“It’s a woman?” Landon’s eyebrows shot up toward his sweat-dampened hairline.
Cole raised an eyebrow. “I can’t take a woman riding?”
“It’s not that. It’s just that you haven’t…” Gunnar shook his head, exchanging a look with Landon.
Cole smirked. “It’s not like that. We’re not dating.” He paused. “I’m sure Rio told you about the woman Masher chased?” Their expressions brightened with recognition and he continued. “It’s her. I took her to Dewey’s last night and asked her to ride today. She doesn’t get out much without a vehicle.”
“How’s Chuck coming along on her car?” Landon asked, brushing hay from his shirt.
Cole removed his Stetson, raked his fingers through his hair, and resettled it. “Hasn’t started on it yet, far as I know. You know how backed up his shop gets.”
“He needs to hire somebody. Clifton’s busier now.”
“True.” Cole headed for the tack room. “Don’t stay out in this heat too long.”
“Yes, sir.”
The tack room wrapped around him with the familiar scent of leather and saddle soap, dust dancing in the slanted sunlight from the small window. He gathered tack for his gelding, then pulled what Aftyn would need, the leather creaking as he slung it over his shoulder.
Outside, the sun hit him like a physical weight, heat waves shimmering above the cracked earth. He yanked open the truck door and recoiled at the blast of superheated air. The seats looked ready to sizzle skin on contact. He leaned in just far enough to twist the key and crank the A/C to maximum, then slammed the door and retreated to the house to wait.
As morning light spilled across the fields, Cole steered toward town, the engine’s low rumble filling the cab. He watched the mist lift off the blacktop and glanced at the empty passenger seat. What the hell are you doing? He was attracted to her, and he had a feeling she felt the same. But it couldn’t go any further than that.
“Who said it even would?” he muttered.
He exhaled and rolled onto Main Street, the diner lights still glowing out onto the sidewalk. He eased through the parking lot and circled to the rear, parking at the metal stairs.
Cole killed the engine, climbed out, and stomped up the steps. He tapped once on the door. A moment later the latches clicked and it swung open.
“Hi, come in.” Aftyn stepped into the slant of sunlight from the doorway.
He removed his hat and wiped his boots on the mat. She looked beautiful. Faded jeans that hugged her hips, a sky-blue T-shirt, and cowboy boots with blue stitching. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail that revealed the curve where her neck met her shoulder, a spot he’d love to trace with his fingertips under very different circumstances.
“Good morning.” His voice caught. “Glad to see you have boots.”
She glanced down and shrugged. “I’ve had them for years. I just rarely get to ride anymore.” She scooped up a small purse and twirled the strap around one finger. “Ready when you are.”
“Do you have a hat?” He shifted his weight as light pooled at her feet.
She bit her lower lip, a small habit he’d already memorized, and he found himself staring. “No.”
“I’m sure I have one you can use.” He smiled. “I thought I’d pack us lunch too, if that’s alright.”
“Yes. I’m sure I’ll be hungry by then.”
She picked up her keys and nodded toward the door. Cole opened it and she stepped onto the landing beneath the pale sky. She dropped the keys into his outstretched palm. He locked up, handed them back, and watched her tuck them into her purse.
He guided her down the steps, fingers brushing the small of her back, and opened the passenger door. She eased in with a soft exhale as the cooler air filled the cab. He swung around to his side and slid in.
“It’s humid this morning,” she said, fingers trailing along the windowsill.
“Supposed to get hotter.” He glanced at the sky.
“A ride will feel nice.”
He shifted into gear. “We’ll head out to the pond. Do you fish?”
Her voice brightened. “I do. I used to go with my parents all the time.”
