He blinked at her and said, “I’ve taken a few months of beginning sign language. I’m not really sure what you said.”
Winnie grinned at him and moved a little bit closer. “I think we’re the only hearing people here—me, you, and Lacy,” she said.
Ty glanced around. “Yeah, I think you’re right.” He shifted his feet and adjusted his cowboy hat on his head again. “You’re doing beginning sign language on Tuesdays and Thursdays?”
“Yeah,” she said. “Seven to eight-thirty.”
He nodded and pressed his lips into a tight line. “Yeah, that’s when it was last semester too. I’m thinking I better retake it.”
“Did Lacy pass you up to Intermediate?” Winnie asked.
“Yeah,” Ty said, and he watched as Jacob said something to one of the RAs. “But I only caught about half of what he just said.”
“He said he’s been looking forward to the smoked turkey all week,” Winnie said. “Come on, I want some of the steak from Shiloh Ridge after you bragged about having it last night.” She threw him the flirtiest look she could muster and went to join the food line.
“Did Taylor go home today?” he asked, clearly right behind her.
Every muscle in Winnie’s body tightened at the mention of her sister’s name, and then it released just as quickly. “Yes,” she said. “Thank goodness. Although I think she and Burt are really going to try to stay in touch.”
Ty chuckled. “Well, that’ll be something.”
Winnie glanced over her shoulder to him. “Is he not a nice guy?”
“It depends on what you mean bynice guy,” Ty said. “He’s a good worker and a good farrier. He just…goes with a lot of women.”
Winnie’s heartbeat skipped. “I’ve heard the same thing about rodeo cowboys.”
Ty didn’t exactly gasp, but his intake of breath made a sharp, if low, sound. She looked at him and their eyes locked.
“I’m from Oklahoma,” she said with a shrug. “Plenty of rodeos there.”
“Well, blanket statements are rarely true,” he practically growled. “I didn’t say all farriers dated a lot. I said Burt Hallahan did.”
“Well, my sister does too,” Winnie said. “Maybe they’ll be perfect for each other.”
“Maybe,” Tyson said.
“Are you saying you never dated anyone while you rode the rodeo circuit?” Winnie reached the end of the table and picked up a plate.
“I dated plenty,” he said. “I mean, enough.” He coughed a couple of times. “I’ve had a few girlfriends.”
“Anyone serious?” Winnie reached for the tongs and put a healthy pile of green salad on her plate.
“Yeah, my last girlfriend was pretty serious,” he said. “I figured I’d probably marry her, but she cut me as soon as I couldn’t ride anymore.”
Winnie swung her attention back to him, though the whole-wheat rolls in the basket next to the salad made her mouth water. “She broke up with you when you got injured?”
“Yep.” Ty did not reach for the salad tongs. “I haven’t been out with anyone since I’ve been back home.”
“Well….” Winnie trailed off, not quite sure what to say. She exhaled in a tight burst. “Had you asked her to marry you yet?”
“No,” Ty said. “But Jenn and I were together about two years, and we’d definitely talked about getting married.” His dark eyes glared holes in her. “You’re holding up the line, sweetheart.”
Embarrassment flooded Winnie’s cheeks, and she quickly grabbed a roll and moved down to the potatoes.
“What about you?” Ty asked, and Winnie inwardly cringed, though she’d opened this door. “Have you ever had a real serious relationship? Tell someone you love them?”
“Yes,” Winnie whispered.
