He chuckled, taking the paper from her. “Yeah, I don’t envy you that.” His eyes scanned the document, and she took a moment to watch him. He was handsome. Gone was the little boy who had so obviously had a crush on her. Sitting beside her was a charming, funny, rugged cowboy who could make her laugh… and apparently affect her heart as well.
Slowly, his eyes slid to meet hers, and she sucked in a breath. Dang it. She couldn’t let him catch her staring. Did she have a goofy look on her face? Shoot! What had she been doing with her mouth?
Noah leaned back against the couch with a smirk. “A date auction? Somehow, I don’t think these people would be into that sort of thing.”
She snatched the document. “I had narrowed it down to a silent auction and the dinner with dancing option.”
“You can never go wrong with dancing and an open bar. I’ve known people to pay whatever it takes to get free liquor.”
Jane stilled then swung her eyes to meet his again. “You have?”
He startled then sat up and reached for his ice cream with a shrug. “Sure. Been to weddings where people will actually pay when they RSVP.”
“Weddings?” Her eyes narrowed. “Who pays to go to a wedding?”
Noah all but choked out a response, though he laughed to cover it up. “I dunno, guests of a stingy bride and groom?”
That had her laughing, too. “Well, I’m glad I wasn’t invited. I’m not much for drinking. The occasional champagne? Sure. But that’s where I draw the line.” She tossed the paper on the table. “Dinner and dancing it is. Maybe we can get a good chef out here to make the food. Someone who has Michelin stars or something.”
“That’s actually a good idea. Highlight that on the invitations you send out, and I’m sure you’ll catch more attention.”
She nodded thoughtfully. “What about entertainment? You think we should do something live? Or should I hire a DJ?”
He paused, his spoon tapping at his lips as he considered her question. “That? I don’t know it matters. These days, DJs do a good job, and there’s more variety in music.”
Jane found herself nodding again. “You know? You’re good at this. Maybe I should put in a good word with Trevor about hiring you to help out.”
Noah took in a sharp breath, but he’d been in the process of taking another bite of his ice cream, and he ended up inhaling it. A cough burst from his throat, and he had to place his carton on the table as he attempted to get it under control.
She watched with wide eyes as he shot to his feet and his face turned red. Noah paced a bit, holding up a finger, and she bit back a smile. She’d been there before. It wasn’t great. Pressing her lips between her teeth, she glanced toward the kitchen. “Would you… like some water?”
He nodded, pounding on his chest, his coughing finally subsiding. “That would be great,” he wheezed.
Jane got to her feet and headed for the kitchen. When she returned, he was still standing. She held the water toward him with a grin. “I take it you’re not that interested in working for a charity. What about it scares you?”
“Scared? I’m not scared,” he scoffed. “I just don’t think Bo would ever forgive me for leaving. He wouldn’t forgive you for poaching, either.” A pained smile graced his lips.
“You okay?” She let out a soft laugh. “Need me to get you anything else?”
“Fine,” he rasped. “Just the water. This is great.”
She shook her head and returned to her seat. “You’d be good at it, though. So if you change your mind, let me know.”
“I’ll do that,” he nodded, though he wasn’t meeting her eyes when he did.
Strange.
Isthis what withdrawals feels like?
Jane rubbed at her temples with her fingertips. She hadn’t been able to stop by the ranch today because after she was done with her usual duties at The Wounded Heroes Project, she’d had to connect digitally with the board of the charity itself and give an update on the plans for their biggest event of the year. What should have been done in an hour stretched longer and longer until she had to text Noah and tell him she wasn’t going to make it.
He’d texted her right back, telling her not to worry about it.
The camera angle of the meeting didn’t offer a view of the full room, but she got the gist of who these board members were. They were stiff, suit-and-tie folks who took everything far too seriously for her liking.
They had a spokesperson who did a majority of the talking, and for the most part, Jane had felt confident and competent. The feeling of being hungover occurred when she got in her car to head home. It was dark, and she felt drained and empty. She’d missed out on seeing the horses, cuddling with them, and just being in nature.
Who was she kidding?
