“Mmhmm.”Her smile didn’t waver.“You’ll see.”
Before I could respond, she swept off toward the kitchen, leaving me standing there with the uncomfortable feeling that I’d just been outmaneuvered.
I moved toward the auction tables, scanning the donated items without really seeing them.My mind kept circling back to Ruby’s tone, the deliberate way she’d mentioned Ashley, like the two of them had orchestrated something I hadn’t agreed to.
And maybe I was on edge a little because the ranch didn’t feel the same after Lilah left this afternoon.It was too quiet without her.Too gray and dreary without her smile.I didn’t like it a damn bit, and I was pissed at the realization I was letting her get under my skin.And even more pissed that I liked her there.
The room filled slowly with couples from town and sponsors I recognized from the rodeo committee.I shook hands and made small talk while keeping one eye on the door.
Then Lilah walked in.
I forgot how to breathe.
I’d never seen her in a dress.Heat coursed through my veins as my gaze raked over the dark red fabric that hugged her curves and fell just below her knees.Her hair was down, loose and shining under the community center lights, and she moved through the room with the same confidence she brought to everything, but softer somehow.
She looked absolutely stunning.
Her eyes found mine across the room, and she smiled.
I crossed to her before I could think better of it.
“Hey,” she said, her voice warm.
“Hey.”
For a second, neither of us moved.Then someone brushed past, and I remembered where we were.
“You look—” I started, then stopped, becausegooddidn’t cover it and anything more felt too big for this room.
“Different?”she offered, a little teasing.
“Yeah.”
Her smile widened, just a fraction, and I wanted to touch her.Pull her close.Make it clear to everyone watching exactly who she was to me.That she was mine.
But I didn’t.
“Dawson!”A voice cut through the moment.I turned to see Harrison Winslow, owner of one of the bigger ranches in the area, with a knowing grin spread across his face.“I didn’t know you were bringing someone.”
My head snapped up, and I realized, with a sharp kick to the gut, that I’d kept her to myself.Out at the ranch, in my space, in my routine.I hadn’t thought about what it meant that no one here had really seen her yet.That I’d been holding her close without ever naming what that meant.
“Hey, Harrison.Meet Lilah.She’s been training at the ranch.”
Harrison’s grin sharpened.“Is that right?Well, you’ve been doing a good job keeping her hidden.”
Lilah’s expression didn’t shift, but she went still beside me.
“She’s been busy,” I said.
“I bet.”Harrison’s gaze flicked between us, curious and knowing in a way that made my jaw tighten.“It’s good to see you finally bringing someone around.Even if she is a little young for you.”
His comment landed in the center of my chest and seemed to knock the wind right out of me.
Lilah’s hand brushed mine, light and grounding, but I didn’t correct him.Didn’t explain.Didn’t say anything that would put a name to what we were, because I didn’t have one that fit.
As Harrison moved on, Lilah’s fingers slipped away.Before I had a chance to downplay his comment, Ruby appeared at Lilah’s side.
She pulled Lilah into a quick hug like they were old friends.“Don’t you look lovely.That color is perfect on you.”
