River glances down at her stomach, or maybe her lap, before standing and grabbing her purse from the brand new coffee table. “If your date goes bad, you call me. Gray will come get you.”
“Thanks, but Beckett already offered first.”
River snorts. “Your brother is something else. But he definitely knows how to protect the women he loves.”
She’s quick to leave the house, abandoning me to my thoughts. There had been a time when I thought River might end up with my brother for the long haul. I’d hoped for it, even though she was always this badass I looked up to. Not to mention a lawyer and a future doctor would be the ultimate power couple.
But in the end, Beckett loved her more than she ever would love him. I see it now. It was for the best. She moved on and built her own life in Kentucky before coming back here. There was a purpose in that. She found a piece of herself, then found Gray and ultimately became the woman she was always meant to be.
She moved on, but my brother hasn’t. That pained look still lives in his features whenever he sees her, and it’s worse if Grayis there too. I want to tell him to get over it, but that would mean I needed to follow the same advice and leave Nash behind.
Resigned to do just that, I shove off the couch, shower, and pick out my favorite flirty spring dress.
This date is exactly what I need.
If you had asked me what I expected from Ward’s date, I wouldn’t have known what to tell you.
I’ve dated different types of men, and for the most part, the first date is a clone of the last: dinner, a movie, or a walk by the lake if the weather is nice. It becomes rote repetition, where you’re counting the minutes waiting for it to end unless they’re funny or intelligent enough to distract you with great conversation.
But Ward had other plans. Thirty minutes south in Sloth County, their spring fair was in full effect. When we arrived, I made assumptions that were once again wrong. I figured we’d grab some food, walk around, and watch him try to win me some stuffed animal I won’t remember the origins of in a year. But he led me to the bumper cars.
“Up for a little competition?” He winks, flashing me that grin that makes my core tighten.
His hazel eyes glint with mischief, and I only nod, racing ahead of him and jumping into a blue car. He picks the one right beside me, and before I’ve even settled in, the battle begins.
Ward rams into me over and over, my laughter ringing out as my chestnut waves fly through the air from the impact. Mycheeks burn and my belly aches. When was the last time I had this much fun? The type where there are no expectations but non-stop laughter and stories we’ll tell later that won’t make me blush in front of my parents.
As the ride ends, I’m still laughing in my car when Ward extends his hand, pulling me to my feet. “You’re one tough opponent, Betty Hughes.” He grins widely, that crooked tooth flashing my way as he weaves his fingers through mine. I let him, finding comfort in his warm, rough palm.
“You know, when I first asked you on this date, I wasn’t thinking of this place,” he says as we stroll hand-in-hand toward the games.
“And where were you going to take me?” I’m genuinely curious. Will he be like all the rest?
“There’s a farm right outside the county lines where you can pick flowers—all different types and colors. You seemed like the kind of woman who likes bright colors,” he almost whispers, nervously chuckling under his breath.
“Flower picking?” I gasp.
His brows lift before dropping as if in defeat. “Yeah,” he croaks awkwardly, running his hand over the back of his head. “I thought you’d like pretty things, but not necessarily given to you. More like treasured and observed.”
My feet stop as I turn to face him, a shy grin pulling at my lips. “I would have loved that date too,” I whisper, before pressing up on my toes and kissing his cheek.
I’m on the verge of pulling away when his palm glides along my jaw, his thumb rubbing back and forth in soft strokes. “I really want to kiss you right now.”
My lips part, a ragged breath pulled in as I watch him through my lashes. “I think I would love that too.”
Soft, warm lips press to mine. The type of kiss that makes you melt into your lover’s touch, eager to stretch the momentof connection. It’s not hungry like Nash and I had been, but my insides still burn.
When he pulls away, I can only giggle. Swiping my thumb over his mouth, I wipe away my lipstick. “Better.”
Ward says nothing more as he retakes my hand, leading us toward that hammer game made for guys who like to show off how much muscle they have.
“Okay, Betty. I watched you make a grown man cry. Let’s see what else you’ve got.”
Chapter 12
Nash
I’ve missed the stink of a day’s worth of work on the ranch. There’s a different sort of ache that lives in your muscles, as your shirt clings to sweat-drenched skin, smeared with dirt.
