“Then go ahead and stretch out, old man. I’ll be sure and avoid the potholes so I don’t disturb your rest.”
“Don’t tease the poor guy. He worked hard on Fudge.” She took Luis’s hand as he helped her into the front passenger seat.
First contact. The warmth of his firm grip traveled to every nerve in her body. She didn’t dare look at him. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure.”
She gulped. He’d said it on purpose. She just knew it. Now she was flushed and struggling with the seatbelt.
Monty climbed into the back seat and leaned forward. “Need help?”
“It’s okay. I’ve got it.” She shoved the tongue into the buckle. She’d have to be cooler than this once they rejoined the rest of the Bridger Bunch.
Luis swung up behind the wheel, closed his door and buckled up. When he started the engine, Kenny Chesney’s Take Her Home blasted from the speakers. He turned it down. “Way to break our eardrums, hermano.”
“I like it loud when I’m alone. Keeps me from dozing off. That’s also a good tune by the way. You could request that one tonight for a two-step.”
“We just might.” Luis flicked a glance her way. “We’ll see how it goes.” Putting the truck in reverse, he backed around and drove slowly out of the yard to the paved road they’d come in on.
He looked good behind the wheel. Adam’s truck had enough headroom that he’d left his hat on. Since she’d driven them back and forth from the motel five years ago, she’d never ridden in his truck, never seen him drive.
Too bad for her, that turned her on, too. Desperate to change her focus, she swiveled in her seat and looked back at Monty. “Thanks again for sacrificing a big chunk of your party time for my horse.”
He settled back in the seat. “You’re very welcome. Any day I can help an animal in trouble is a good day. It’s the reason I get up in the morning.”
Luis glanced at her. “Told you.”
“Well, I’m grateful that you were so willing to help Fudge.” She couldn’t decide if he really wanted to sleep or had made that up so she and Luis could sit together in front. “Were you kidding about taking a nap?”
“No, ma’am. I get drowsy in a moving vehicle. I’m told when I was a baby that was the only way they could get me to sleep. It still works.”
“Then I’ll quit bending your ear.”
“You’re welcome to bend mine.” Luis grinned. He and Monty were both developing a bit of stubble. Monty’s was a lighter color and didn’t show much. Luis’s beard was darker, making him look rakish.
As Monty leaned back and tilted his hat down over his face, she turned to Luis. “Okay, what gets you up in the morning?”
His grin widened. The devil.
“Hey.”
He lowered his voice. “Like I said, I have a one-track mind.”
She took a deep breath. “Same.”
“Nice to know.” He laid his hand on her thigh.
Her womb clenched in response, making her gasp.
“Too much?” His murmured question ramped up the heat flooding her body. He glanced at her, eyebrows lifted.
The warmth of his hand drove her crazy, but she didn’t want him to move it. Gulping, she shook her head. It would be a very long evening.
Chapter Fifteen
Riding back to town with his hand on Jordan’s thigh thrilled Luis more than a stunning laser show that had cost the town thousands. He’d exclaimed over the display right along with the rest of his family. Meanwhile he’d ached for another chance to touch Jordan.
But she wasn’t within reach. To keep his family from picking up on the sparks flying between them, he’d deliberately avoided sitting next to her for the show. Easy to do. She’d been swept into the Hearts & Hooves group the moment they’d returned.
