“I’m surprised you weren’t more open-minded,” he says, tone warm but teasing. “You being such a worldly woman.”
“I didn’t mean to offend. I was making judgments based on what I experienced living in Colorado before.”
“You don’t have to explain,” Duke says. “We’ve all been judged for how we talk or how we don’t. The military drills a certain precision and polish into you. When you learn that words can defuse a situation or blow it sky-high, you pick them carefully.”
The insight catches me off guard. “Makes perfect sense. I know you’ve landed here, but you’ve been all over the world too.”
“That’s right. Most of us here have lived and trained around diverse teams, often including officers, diplomats, and allied forces. Those experiences don’t fade just because we’re in a quieter setting now.”
“Too true.” I glance at him with a smile.
“Don’t worry, we slip into our Western twangs here and there.”
“That’s a relief.” I chuckle and tuck a stray hair behind my ear. “But, I shouldn’t have kissed you like that, and again, I’m sorry.”
“I appreciate that, and you needn’t apologize since I’m the one who truly needs to say I’m sorry. I’ve been trying to rile you up since you arrived.”
“You’re good at it. Anyway, I assure you that … that kiss … it won’t happen again.” I barely get those words out because while my head agrees with what I’m saying, my body feels a little betrayed by the boundary I’m setting.
“You’re so sure it won’t happen again?” Duke says with a smirk.
“I’m positive. I don’t need anything clouding my judgment.” I continue to stare out into the pines while Duke faces the opposite direction and leans against the stone wall of the overlook.
“Besides,” I continue. “I’m only here for the summer. It’s best not to get involved with anyone when I have no intention of staying.”
Duke crosses his arms over his chest. “What if you fall in love with a handsome wrangler while you’re here?”
“Impossible.”
“Nothing is impossible when it comes to love, Trouble.”
I laugh. “Falling in love over the course of the summerisimpossible. It doesn’t happen like that.”
“Now I’m intrigued. Howdoesit happen?”
I rub my arms. “You know what? We’d better head back.”
“Too cold?” Duke asks.
“I’m fine,” I lie through a barely concealed shiver.
He doesn’t say anything, but a second later, I feel the shift in air as he slips out of his jacket. Before I can protest, he drapes it over my shoulders. His fingers barely brush my shoulder as he lets go, and it’s ridiculous how that quick touch manages to steal my breath.
“Thank you,” I say. I turn to walk back to the lodge feeling that if I don’t get back to my room, my newfound strength is going to completely dissolve.
“So,” he says.
“So what?”
“How do you think it happens … falling in love.”
Suddenly the constant song of the crickets seems to die downas if they’re listening. “It takes time. You start with three dates before you can assess if there should be physical contact.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Really? And then what happens?”
“Depending on the amount of chemistry and how good the physical contact is, you continue to date, meet parents, try shopping at IKEA and then if you survive all of that, you can determine if it’s right to cohabitate.”
Duke laughs. “Wow. You really have it down to a science. How far did the last man get?”
