That job done, I went over to the Davis’s home. I wanted to see if Lucinda could make something for Bria and I to eat while we were out.
Normally I wasn’t a half bad cook. I was way better than my mom, who had a well-earned reputation around town, but I didn’t think there would be time to scope out a place and make dinner.
“I’d love to make you two something.” Lucinda clapped her hands together and ushered me right back to her kitchen. “I thought I saw a spark during breakfast, but Carl told me to leave it be. I’m glad I wasn’t wrong.”
“No, ma’am.” I nodded.
“You’ll have to be patient, you hear.” She put a pot filled with water on the stove and then brought out a cutting board. “She wouldn’t want me saying a word, but she’s been hurt. Life isn’t always easy, and sometimes it seems like the ones that don’t deserve it the most get the hardest draw.”
“What do you mean?”
“It isn’t mine to tell.” Lucinda chopped through some veggies. “I will tell you that if you mistreat that girl, both Carl and I will find you. And trust me, that big ol’ family won’t be able to protect you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I wondered what she meant when she said that Bria had been hurt before. Was it an ex-boyfriend who didn’t treat her right, or was it more? Whatever the story was, I had no intention of doing anything wrong. If tonight went right, I had a feeling it was going to be the start of something really special, and I couldn’t wait.
Chapter 6
Bria
I somehow found the time to run by my house to change into something a little more appropriate for riding than the dress slacks I had been wearing all day. Now I would be comfortable in my jeans and a light sweater.
Even though I lived on a farm, it had been a long time since I had taken one of the horses out for a ride. The surprising part of all this was how excited I was for tonight, despite the fact I was still fairly sure that I had been tricked into agreeing to go out with Junior in the first place. I was really looking forward to getting back out there.
I kept up a steady stream of work until the alarm on my phone signaled that it was ten minutes to six. I slowly powered down my computer and made sure everything was set for tomorrow before locking up the office and heading out. It wasn’t until I hit the stairs that my nerves kicked in.
I was being silly if I really thought about it. It wasn’t as if this was an actual date. I was mostly going just to get him to stop asking me out. It wasn’t as if I was going to fall for him while riding around the ranch. That would be ridiculous.
Then why can’t you stop thinking about that kiss?I almost stumbled on the last step.
I grabbed the rail while telling myself to cut it out. I mean, it wasn’t like that was a real kiss. His lips barely touched mine.
Yet you haven’t been able to stop replaying it. Wishing it had been more.
No. I argued. That couldn’t be true. I didn’t date, and I didn’t do relationships. I’d gone down that road looking for what feltlike it was missing, and it didn’t end well. The only person you really needed was yourself. Everyone else just let you down. I was perfectly happy staying single and doing my job. That was all I needed in my life.
I walked outside a few minutes early and stopped. Junior stood there waiting for me with two horses ready to go. I guess his tardiness had been due to Carl. A part of me hated how that one simple fact made me like him a little more.
“Hi, beautiful.” He smiled as soon as he saw me. “You changed.”
“I thought this would be better.” I continued toward him.
“You look amazing.” His smile got bigger. “But you looked pretty damn good before as well.”
“Thank you.” I had never had anyone compliment me on my looks this much in my life.
“Are you ready to go?”
“Sure,” I walked over to Nebula. I’d never ridden her before, but I knew all the horses in our stables. “Hey there, girl.”
“Are you two friends?” I didn’t realize Junior was standing right behind me until he spoke.
“Not really.” I rubbed down the side of her neck. “I’ve heard she’s a good horse though.”
“That’s what I was told, too.” I felt his hand touch my waist. “Do you need help getting up?”
“I’ve got it.” I put one foot in the stirrup and held onto the horn and the cantle to lift myself up.
