Her exhale was quiet. “I’m sorry. It’s just that you have such a big heart. I hope he doesn’t break it.” She pushed off her stool and came around the counter. “You forgive me for being a pushy older sister?”
I hugged her. “I’ll be salty about it for a while.”
“I expect no less. Need help with anything? I’m not leaving until your man gets here.”
Headlights flashed out the window. I tucked my notebook away. “He’s here. I’ve gotta clean up yet.” I’d spent tonight chatting with customers and talking toSummer. “Thanks for staying with me.” Whenever Wynter and I worked the bar, the rest of the family watched over us so we weren’t alone. All the customers had gone by now.
The door opened and Gideon stepped inside. He was in one hundred percent cowboy mode. A lunch bag was tucked under one arm and a grocery bag hung from the same hand. He took off his cowboy hat. His gaze landed on me first and warmed. My belly flipped in response. Would I ever get used to his focus being on me? I’d been twined around this man last night and for so many nights before that, and I still couldn’t believe this was happening.
He glanced at Summer and gave her a nod, then his gaze was back on me.
I loved my sisters, but this never happened. A guy never gave me more attention than Summer, Junie, or Wynter. They never dismissed my sisters like Gideon did, like he absolutely had no interest in them.
“There it is,” Summer murmured, turning her back to Gideon as she gave me a quick hug. “Like he wants to eat you alive. That isn’t pretend.” She pulled back. “I’ll lock up on my way out.”
Gideon set the grocery bag on the counter. His water bottle was inside, but there was also an old-school green Stanley mug. He took it out. “Mae wanted to send some hot chocolate home. She said you like it for breakfast.”
I’d take Mama’s hot chocolate any time of day. “Did you eat yet?” My stomach rumbled. I’d eaten Mama’s leftovers for lunch today and that’d been hours ago.
“No. I figured you hadn’t either, so I asked your mom if I could take food to go.” He was subdued again, but he was still thoughtful. How could I not get too wrappedup in this guy? He didn’t have to hang out with me, but he chose to anyway.
“Long day?”
“No.” He continued to unload the containers of food Mama had packed. Fried chicken, a couple of twice-baked potatoes, and green beans she’d canned from the garden this summer. I had helped. “Today was easier than the rest, and all the cows are closer to home for the winter. I promised your mom I’d wash and return all the containers.”
Warmth settled deep in my bones. His respect for Mama only added to how much I wished there could be more between us. But like I’d told Summer, I had to be practical. “You know that’s her way of getting you back out there.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “You’d think she’d be tired of hosting everyone for a huge meal every night after babysitting all day.”
“No, she’s in her zone. She loves the chaos.” I grabbed a couple of plates from a little-used cabinet in the corner where we stored our holiday cups and glasses. It wasn’t unheard of to bring family parties to the bar after hours.
“I can’t imagine.”
“I’m sure your house was quieter than mine when you were young. I don’t think three sisters and I caused as much noise as three boys.”
He doled out food and I got us a glass of water.
As we ate, he told me about how he and Teller had had to stop and fix a flat on the horse trailer first thing this morning, and then how he’d found a calf with an issue in his hoof. He’d stayed with Tenor until the vet could get to them. When he talked, his voice was lightand his eyes danced, like when the kids at school would tell me about some cool thing they’d done over the weekend. Did he realize the way he talked about the last three days was vastly different than when he discussed his work with the casino?
When he mentioned Silver, he turned serious. Almost grim. Silver was nothing but business. There was no passion. Did he realize he’d rarely talked about Silver in the last week? The most he’d said was that he had to answer some emails or that he had a meeting he couldn’t get out of. He’d never chatted about his coworkers, and he definitely hadn’t brought up Taya.
We finished eating, and I started cleaning up. I ran soapy water into the sink, but when I turned, he took my place and started rolling up his sleeves.
“You’ve been working all day.” I still took the opportunity to admire his strong forearms.
“So have you, and you’ve been waiting on people all night.”
“It’s not bad. Wednesdays are regulars. Our neighbor Jason is nearly to the point where he pours his own drinks. He’ll even wipe the bar down if I turn my back on him.”
“Good. I’m glad you have customers like that.”
I got another rag and cleaned up the tables and the bar top.
“Wait on that. Sit.” He was almost done washing the containers.
“Why?”
The look he gave me was pure CEO. He didn’t want an argument. I took the stool I’d sat in to eat.
