Stepping back, I look at the man who was like a brother to me for the first half of my life. His black hair, which he used to wear long in the traditional Native American style, is growingout from a military cut and touching his shoulders. His dark brown eyes still look like he’s constantly laughing at an inside joke, and his skin is still tan like it’s the middle of summer.
There was a time when I was taller than him, and I would tease him and call him shrimp, but now, he stands at my height, and he has the physique of a fighter.
“Mason told me he saw you in town, I was wondering if you’d stop by.”
He slides his fingers into his front jeans pockets and looks around the room. “How could I not? The best years of my life were on this ranch.”
Leaning against the kitchen counter next to Dad, I cross my arms over my chest. “So, how are you? What have you been doing?”
“After Dad died, I followed your lead and enlisted in the Marines when I turned twenty. Eventually worked my way up to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and became an instructor, been doing that for the past eight years.”
“That’s a bit of a cush job to walk away from.”
He shrugs his shoulders. “I left a few things unfinished before I enlisted that I need to take care of.”
“Mason said you’re renting, are you living in town?”
“Yeah, you remember old lady Sander’s place down by the train station?” When we all nod, he continues. “The new owners remodeled the apartment over the barn that they turned into a garage. It’s pretty nice. I’m looking for a place to buy, but I’m taking my time, I want to find the right one.”
The sound of a diesel engine rumbles out front, and I look at Dad. “Breanna?”
He nods. “Yeah, she’s coming to check on Frost since she started her on meds last week.”
Mato steps away from me, angling his body more toward the entryway into the kitchen from the hall, and pulls his hands outof his pockets to tuck under his arms in an at-ease stance, his gaze on the floor. He looks tense, and I wonder what that’s all about.
The front door opens, and Breanna yells, “Who got the new truck? I love that color of blue.” Her boots clomp on the hardwood down the hall, but when she steps into the kitchen her eyes land on Mato and she freezes, eyes locked on him.
She’s in her usual jeans, t-shirt, and boots that she wears for work. Her long curly hair is pulled back into a ponytail and threaded through the back of her ball cap. On the left breast of her jean jacket, the logo and name of her vet clinic are embroidered into the material.
Silence hangs heavy in the room, so heavy you could hear a pin drop as they stare at each other for several seconds. Breanna’s eyebrows knit together as her eyes narrow, and I see her throat move as she swallows. I can’t remember there ever being anything between them. We let her play with us a lot since friends on a ranch are scarce, but it was always kid play. However, she was only twelve when I left.
“Hey, Breanna. How are you?” Mato breaks the silence, but his tone is tentative. We are all watching, trying to figure out what’s going on.
Breanna stares another moment longer before she takes a deep breath. “Hey.” She looks around the room at everyone looking at her and without another word, she steps through us to the back door.
The four of us swivel our heads back to Mato, but he is watching Breanna walk to the stable through the big window over the breakfast nook. After a few seconds, he turns to us and says, “Excuse me.”
Without another word, he follows the path she just took, leaving us wondering what the hell just happened.
23
NORA
“I CAN’Twear this.” I call out to Kinley and Allison on the other side of the leopard skin curtain hanging on a rope between them and the dressing room.
“Come out so we can see first. I’m holding your purse and shoes hostage until you do.” Allison calls back, and I hear Kinley snicker.
This morning, I looked through all the clothes I have with me and couldn’t find anything cute enough for a date to a fall festival. I went downstairs and pulled Allison aside to ask her what girls around here usually wear to something like that.
When she grabbed my arms and squealed, I almost ran from her, but she only laughed and said, “Girl shopping!”
The next thing I know, they are pushing me into the crowded western boutique down the street from the inn, and now I’m in a suede asymmetrical skirt that goes from the top of my knee on one leg to my hip on the other side. The fringe adds the illusion of length, but I can still see a lot of skin.
A low-cut, skin-tight, burgundy velvet vest showcases the space between the globes of my boobs. It’s sleeveless, and the top button sits under my boob line. It’s very sexy and flattering, and I like it, but I’ve never worn anything so revealing.
Don’t get me wrong, I want to look sexy for Tuck, but I don’t want to give the ‘jump me now’ vibe. Even though every night when I go to bed, I’ve got myself off to the thought of his kisses, and I’m hoping to get more than kisses tonight, I don’t want to be too obvious. Or look too easy.
“Yeah, we’ll be the judge, come out so we can see.” Kinley snips from her perch on the little couch outside of the dressing room. She was excited to come, but I can tell she’s exhausted.
