Scanning the dining room, I spot an empty table by the big bay window. “Come on, before she invites you for a tour or makes you stay for supper.”
He chuckles but follows behind as I wind my way through the tables to the one I want. When we reach the table, Hadley leans around behind me, pulling out my chair.
“Seriously?” I give him a look.
“Yeah, this is my spot.” He makes to sit in it. When my mouth falls open, he spins me around until the back of my legs hit the chair. “Ma’am.”
Now I lose it. Sitting down, I’m laughing.
I don’t really know why.
I’m happy.
Nervous.
Overwhelmed.
Having him turn up here is?—
“How’s your week been, Sunshine?” He bends down, sliding his hat under his chair.
I lean to the side and glance at it on the floor behind his boots. “It’s been okay...”
“Just okay? You need me to make it better?”
I narrow my eyes at him and fold my arms over my chest playfully. “And how are you planning on doing that?”
The happiest grin spreads over his face.
“How about you show me these mountains you love so much.”
“Don’t you have a ranch to work?”
“Yeah, but not for the rest of the day. Kayley and I were over at the cattle sale. She’s hauling till sundown, and she’s my ride home.”
“Oh, you have cattle in the sale. You didn’t want to ride with your sister?”
“Most months, yes. And ride with Kayley for eight hours? No, I can think of a much better way to spend the time.”
“Of course. Sorry, I forgot that’s your income.”
“Well, my lousy bull riding ain’t going to cover ranch expenses.”
“Does it help, though?”
“Yeah, now it does. Which I have you and Levi to thank for. Terminator, too, I guess.”
I lean forward and slide my hand under his. “You earned that spot, Hadley. With hard work, taking risks, and persistence.”
He swallows, his throat bobbing as he winds his fingers through mine. I smile up at him as one of the waitstaff appears at our table.
I retrieve my hand and order a pot of coffee and mugs.
“Sure thing, won’t be long.” She leaves with a glint in her eyes.
Oh, I’m sure the kitchen is buzzing with talk of my surprise visitor. Some of these people I grew up with. By the way the waitstaff and some of the cooks have mysteriously found jobs to do out here in the dining room, I’d say they’re overinvested in whatever they think is happening between Hadley and me.
“You want to bring that camera of yours? Maybe you can teach me how to take your picture in the wild,” Hadley says.
