She dragged in a breath. “Okay. I’ll bow to your wisdom. It’s probably a good idea.”
“I promise you it is. Let the concept settle in your mind and in your body. A week would be better, but we don’t have a week.”
“I couldn’t stand to wait that long, but I can handle one day. I assume you’ll tell Andy, though.”
“I will, but only him. And obviously you can tell Kieran, but… I advise you not to. Not until you’re sure. This means too much. You don’t want to tell him and then change your mind.”
“Sure don’t.” But not telling him would be extremely difficult, especially if they ended up alone today. She’d make sure that didn’t happen until tonight. Then all bets were off.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
“She hates me.” Kieran sent a ball sailing toward a pocket, then another one. He was getting the hang of this game, but then he’d used these two hours to practice while he waited for Rance to come home from the Buffalo.
“I guaran-damn-tee she doesn’t.” Rance only had a few minutes before he had to leave to get Sara. No time to test Kieran’s new skills.
“I know she doesn’t hate me. I just said that because I’m frustrated. She wouldn’t change her mind that fast. Right before lunch she looked at me like I was the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”
“Which is how she feels. Sure, you guys have some hurdles, but she’s crazy about you.”
“Then why did she work so bleedin’ hard this afternoon and evening making sure we were never alone? I couldn’t even get her alone to ask her why she didn’t want to be alone with me.”
Rance snorted.
“It’s not funny. I’m worried.”
“Sorry, but you should hear yourself. You’re sounding a little crazy.”
“I am a little crazy. After that adoring look, she went into the library to think. Then she acted like I had germs. I’m worried she came to some realization about me that I don’t want to hear.”
“Did she cancel tonight’s event?”
“No.”
“Then realization or no realization, she still craves your body. You can work with that.”
“Meaning what?”
“When she gets here, whatever you do, don’t ask her what’s wrong.”
“But I need ta know!”
“Do you really? Chances are it’ll freak you out or start a fight.”
“Thanks for putting that in my head.”
“Stay with me, here. You have a strong sexual connection, so you’re gonna lean into it. Make love to her like there’s no tomorrow and pray you’ll make her so happy she’ll forget whatever burr was under her saddle.”
He chuckled. “Burr under her saddle. I fancy that.”
“By all means take it. Work it into conversations. It’s a cowboyism.”
“A whatzit?”
“Anything that makes you think of cowboys. I made it up, but turns out it’s a word.”
“Cowboyism. I fancy that one, too.” He hit a combo and sent two balls into two different pockets. “I appreciate the advice, mate, but I’m gonna ask her what’s wrong.”
“Don’t do it, buddy. You’ll regret it. In fact, here’s your game plan. She pulls up — I’m sure she’ll be driving — and you go straight to the truck, help her out and hustle her in. If she tries to talk, kiss her.”
