“Rio? You’re kidding.”
“I’m dead serious.”
“But he’s never shown the slightest?—”
“He doesn’t think he’s good enough.”
“He told you that?”
“No, but I have eyes and ears, and since he’s living in my house now, I have an excuse to drop in and chat with him.”
“About him becoming my assistant?”
“Of course not! I would never suggest that to him.” She spun under his arm again. “But I’d be thrilled if you’d do it. That boy’s lost. He’s searching for a purpose.”
“That’s why he’s wrong for the job. He lacks focus.”
“Give him a reason to focus. He worships you.”
“Auntie, I love you to pieces, but if Rio had any interest in working with wild horses he would’ve shown it by now.”
“He’s out there all the time monitoring the water tanks and checking the electric fence line.”
“But he’s never asks to go with me. I started following Dad around when I was a kid.”
“And by high school you and Spence were a team. A tight team. No room for little Rio.”
He felt that one deep in his chest where truth usually landed.
Her voice softened. “I see something in him, Luis. You could do for him what Spence did for you.”
Another direct hit, this time to the knot of grief that hadn’t loosened yet. Maybe never would. “I’ll talk with him.”
The dance ended. Perfect timing, one of Auntie Kat’s superpowers. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”
Chapter Sixteen
As the night wore on and Luis danced with all the H&H women except her, Jordan began to wonder what his save a dance for me comment had been about. She’d been out on the floor quite a bit, too, but he’d still had plenty of opportunity to ask her.
The emotional rollercoaster reminded her of dances in middle school when the girls had been eager and the boys had been shy. Not that Luis was shy. He looked like a man having a great time.
He was also damn good at this. So was she, if she did say so. They could be tearing up that floor. Should she ask him, instead? Like Kat had?
No. She’d done enough by coming here in the first place. This was his town, his family. He needed to make the call.
But in the meantime, she could show off a little, just in case he was keeping tabs on her, too. She put enough energy into every fast two-step to keep the fringe on her boots in constant shimmy mode. Still no invitation from Luis.
Eventually the crowd started to thin out. She caught Mila covering a yawn. When Adam announced he’d go settle the bill, the prospect of dancing with Luis grew dim. The Bridger Bunch would probably leave after this next number.
It turned out to be an old Alan Jackson song called You’ve Got Me Right Where I Want You. For sure he wouldn’t ask her when the tune was slow and romantic. She located her backpack and swallowed her disappointment.
Then he appeared, smiling as he held out his hand. “Dance with me?”
She jumped up so fast her chair would have hit the floor if he hadn’t caught it. He steadied it with his free hand and then led her out on the floor. “Sorry about being so late.”
“No worries.” Although she was a little worried and a lot shaky. Only a few couples were dancing. Sort of. More like snuggling. Was that what he had in mind?
She sent him a questioning glance. Holding her gaze, he placed a firm hand in the middle of her back and raised their clasped hands to shoulder height. “Let’s waltz.” He whirled her onto the floor.
