“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. If you don’t like to fish, we don’t fish.” He glanced back with an easy smile. “We’ve got plenty of country to ride through.”
Blair smiled and looked out at the open land ahead of them. She had a feeling today was going to be just fine.
****
Hud kept his eyes moving as they rode. It was a beautiful day, warm and clear, but this time of year the animals that had spent the winter sleeping were up and hungry. Bears especially. He saw no reason to mention that to Blair.
He glanced back and found her taking it all in, a smile on her face that did nothing to help his concentration. He turned back around. He wanted her; there was no question about that, but he’d have to be patient. Push too hard and she’d send him packing, and he liked her too much to risk it.
When they reached the pond he reined Lady to a stop and turned in the saddle.
“We can eat here, if that works.”
“Please,” Blair said. “I’m starving.”
“Yeah,” he said under his breath, his gaze drifting back to her for just a moment before he looked away. “Me too.”
He dismounted and untied the bedroll from behind the saddle, snapped the blanket out over the grass and set the lunch bags and two bottles of water down.Blair swung down from Toffee and settled onto the blanket. Hud sat beside her.
“Turkey and Swiss. One mayo, one mustard.” He held both up. “Pick your poison.”
“Mayo, unless you want it.”
“Either works.” He handed it over and unwrapped his own.
He took a bite and made a sound of appreciation.
“Are you that hungry?” Blair asked.
“Breakfast was a long time ago.” He took another bite. “I’m up around five every morning. Eat, then ride.”
“Every morning?”
“Unless there’s a storm moving in. Rain and snow don’t bother me, but I won’t take Lady out if there’s lightning in the forecast.”
“You really love it.”
“Always have. My brothers do too, but I’m out here more than either of them.” He paused. “Deke’s got a little girl just starting to want to ride. That’s been fun to watch.”
“Are your brothers married?”
“Deke is. Case is engaged.”
“You sound like a proud uncle.”
“I spoil that little girl every chance I get. Her name’s Ellie. Just turned three.” He smiled. “She’ll ramble on for five minutes straight, none of it making a lick of sense, then just dissolve into giggles.”
“They’re wonderful at that age. Into everything, questions about everything.”
“That’s Ellie exactly.”
Blair laughed. “I can see why you spoil her.” She looked at him. “Why haven’t you married?”
Hud was quiet for a moment. “Never met the right woman, I suppose.” He held her gaze when he said it.
Blair looked down at her sandwich. “Sometimes you think you have and you’re wrong.”
