She turned her back toward him as she looked at her stocking feet. She’d never been afraid to go wading with him around before. It was that kiss! Why did it have to ruin everything?
“Blaze,” he exclaimed cheerfully, walking toward her. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
She glanced over her shoulder at him, watching him tether his horse to a tree before coming her way. “Why? You know how much I like to ride.”
“Exactly.” He said beside her. “You like to ride. I enjoy relaxing by the stream.” He winked. “Which is why I’m surprised to see you by the stream.”
His gaze penetrated deep into her eyes. She couldn’t remember him ever looking at herthatway... as if he knew a secret about her. She gulped. Hopefully, he didn’t know the secret she was hiding from him now.
She shrugged. “I like hearing the water gurgling over the rocks. It’s soothing.”
He pointed to her stocking feet. “And you’re going wading too. Can I join you?”
“Uh, sure. Why not? I always look forward to your company.” The old Blaze wouldn’t have paused before inviting him to join her, but the new Blaze had been kissed good and hard and would never forget the feelings of joy rushing through her while in Colt’s arms.
“Thank you.” He grinned. “I’m glad you find my presence more entertaining than being alone.”
Why had he said itthatway? Something was definitely wrong. “But of course.” She bumped her arm against his.
They exchanged glances as she finished removing her stockings, and he took off his boots and socks. For a few seconds, the air between them seemed to sizzle, and the silence became awkward. Her nerves jumped with anticipation, and yet she knew nothing was going to happen between them. So then why did he keep looking at her that way?
“Colt,” she said warily, “you’re starting to worry me.”
“Why?”
“Because of the way you are staring at me.”
His expression relaxed as he reached over and grasped a lock of hair resting on her shoulder. Her heartbeat sped up that much more.
“I haven’t seen you with your hair down since I arrived in Last Chance.”
Inwardly, she groaned. She had gone riding, not thinking she would see anyone, which was why she took it out of the ponytail.
She laughed awkwardly. “Oh, yes. I suppose I did take my hair down.”
“I like it.”
If her heart didn’t slow down, she would have a heart attack, she just knew it. “Thank you.”
She waited for him to release her hair, but he didn’t. Instead, he stroked it gently. Good grief! It was just hair. So then, why was it melting her heart?
“You should wear it this way all the time,” he added.
“Are you kidding?” She shook her hair, releasing his hold. “How am I to work in the barn with my hair in my face all the time?”
“True, but... you look very much like a woman with your hair down.”
She really wished he wouldn’t notice that about her. He needed to find women that didn’t mind if he up and left after a couple of months of wooing them. “Well, maybe after I’m married, I’ll wear it down.”
He sighed and leaned back on his elbows, gazing at the stream not far in front of them. “That’s why I need to talk to you.”
“What? You came riding to look for me?”
“I did. Is that all right?”
“Yes, but why?”
“Blaze, since you told me that you were going to marry a stranger you met through a newspaper ad, I haven’t felt good about that.”
