She didn’t want to smile, but she did. She didn’t want his deep drawl to affect her, but it did.
“Can I see you tomorrow evening?” he asked. “I’ll bring the wine and beer, and we can drive down to the beach and watch the sunset over the water.”
She meant to say that she was busy and would be out of town for a couple of weeks, but that was not what came out of her mouth. “That sounds wonderful. I’ll pack a picnic and bring the quilt.” Besides, she wanted to see him again. And there was always that little niggling voice in her head telling her to slow down and enjoy a life outside of her career for once.
“I’ve missed you these past two days,” he said.
“Then why didn’t you call or at least text?” Anger over being so agreeable set in again.
“I had a bunch of papers to sign on Wednesday morning,” he said, “then the five-hour drive to Ringgold took even longer because of construction and a traffic accident. Today I was busy getting things ready to move down here. I apologize. I could and should have called and talked to you on the trip up or back.”
“No, I’m sorry for being a bitch. I’ve been bored. This vacation thing isn’t all that it is cracked up to be.” She managed half a giggle.
“No problem,” Bubba said. “I don’t like to be still either, but a long day of back-breaking work isn’t so bad when I get to spend time with a beautiful redhead at the end of the day.”
“Good save.” She giggled as she stared into his eyes and wished he was right there with her. “What are you doing right now?”
“I’m sitting in an old rocking chair on the bunkhouse porch. In a couple of minutes, the foreman, Elijah, is going to yell that supper is ready. He’s making steaks in a cast-iron skillet, fried potatoes, and heating up a can of beans. I’ve only had junk food since we left Ringgold a few hours ago, and the aroma of grilled onions in the potatoes smells so good. What are you doing?” he asked.
Holly glanced over at the suitcase, immediately abandoning her earlier plan to leave. “I’m going to finish watching the sunset while I drink the last of the wine you brought a couple of nights ago.”
“I’m watching it from this porch and wishing I was there with you,” he said.
“That’s so sweet, but I’m wondering how many times you’ve used that line,” she teased.
“Honey, I’m telling you the unadulterated truth here: I’ve never watched a sunset with any other woman,” he declared.
“What do you do with most women you date?” she asked.
Door hinges squeaked and a loud masculine voice yelled, “Supper is ready. Get off the phone and come get it!”
“Can I answer that later?” Bubba asked.
“You shouldn’t keep Elijah waiting,” Holly answered.
“Can I call you in a couple of hours? I know it’ll be late, but …”
“Of course,” Holly said. “But for now, go have your supper.”
Chapter Five
Holly flipped her braids over her shoulder toward the back and used a wet towelette with bug spray on it to wipe her chest and arms. A warm ocean breeze teased the few strands of hair that had escaped the braids and blew them across her face. She tucked them behind her ear and studied the sunset in the water’s reflection. Twice the beauty as one just sinking down over the trees or the Houston landscape.
A few small birds ran to the edge of the water when the surf receded to peck at what she figured was tiny fish of some kind. Then they ran back when the tide threatened to wash them out to sea. Everything was so natural, so serene and peaceful, that she wished she could sit on the quilt forever. Was this the feeling of a happily-ever-after that romance books talked about? If so, she wanted it to be her story.
“Daring little devils, aren’t they?” Bubba said.
“What?” She came out of her moment of bliss and locked eyes with him.
“Those birds,” he answered. “Would you run toward danger to get supper?”
“Depends on how hungry I was,” she answered. “Sometimes it requires a risk to get what you want.”
This was the perfect opportunity to tell Bubba exactly who she was, but she couldn’t do it. The millions of twinkling starsin the sky, the soothing sound of the surf, the warm sand on her feet—all of it made for a perfect evening that she could not ruin by spilling the truth.
Bubba scooted off the edge of the quilt and started building a sandcastle. “How far would you go out of your comfort zone to get what made you happy?”
She moved over and began to help him. “That would depend on how big the prize was.”
