Page 84 of Double Booked

“Me too,” said Eden.

“Hope?” Ty said, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

“I suppose,” she replied, avoiding his gaze.

Cole smiled, sensing the chemistry between them, despite Hope’s resistance. They mounted their horses and began the descent, all of them tired yet invigorated from the experience.

As they rode, Cole reflected on everything that had transpired here. Every moment he and Eden spent together brought them closer, and their closeness was spreading outward to include their families. It was amazing and just as awe-inspiring as the gorgeous place in which they’d met. He couldn’t wait to see what the future had in store for them, and maybe Ty and Hope, too.

After returning to the stable and dismounting, they thanked Emily, and Eden promised to write a review on the ranch’s website. Then they climbed into Cole’s car and drove away, each recounting the experience in their own way.

“That was awesome,” Eden gushed. “It was even more fun than I thought it would be.”

“I got some great photos,” Cole said.

“I showed that horse who was boss,” Ty said proudly.

“My butt hurts,” Hope said for the umpteenth time.

All in all, it was a perfect day.

Twenty-Seven

Eden was a hotbed of emotions. Today, her sister was leaving, and she was meeting Cole’s dad. Cole and Ty went off on a morning hike so the sisters could spend some time together before they left for Denver. The foursome was meeting Robert for lunch before Ty and Hope went to the airport to catch their flights home.

“Are you nervous about today?” Hope asked as she tucked her toiletries bag into her suitcase.

Eden held out her trembling hands. “You could say that.”

“Maybe you just drank too much coffee,” Hope teased.

“I barely ate or drank anything this morning,” she said.

Hope zipped up her suitcase and sat on the bed beside Eden. “It’s not like you to be this nervous.”

“I just want him to like me, you know.”

Hope squeezed her hand. “Everybody likes you. If anyone gives off a bad impression, it’ll be me.”

Eden chuckled. “Try to keep your sparring with Ty to a minimum.”

“Sparring? It’s more like full-on disdain.”

“I don’t believe that,” Eden argued. “I’ve seen the way you two look at each other. You’re not fooling anyone, except maybe yourselves.”

Hope shook her head. “It will not happen, sis. Sorry to disappoint you.”

Eden thought Hope was the one who looked disappointed.

“Maybe if we’d had more time together, something might have come of it,” Hope conceded.

“Cole’s coming to visit me in a few weeks. Maybe Ty can come too.”

Hope shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe.”

“Why don’t you ask him?”

“Why are you so set on this?”