“It’s Diego’s,” I replied, plopping down in the rocking chair next to her. My jeans were still damp from the creek. “He gave it to me.”
She stopped rocking, her eyes fixed on me and a smile spreading over her face. “Well, I’ll be,” she said slowly.
“You’ll be what?” I asked, furrowing my brows. “I don’t know what all these southern-isms mean.”
“Oh nothin’,” she replied and just kept on grinning.
“Aunt Dolly…what?”
“I guess I just didn’t know you and that cowboy were so sweet on each other.” She gave a little shrug. “That’s all.”
“I’m notsweeton him about anything,” I barked back, shocked she would even suggest such a thing. “He’s a cantankerous asshole with too much confidence and less than two brain cells to rub together.”
“But you’re wearin’ his hat.”
“And?” I was getting tired of this. “What the hell does that have to do with anything? It’s a hat. Who cares?”
“Sometimes I forget you wasn’t raised around here,” she sighed,still smiling despite my irritation. “You don’t know what wearin’ a cowboy’s hat means.”
A long moment of silence passed between us. Something was going on. Something I didn’t understand.
“So…” I said, almost terrified to know the answer. “Whatdoesit mean?”
Aunt Dolly’s eyes widened, like she couldn’t believe I’d asked such an obvious question. She leaned forward in her rocking chair, lowering her voice as if sharing a state secret.
“Sugar, a cowboy’s hat is his most prized possession. It’s part of who he is.” She gestured to the cream-colored hat still perched on my head. “And Diego Mendez? That boy loves that hat more than most folks love their children.”
“So?” I shifted uncomfortably, suddenly aware of the weight of the hat on my head.
“So,” she continued, drawing out the word, “when a cowboy gives you his hat, it means something. It means he’sverysweet on you. It’s practically a declaration.”
I felt my face flush hot. “That’s ridiculous. He just gave it to me because I fell in the creek.”
“Uh-huh.” Aunt Dolly’s smile was knowing in a way that made me want to crawl under the porch. “And I’m the Queen of England.”
“No, seriously,” I insisted, though my voice sounded weak even to my own ears. “It was just a... a pity hat. Because I was wet.”
“Honey, in all my years, I’ve never seen Diego Mendez let anyone wear that hat. Not once.” She took another sip of her lemonade, watching me over the rim of her glass. “And Frank says he’s had it since he was eighteen. Practically sleeps with the darn thing.”
My stomach did a weird flip. “That’s... that’s not what happened. He’s not... we’re not...”
“It’s alright if you like him back,” she said gently. “He’s a good man. Rough around the edges, sure, but he’s got a heart bigger than Texas.”
“I don’t like him!” The denial came out too forcefully, makingDolly’s eyebrows shoot up. “He’s annoying and cocky and he thinks he’s God’s gift to the earth itself.”
“Well, isn’t he?” She winked, and I nearly choked.
“Aunt Dolly!”
She cackled, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “I’m just sayin’, that boy’s been alone too long. And so have you, from what I gather.”
I groaned, slumping deeper into the rocking chair. “Please stop. I’m begging you.”
“Fine, fine.” She waved a hand dismissively. “But you keep that hat and don’t let anythin’ happen to it. Just see what happens. He might surprise you.”
Before I could argue further, I caught sight of Diego walking away from the barn out toward a group of ranch hands working at the guest cabins. His hair was still damp from the creek, his shirt clinging to his chest in a way that made my mouth go dry. He moved with that easy confidence that both irritated and attracted me, his eyes finding mine immediately. He lifted his hand, giving a little wave and a smile. My heart skipped a beat.
That handsome asshole had tricked meagain.
