When he couldn’t stand the opposition in his heart and his thoughts, he pushed through the door. Zoey looked up at the sound, and her dark gaze landed on him. It seemed as if the air was gone and Hunter forgot how to breathe in those three seconds. She stunned in an orange dress with flowers on it, and there was a brown belt around her waist. Her hair was pulled into a braid over her left shoulder, and she wore brown cowboy boots.
Zoey’s eyes lit up, and she beckoned him over. Hunter moved without conscious thought, his body knowing that being closer to Zoey was all it wanted. That was fine. He’d let it lead him for the time being.
“Hey,” he managed to get out as he drew closer.
“Hey yourself.” She glanced over him, and her eyes landed on his new hat. “That’s a good-lookin’ hat, cowboy.” The way she said the words told him she was admiring more than the hat—and he liked that feeling. He also liked that she always seemed to notice his hats.
“Thanks. You look beautiful. I-I mean, you are beautiful.”
Leanne made a sour face. “I’m going to find a soda.” She waved and was off, leaving the two of them alone.
Hunter stared into Zoey’s deep brown eyes, feeling like he could wake up every morning to those eyes and be perfectly happy.
They didn’t have long on their own—which was typical for a Westbrook Sunday dinner, but no less annoying. Maverik approached, his spurs ching-chinging with every step. “So Zoey …”
She ripped her gaze away from Hunter and focused on Maverik. Hunter wanted nothing more than to tell him to ching-ching along and bother some other person, but he held himself in check.
“Yes?” she replied.
“I know you can do barrels, poles, and cutting, but can you handle a rope?”
Zoey glanced down at her nails. “Of course I can.”
Hunter appreciated her confidence. Roping was a big thing around the Westbrook ranch. Not that it was a deal killer if she couldn't rope, but knowing she could made her all that much more appealing.
Maverik hooted with laughter. “Great—we have a family roping every Friday night. Bring twenty bucks, and be prepared to lose.”
She laughed. “I’ll clear some space in my wallet to take home my winnings.”
Hunter grinned. “Feeling confident?”
She glanced up at him from lowered lashes, and his heart skipped a beat. Then she turned her gaze on him full force and linked her arm through his. “I’m always confident when it comes to riding.”
“Great.” Maverik rubbed his palms together. “I could use an extra twenty this week.” He sauntered off as Hunter shook his head.
“He’s all bluster.”
“I doubt that—I’ve seen you guys on horses.” Zoey leaned her head on his shoulder as they stood there. He liked the way she felt comfortable with him. Was this the sign Swayzie had told him to look for? Zoey’s attention didn’t feel at all like a friend move; it felt much more like a girlfriend move. Which gave him the green light to make the next move.
“Speaking of horses,” Hunter ventured, “want to ride the hills with me Wednesday night?”
She turned to look out over the land. “Up there?”
“Yeah. It’s real pretty about sunset.”
She turned back to smile softly at him. “Hunter Westbrook, are you asking me on a date?”
“I thought I made that clear.” He grinned. “But just so we have an understanding … Zoey, would you like to go on a bring-your-own-horse date with me Wednesday night?”
She smiled in return. “I’d love to.”
“Great. I can’t wait to see Cherokee again,” he teased.
She smacked his belly with the back of her hand, but she was laughing. Hunter felt like he could fly.
