“Wait.” His deep voice stops me in my tracks. “I wanted to call you yesterday.”
I remain frozen with one hand on the door handle as his words sink in. Finally, I turn around to face him, everything moving in slow motion as if I’m under water. He hasn’t returned his hat to his head, so I have a clear look at his face. He’s so good-looking, it hurts. He runs a hand through his hair, but the rogue locks flop back over his forehead as soon as he gives me a nod, confirming that I heard him correctly.
“Why didn’t you?” I immediately regret the question, but I’m dying to know.
Shaking his head, he huffs out a laugh before looking down. When he looks back up, his eyes are serious, and they never leave mine. “I’m not sure. I convinced myself you wouldn’t want to hear from me. I know how people talk in this town.”
“What do they say?”
His smile is just wide enough for one dimple to show. “That I have a woman for every day of the week. That I’ll never settle down. That I always leave the bar early but never alone.”
I find myself stepping closer. “And that’s not true?”
He’s already shaking his head before I’ve finished the question. “No. Not most of it. And not anymore. Not many people know the real me, so I guess they just like to get creative when they come up with shit to fill in any holes.”
“I’m sure people do that to me, too. I just haven’t heard their versions yet. Anyway, I guess I’ll see you around. I’ll let the doctor know you’re ready.”
This time he reaches out and grabs my hand before I can walk away, and there’s no ignoring the sharp breath we both take on contact. I look down to where his hand is grasping mine and then back up to his rich brown eyes. My mouth is completely dry as I swallow hard.
“I’d like to see you again, if that’s alright. Are you free tonight?” he asks.
“I’m not busy, but I have to be at the ranch first thing in the morning to feed the horses and clean the stalls.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t keep you too late. When’s the last time you rode?”
“A horse?”
Once again, I want to smack my hand over my mouth, and his amused smirk only makes it worse. I’m not sure if it’s nerves or excitement at this point, but I can’t seem to get it together. I haven’t been on a horse in years. I still make it a point to visit my aunt, but it isn’t like when I was a teenager and would spend my entire summers and weekends riding and helping care for her horses. The thought of a ride has my heart racing with anticipation.
“Yes, a horse. But if there’s something else you’d like to ride…”
“Oh, my god. I know you meant a horse, I just got excited. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten a chance to get on one.”
“You should come by tonight. We can ride. I’ll show you part of Cole County I’m sure you’ve never seen before.”
Looking around the exam room, I try to find a reason to say no. I don’t have to work. He was a perfect gentleman when he drove me home the other night, so I have no reason to be nervous around him; other than the fact that his very presence overwhelms me.
“I don’t even know where you live.”
“Drive like you’re heading to Boulder Ranch but keep driving for another mile or so. I’m the next drive on the left. Five thirty?”
“Okay. Five thirty,” I echo.
I leave the room in a daze, paying no attention to what I’m doing when I flip the plastic flag up signaling the patient in that room is ready. As I’m replaying the conversation for the twentieth time, I claim the empty seat beside Rayna.
“Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Rayna asks.
“I’m seeing Tate tonight,” I breathe.
Rayna’s eyes grow wide, and she spins the chair so she can face me. “As in, a date?”
“No. Maybe? Oh my gosh, I should have asked if it was a date!”
She holds out her hands and shakes her head, failing to hold in her laughter. “No. No you shouldn’t have. Don’t be weird. Tell me the plan, and I’ll tell you if you should treat it like a date.”
“He invited me to his place.”
Somehow, her eyes get even wider. It sounds much worse when I say it out loud, and her reaction isn’t helping me. I’m not even sure what’s happening. Three days ago, he hit my car, and I thought he was a cocky asshole. Now, I’m planning to go to his house.
