girl took a moment to compose herself. Reno offered her the privacy of an averted gaze. His eyes traced the terrain, charted courses in his mind. There was a lot to be learned from the land. When she turned an affectionate touch on him, the cowboy worried. He did not move from the gentleness of it. The gesture had only lasted for a moment. Perhaps, he had misunderstood. The girl’s emotions were high…

Amalia thanked him for the run, saying that she needed it.

’Course, miss. Whatever helps, Reno offered in as gentle of a grunt as he could manage. Talk of emotion had never been his strong suit. He’d only ever muddled his way through most exchanges like that. Try as he might, the man’s exterior was as prickly as a cactus. There was a chance that Amalia could see what lingered underneath his roughness.

Where’ll ya go?