She turned off the mixer and wiped her hands on her pants before swiping. “Howdy,” she chirped, hoping he was worried about his dogs again and had forgotten about her.
“Darlin’, you’ve got us sittin’ on the fence and twiddlin’ our thumbs out here,” his deep voice filled the line.
She grinned. “I doubt you’re sitting around at all. If you sat down, you’d kill over.”
His booming laugh answered her teasing.
“What, exactly, are you talking about?” she tried to buy herself some time.
Being a gentleman, he didn't act like she was crazy for playing dumb. “Sweetheart, I know it’s hard. We’ve all been through it since Body and Hope died. But it’s time you start singin’ again. You were born for it if anyone ever was born to be on stage.”
A cold sweat broke out on her forehead, and she swiped at the moisture. “I’m not there yet,” she rasped.
The doorbell rang, and she was startled.
“Who’s that?” Uncle growled at being interrupted. No doubt he had a tirade prepared and at the ready–one he was sure would convince her to go public.
“Some friends,” she replied as she made her way to the front door to let them in.
“I’ll let you go. I love ya, darlin’. Call me soon.” He hung up quickly.
Uncle believed that the person standing in front of you was the most important person in the world. Heaven help the man or woman who answered a phone call in front of him. More than one country music hopeful had lost their chance because they chose to answer a text while talking to her uncle.
He’d hung up, so she tucked her phone in her pocket and opened the door to find Collin grinning up at her. He held two large dog bones with red ribbons tied to them. “I brought these for your dogs, so they’ll like me.”
Could he be any cuter?
“They’re going to love you!” she exclaimed.
A truck door slammed, and Ethan walked around the hood. “Thanks for waiting for me, bud.” He didn't make an effort to hide the flowers in his hand. “These are from me, so you’ll like me.” He grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Couldhebe any cuter? She was in for it with these two, and she didn’t even care.
She accepted the red, green, and white bouquet. The cellophane wrapper crinkled loudly. “You didn’t have to bring flowers.” She hoped he understood what she meant; he didn't have to bring flowers because she already liked him. She was out of practice regarding flirting, so the thought may have been lost in translation. Should she have winked? Did people wink these days? It suddenly felt old-fashioned
When she stepped back, the beagles were right behind her, and she almost tripped over them. “Guys!” she exclaimed while flailing one arm out to the side to maintain her balance.
Tucker shuffled out of the way and gave her an apologetic look as their guests filed in, and Ethan shut the door.
Her face flushed, and she hurried to introduce them to Collin. “Tanya, Tucker, meet Collin. He’s here to be your friend.”
Collin hung back as if he wasn’t sure about meeting a live animal. “Do they bite?” he asked.
“Never!” she managed to sound appropriately offended at the thought. Crouching between the two dogs, she motioned for Collin to come forward. He did, reaching for Tucker’s head. Tucker lifted to him and preened under his palm, begging for attention. Tanya, never to be outdone, rubbed against his leg. Collin giggled as he tipped to the side under her weight.
Valerie looked up to see Ethan gazing down at her, those fantastic brown eyes soft. Her pulse picked up speed. Why did he have to look at her like that right out of the gate? She wasn't ready for the feelings he stirred inside her, especially since she'd spent the last week and a half trying to stop them.
If only she'd known from the start that he wasn't off limits.
What would you have done?She silently asked herself. If Collin hadn't asked to meet the beagles, Ethan wouldn't be here now.
Realizing she'd been staring at him longer than appropriate, she surged to her feet. “I’m going to find a vase for these. Do you guys want to come into the kitchen?”
Tanya put her front paws on Collin’s belly and sniffed the bone he’d tucked into the crook of his arm so he could pet her. He jerked away, and her paws landed on the floor.
“Tanya,” Valerie scolded lightly. “She never jumps on people. I'm so sorry.”
Ethan leaned over and scratched between her ears. “I think we’re okay, right, bud?”
