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    She’d received a call on her cell from someone at Nirvana earlier that morning, letting her know that she would be picked up at eleven A.M.. She’d had no clue that being picked up was part of the package, but it did take some of the strain off her shoulders not having transportation to worry about.
    If only the butterflies would stop tickling her insides.
    The knock came on the door and she anxiously scanned the room to make sure she’d gotten everything. She held the doorknob, took a deep breath, and pulled it open.
    A poster was held high, and it read, “Welcome Cara!” She smiled at the sweet touch. The board dropped and a tall, slender cowboy with deep dimples and twinkling eyes greeted her. His brown cowboy hat was pushed back high on his forehead and he was smiling from ear to ear.
    “And you must be Cara,” he said in a deep twang.
    Swallowing against the constriction in her throat, she moistened her lips. She had half the mind to turn and run—fast, but her feet wouldn’t move. Here it goes. “Yes, I’m Cara.”
    “Well, howdy, ma’am.” He tipped his hat and winked. “I’m Dade. I’m here to take you to Nirvana.”
    Cara showed him her bag and as he gathered it to take it outside, she allowed herself a moment to stare. The sparkling eyes and dimples didn’t do him any harm, but she wondered how old he was. Early twenties? But she doubted no older than twenty-five. Her misbehaving mind wandered to the cowboy from last night. Tall, dark, and mysterious. She’d gotten her wish and had a toe-curling dream about him that had her muscles still weak through breakfast. But today was a new day and she needed to put Mr. Mysterious from her thoughts and concentrate on her future.
    “Is that all, ma’am?”
    “Just this one, but I can get it.” She motioned to the small case she was holding in a tight grip.
    “That’s my job. Let me take that.” He reached for the piece of luggage.
    “Oh, that’s okay. I’ve got—“ But he already had it in his hand. “Thank you.” There was a slight quiver to her voice and she hoped he didn’t hear it. The last thing she needed was to bomb this right out of the gate. This was her chance to be brave. No one knew of her past, no one to judge her. She was on vacation and that meant she needed to relax.
    “No thank you needed. I wasn’t given these muscles just for looks.” His smile seemed to grow by inches. She liked him and could guess that he was a hit with the ladies. What was funny, he made her want to smile too. “Now right this way.” He gestured for her to lead.
    Cara wouldn’t deny that she was flattered by his sweet character, but like he said, it was his job. She’d never had a man—not even James—offer to take her bags to help her.
    Dade’s kindness didn’t end there.
    He opened the passenger car door for her and, once she was settled into the leather seat of the SUV, she scanned the luxurious interior. “Nice ride,” she said when he slid behind the steering wheel.
    “Yeah. This beauty is top of the line.” He smoothed his hand along the crème colored dashboard. “Wish she was mine.” He wagged his thick brows.
    He started the engine and pulled away from the hotel. She placed her hands in her lap and clasped them tightly to hide the shaking. She hadn’t been this close to a man in so long that she felt like a teenager on her first date.
    “No reason to be nervous, ma’am. No one at the ranch will bite you, unless you ask, of course.” He chuckled.
    She snuck a peek at his profile. He was kidding—he had to be kidding. Biting? Her heart beat heavily and her palms turned sweaty. “I don’t think I’ll ask for a bite.”
    “You might. Never say never.” He turned the car onto the highway and the engine purred as it picked up speed.
    “No, I’m sure—“ She cleared her throat. “—uhh—that’s not what happens there, right?” She wasn’t sure how else to phrase it.
    He shot her a glance across the seat. “No.