“Or he can stay in my trailer.”
“He can?” His gaze brightened, but then the glow faded. “Oh, that’s right. You have a foldout bed, too. I forgot.”
“I meant he can stay alone in my trailer.”
“Yeah?” The sparkle returned.
“I’ll tell him about us. Not on the phone, but after he gets here, when we have a chance to talk.”
“Alrighty, then.” His chest heaved.
“I assume our food’s on the table.”
“Yes, ma’am. Just waiting for you.”
“I’ll make the call a quick one. Then I’ll have to eat fast so I can put fresh sheets on my bed before we leave for town. And check in on Fudge.”
“I really want to kiss you right now, querida.”
She smiled. “I promise you’ll have plenty of opportunity to kiss me tonight.”
“I’ll hold you to that promise.” He turned and walked back into the kitchen, giving her privacy for the call.
She felt like a trapeze artist performing without a net as she tapped her screen and Cole’s phone started ringing. She’d thrown out her usual playbook with this move.
Instead she’d followed her instincts. Picturing Cole meeting Luis and the rest of the Bridger Bunch generated warm fuzzies in her chest. She’d go with that.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Luis pulled away from the ranch at eight-forty-five and followed his mom’s van out to the main road. Adam and Tracy had gone in early to set up the ribbon cutting ceremony taking place with the town council at nine-thirty.
Mila, Claudie, Greta, Grandma Doris and the aunties were tucked into the van. Mila had texted Jordan to ask if she wanted to go with them. He’d halfway expected her to do it. After all, she’d been a happy camper hanging out with that group yesterday.
Instead she’d replied with thanks and a smiley face, and said she’d be riding shotgun in his truck. And didn’t he love that move.
Their dynamic had shifted. Ever since she’d decided to be open with her brother about their relationship, she’d taken ownership of it. She was no longer self-conscious about letting his family know she cared about him, either.
Having Monty, Zay and Rio in the back seat didn’t keep her from reaching over and squeezing his arm or giving him an affectionate glance. He didn’t kid himself this signaled a change in her plans, but it would be nice while it lasted.
He braced himself for some teasing comments from his brothers but they didn’t make any. He appreciated their restraint. Instead they asked questions about Cole. Could he ride? Did he look like her? How tall was he? When was he getting to town?
Jordan ticked off the answers on her fingers. “He’ll be here around one. He’s six-three, has brown hair that gets blond streaks in the summer if he doesn’t wear his hat. His eyes are gray and he wears glasses for reading. He rides whenever someone gives him the opportunity. He doesn’t have a horse of his own.”
“Then he should definitely ride while he’s out at the ranch,” Zay said.
“I’m sure he’d love to. He was planning to adopt a couple wild horses right after we hung up this morning, so Mila and Claudie want him to come along on the H&H tour.”
“He can ride Whiskey,” Rio said from his spot in the middle seat. “I’ll be driving the wagon.”
Monty glanced at him. “Since when are you driving the wagon? I thought Luis was doing that.”
“Since this morning.” He hesitated and leaned toward the gap between the two front seats. “Hey, hermano, can I tell them what we talked about?”
“Go right ahead. It’s not a secret.”
“Did you tell Jordan?”
“Didn’t have a chance.” He’d wondered if Rio would choose to bring up this topic. It would be better if Jordan heard it from Rio than from him.
