Jason held out a hand to shake on it. The moment Lainey’s palm touched his, he felt warmth mingle with an electrical tingle that zinged up his arm and zapped his brain.
“It’s a deal,” he said when he regained the ability to speak, then reluctantly released her hand.
When she began digging in her purse for her wallet, he pulled out his credit card and handed it to their server as she passed by their table.
“Hey, I was going to pay for dinner, since you bought lunch.” Lainey offered him a look that was half exasperation and half pout. Together, the combination threatened to short-circuit what few brain cells remained functioning.
Jason cleared his throat as he tried to gather his splintered thoughts together. “I’m an old-fashioned guy, Lainey. I asked you out for dinner, so I’m buying.”
She leaned back and lifted her nearly-empty glass of lemonade. “I suppose you also insist on holding open doors, walking on the street side of the sidewalk, and pulling out chairs.”
Jason fiddled with his knife. “I do. That a problem?”
“Nope.” She drained the lemonade, then set the glass on the table. “In fact, it’s refreshing to meet someone with old-fashioned values. Too many people these days have forgotten about manners, courtesy, and kindness.”
“No argument from me. Don’t get me started on how things were done in the good old days, or we’ll be here all night.”
Lainey grinned. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
The server returned with a receipt for Jason to sign, then he and Lainey rose to leave. Jason glanced at the clock on the wall as they walked through the lobby and was shocked to see they’d been at the restaurant nearly three hours. Time had zoomed by while he’d been lost in conversation with Lainey. That had never happened before. Not since the early years, when he’d been dating his wife, and they’d spent hours talking and getting to know one another.
Jason gave himself a mental shake.
The last thing he needed was a wife. Not when he was on the road ten months out of the year and had created a life that madehim happy and fulfilled after losing Judy, at least most of the time.
Yet, there were moments that reminded him of how much he’d lost, how lonely he felt, how he longed to be loved again. Moments when the ache inside him was almost more than he could bear.
“Would that be okay?” Lainey asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
“I apologize, Lainey. I didn’t catch what you said.”
She gave him a concerned glance as they waited to cross the street. “I was just asking if it would be okay if I take some photos of you and Shaun tomorrow. Maybe some of the other Rockin’ K crew.”
“I don’t mind, and I’m sure the rest of them won’t care. Ask Kash for sure, though. Or Celia.”
“Celia was the one who suggested that, if I’m interested in capturing the faces of rodeo, I start with the Rockin’ K family, which is exactly how she worded it.”
Jason smiled. “Because we are like a big family, warts and all.”
Lainey laughed. He cupped her elbow as they crossed the street and made their way to the rodeo parking lot. He escorted her over to a nice travel van. “Do you have somewhere to park tonight?”
“Not really. I figured I’d find a grocery store parking lot. The truck stop I was at last night was nice, but there was a creep who freaked me out a little bit, so I’m not eager to return in case he shows up again.”
Jason scowled. “Are you okay?”
“I’m perfectly fine.”
“Stay here.” Jason motioned to the area where the contestants and staff parked. There were plenty of open hookupsfor trailers and RVs. “It’s safe, and no one will care if you use one of the hookups.”
“Are you certain?” Lainey asked, sounding hopeful.
“Positive.” He pointed to a brick building on the inside of the fence that separated the general parking from the secured area for contestants. “There are bathrooms and showers there.”
“Great!” Lainey walked around to the driver’s side door of the van and unlocked it.
Jason stepped back as she got into the van, then walked over and opened the gate, closing it behind her after she drove through. He guided her to a space for her van where she could hook up to electricity and water.
Once she was set for the evening, he took her hand in his and gently squeezed it. “I had the best time with you today, Lainey. Thank you for being willing to hang out with me.”
