Prologue

PROLOGUE

MAEVE

One Month Earlier

"What did I get myself into now?" I mumble the words under my breath as the hostess leads me to the table. I'm on a date. I can't believe I pulled the trigger. An online dating app lured me in late one night after I heard what JW told his brothers. Yeah, let's just say it set tonight in motion. I never thought dropping off cinnamon rolls to the big lug along with a few other sweet treats for the Johnson ladies would result in me leaving the ranch as fast as my feet could take me.

"Here's your table. Can I get you a drink while you wait?" I pull my chair out and take my seat. The palms of my hands are slick with sweat, so I rub them down the fabric of my high-waisted wide-leg turquoise pants. I paired the outfit with woven straw wedges and a floral thin-strapped blouse. The best part of these pants is you can dress them up or down. A band tee with a pair of Chucks, and you're good to go.

"Yes, an Aperol Spritz. Please and thank you." The steakhouse here in Arrowleaf is excellent. They have great food and great drinks. They also have amazing desserts, if I do say so myself. Whisked Away supplies them with desserts on a daily basis. Yesterday, it was chocolate cake, chocolate on chocolate and stored in the fridge because there is nothing better than a cold piece of cake on a hot summer day. Today's special is cheesecake in three flavors—cherry, chocolate marble, and of course plain.

"You're welcome. Would you like a water as well?" I nod in response, my thoughts a million miles away from where they should be, replaying the reason I'm here in the first place. His words settled in my stomach like a lead weight, making me feel like all his random orders, slight touches, or looks that had me flushing from my cheeks to my chest were nothing but lies. One sentence took it all away. "She's pretty, makes great cinnamon rolls, but she's too innocent for me." All my hopes and dreams of being JW Johnson's went out like a light. I left the cinnamon rolls and other pastries on the counter and quietly left the ranch. That was two weeks ago. It was also when I took the plunge to create an online dating profile.

You see, Tully, Birdie, and Juni may know how I feel about him, but they don't know how JW feels about me. I didn't say a word about what I'd heard. Girl code is one thing, but family is another entirely. Believe me, I understand the concept all too well.

I'm close to my parents and siblings. We eat Sunday dinners together and have a massive group text where we all check in daily. My two older sisters worry more about me than our mom and dad do. They're currently tracking my location and made sure I knew to text them right away if the vibe was off. I'm what you'd call an ‘oops' baby. Madison is thirteen years older than me, and Michelle fifteen years. They know what's going on. Our parents do not. My sisters may be protective, but Dad can be next level, and Mom has no problem showing her claws when necessary.

"Hello there, you must be Maeve. I'm Clayton," my date says, drawing me out of my stupor. I stand up to greet him, pushing my chair back, and only by sheer luck does it not slide into another table. While I once thought it was a cool deal to have chairs on rollers, I'm now second-guessing the idea entirely with my almost mishap.

"Hi, I am. It's a pleasure to meet you." Blond hair, brown eyes, a clean-shaven face, and a smile. Clayton is the exact opposite of JW in every way possible. Polo shirt to JW's usual cotton shirt, khakis compared to jeans, and loafers whereas the object of my unwanted affection wears boots. I'm already re-thinking this whole date thing while shaking his hand.

No spark.

No tingling.

No clinching my thighs together to relieve an ache.

Nothing.

I take my hand back, slyly rubbing my hand on my pants yet again. Clayton isn't giving off creep vibes. He's just not doing anything for me.

"Hi, I'm Debbie, and I'll be your server tonight," the waitress says as she places my water and Aperol Spritz on the table. Thankfully breaking the awkward silence between Clayton and me.

"Thank you," I say.

"What can I get for you?" She's looking at Clayton, giving me ample time to drink some liquid courage. Michelle and Madison gave me a few pointers to keep the conversation flowing, each of them married with kids and yet living vicariously through their baby sister. All their advice has gone out the window now that we were face to face.

"A cosmo." My eyes meet Debbie's. She has a straight poker face, whereas I have to swallow a sip of my drink as fast as possible in fear I'll choke with laughter. JW would never order a fruity drink. He's a beer drinker through and through. The Johnson brothers have the same taste when it comes to alcohol. Beer in the form of Snake River Pale Ale . Only Trey likes to dabble in the hard liquor though he could pull the others in with a bet.

"Of course. I'll be right back with your order. The menus are on the table. Today's chef specials are mini crab cakes, cowboy lobster bisque, and bison flank steak." My mouth waters just thinking of that cowboy lobster bisque along with their wedge salad. I could also eat my weight in their warm bread lathered in butter.

"So, Maeve, tell me about yourself." Clayton picks up the conversation once Debbie leaves the table. The only problem is we've done the small talk via the dating app. He knows I'm a baker. I know he's a real estate agent, lives a few towns over, and is looking for a wife to settle down with. Yep, the app is nothing if not thorough.

"You already know I'm a baker. I own a bakery and enjoy coming up with new desserts. I have two older sisters, and I've grown up here in Arrowleaf." Small talk is not my forte. I'm more of a sit-back-and-observe type of person. A lot can be said with little to no words. It's others who feel they need to disturb the comfortable quiet with talking.

"Any chance you'd be willing to move away?" I slide my drink toward me. Something tells me I'm going to need more than one to get through this dinner.

"Nope, I'll never leave Arrowleaf. This is my home. My business is here, and so is my family." My lips wrap around the cute straw Prime Cuts uses with their drinks. Their attention to detail, good food, and excellent service makes the restaurant one of the busiest in our town.

"Interesting," Clayton says, moving on to something else. I nod my head at appropriate times. Then my gaze catches the man who just walked through the door. Is Mercury in Gatorade or something? He's tall and built from his time working on the ranch and farriering horses. His arm muscles are literal porn, and my god, his back… I've only seen him in a tightly fitted cotton shirt. I can't even imagine him without one. Okay, fine, I can and I have though I'm sure it didn't do him any justice.

Tonight, JW is wearing a pearl snap button-down shirt, jeans, boots, and a black cowboy hat. A far cry from the man who's currently yammering about real estate booming around our state and how he's selling more property than ever. Clayton doesn't have my attention at all. My eyes are solely focused on a certain cowboy, and when our gazes clash, it's not me who shies away this time; it's JW. I lose his deep sky-blue eyes. While I've tried to shut down what I've felt for the big jerk, the task seems impossible. It's clear Clayton won't be the one to help keep my mind off JW. I'm not sure anyone can.

"Excuse me, Clayton, I'll be right back. I've got to use the restroom." I stand up, and Clayton does too. He has manners and seems like a nice guy, minus the fact he's not JW. He'd be perfect for someone who isn't me.

"Of course."

I grab my purse, knowing I'll be making a phone call to my sisters. I'm going to need them to help me escape this farce of a date and these damn feelings I have for JW Johnson.