She was pleased with her attire, but the part that hung her up was when it came to makeup. She rarely wore much, and even the lightest shade of powder on her eyelids felt like she was sporting stage makeup on a Broadway set. She could use some help in this area, but it felt too silly to call Rachel or even Sarah.She knew they would be happy to offer tips, but she hesitated. And the reason for that had everything to do with Spencer.
She feared it was too soon to feel this deeply for the man. What would everyone think? They’d all attended Calvin’s funeral, saw the tears that flowed from her eyes throughout the entire memorial. She knew her emotions were sincere, that her grief was deep and fresh and real. But to admit that she had feelings for someone new hardly a year later felt like the biggest betrayal to her late husband’s memory. Of course, she doubted anyone would echo this fear of hers, but she couldn’t help but wonder if there were murmurings and whispers going on behind the scenes. Small towns were made for gossip, and idle chatter was a constant white noise.
She would figure out the whole makeup thing on her own.
A half-hour later and three YouTube videos in, she heard a faint knock at the door.
Right on time. She appreciated Spencer’s promptness. He’d agreed to pick her up at seven for their seven-thirty reservation at Timber Creek Bistro a short drive up the mountain. She had dropped the kids off at the barn at five. Nana Jo had requested they come early to get started on the dough for the homemade pizzas. And while Trinity had offered to meet Spencer at the restaurant to eliminate all of the back and forth, he insisted on picking her up. In every sense of the word, this was a real date, complete with the very real butterflies that burst in her stomach when she opened the door and glimpsed Spencer on the other side.
He was still every bit the cowboy she admired, but this time dressed in dark denim, polished boots, and a crisp plaid shirt complete with a tan jacket that wasn’t his typical work one. And she was honestly surprised to see him without his signature cowboy hat, his hair actually styled with a brush and comb. He looked fresh and clean, and smelled even better, this minty pinearoma that had her wanting to bury her face in his chest and take a big breath.
Instead, she stayed on her side of the doorway and gave him a big grin. “Goodness, you clean up well.”
“I’m not always covered in dust and hay.” His mouth grew into a smile that dimpled both cheeks. “You look beautiful, Trinity.”
“Thank you.” She smoothed her hands down her skirt before reaching back into the house to grab her navy peacoat and purse hanging on the hooks by the door.
“You ready?” he asked with an elbow extended to lead her to down the icy front step. “I left the truck running with the heater on. It’s colder tonight than predicted.”
Autumn was like this in Snowdrift. Some days were warm, reminiscent of summer’s lingering heat, while others hinted at the harsh winter they would surely endure.
“That’s very kind of you,” she said as she threaded her arm through his. “I appreciate it.”
“There aren’t any seat warmers, but I brought a blanket in case you got cold. The truck’s dependable, but old.” He laughed to himself, snickering. “Kind of like Nana Jo.”
“She was so sweet to take the kids tonight. I owe her one.”
Spencer stepped back into the road as he tugged on the passenger side door handle and opened up the truck for Trinity to climb in.
“She enjoys being around kids. Says it helps keep her young. But truth be told, I think Nana Jo is just happy to have another horse girl around. My sister never got that gene, and other than me, Nana doesn’t have too many people who share her passion.”
Trinity buckled herself in while Spencer shut the door and jogged around the front of the truck to take his place in the driver’s seat.
“How is her horse doing?” she asked as he got settled.
Pulling out onto the road, Spencer cast a glance across the cab. “Alpine? He’s okay. I actually rode him the other day, but I think he’s got something going on. Maybe an old injury flaring up. Possibly arthritis. I need to have the vet out to take a look, but I’m thinking it might be time for Nana Jo to consider putting him into retirement. It’ll kill her to do so, but I think it’s for everyone’s good.”
“And what would that look like?” Trinity knew the woman’s love for that horse and hoped it didn’t mean sending him out to pasture in the way some people interpreted it.
“Basically, he’d just be an expensive pet. He’d still get his shoes, things like that. Still get his stall in the winter and a paddock in the warmer months. All his vaccines, plus maybe a couple extra supplements to address any pain issues. Mostly it would just mean his riding days are over.”
“And do you think the reason Nana Jo has been so hesitant to retire him is because she’s worried it might mean her riding days are over, too?”
Spencer looked at her again, his expression softening. “You know, I haven’t thought of it that way, but I think that could be a very real possibility. She’s stubborn. So is that horse. But maybe it’s for both of their best interests to hang up the saddle.”
“What about Bluebell? Do you think she’d be able to ride her?”
“Absolutely. That horse is a doll, and she’s young enough that she still has lots of solid riding years ahead of her. It’s why I think she’s such a good match for Mia. If Nana just wanted a dependable horse to ride around the property, I think Bluebell would fit the bill. But the bond between a horse and its rider is strong, and I’m not sure she’s going to have that with any horse other than Alpine. They’ve been through a lot together. She sure loves him.”
Trinity shrugged. “I don’t know. I think she’ll learn that she can easily fall in love all over again.”
She hadn’t meant for it to sound so vulnerable, like a confession of her own heart’s desires. And thankfully, Spencer didn’t dwell on it or address that elephant in the room. He just carried on driving to the restaurant, every now and then angling the heater vents in her direction when they would slip. The truck was old, but Trinity didn’t mind. She had all the warmth she needed in that cab, and she knew most of it came from being with the man sitting beside her.
Once at the restaurant, the hostess ushered them to the back of the establishment, a secluded high-back booth with soft leather seats and a small tealight flickering in the center of the table. Trinity scanned the menu. Everything sounded so good. She would have been content eating one of the child-made pizzas back at the ranch, but one glance at the fancy restaurant’s offerings had her grateful for Spencer’s insistence that they go out for a change. It was a real treat.
“What looks good to you?” he asked, his menu slipping so he could view her over the top.
“Everything.” Her mouth watered with the words.
