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 hearing what JW had to say to 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 to 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. The palm of my hands are slick with sweat and I rub them down the fabric of my high waisted wide leg turquoise pants. I paired the outfit with a pair of 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 Sprits. Please and thank you," I take my seat. 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 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, three flavors, cherry, chocolate marble, and of course plain.

"You're welcome, would you like a water as well too?" 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 have set in my stomach like a lead weight, making me feel like all of the random orders, slight touches, or looks that had me flushing from my cheeks to my chest. One sentence took it all away, "She's pretty, makes great cinnamon rolls, but she's too innocent for me." All of 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 and 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, girl code is one thing. Family is another entirely. Believe me, I understand the concept entirely. I'm close to my parents and siblings, we have Sunday dinners, have a massive group text where we all check-in daily. My two older sisters worry more than our mom and dad do. They're currently tracking my location and are making sure I send them a text right away if the vibe feels off. I'm what you call an oops baby, Michelle is thirteen years older than me, and Madison is fifteen years older than me. They know what's going on, our parents do not. My sisters may be protective, dad is 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, my chair pushing back and only by sheer luck does it not slide back into another table. While I once thought it was cool the chairs were on rollers, I'm now second guessing the idea entirely with my almost mishap.

"Hi, I am. It's a pleasure to meet you," Blonde 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 where's boots. I'm already re-thinking this whole date thing when we shake hands.

No spark.

No tingling.

No clinching of my thighs together.

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 myself.

"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 are married with kids yet living vicariously through their baby sisters. All their advice has gone out the window now that we're face to face.

"A cosmo," my eyes meet Debbie's. She has a straight poker face meanwhile I'm having to swallow my sip of drink as fast as possible in fear I'll choke. JW would never order a fruity type of drink, he's a beer drinker through and through. The Johnson brothers have the same taste when it comes to alcohol. Only Trey likes to dabble in the hard stuff and pull the others in with him on a bet.

"Of course, I'll be right back with your order. The menus are on the table, today's chef special is mini crab cakes, cowboy lobster bisque, and bison flank steak." My mouth waters at 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 know I'm a baker, 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 that feel they need to disturb the comfortable quietness 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 every drink. Their attention to detail, good food, and excellent service makes the restaurant one of the busiest in our town.

"Interesting," Clayton says something else. I nod my head at appropriate times meanwhile my gaze is caught on the man who just walked through the door of Prime Cuts. Is Mercury in Gatorade or something? He's tall, built from his time on the ranch and farriering horses. Arm muscles that are literal porn and my god his back. I've only seen him in a tight fitted cotton shirt, I can't even imagine him without one. Okay, fine, I can, and I have. I'm sure it doesn't do him any justice either.

Tonight, JW is wearing a pearl snap button down shirt, jeans, boots, and a black cowboy hat. A far cry from what 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 that shies away this time, it's none other than JW. I lose his deep sky-blue eyes and while I try 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 away from JW. I'm not sure anyone can.

"Excuse me Clayton, I'll be right back. I've got to use the restroom," I go to stand up, Clayton does similar. He has manners, 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.