Nate blinked twice before tossing one of his trademark grins my way. “Now which brother’s making up lyrics on the spot?”
I pushed the bucket into his stomach. “Better feed the horses before it gets dark.”
Laughter followed my retreating back—a blessed sound. Nate had dug himself a hole, but not one he couldn’t climb out of. The loss of Domino would hurt us all, though. We were all fond of the gelding, and he was the best beginner horse we had, gentle and unspookable. Losing him would be a hit on the ranch but, unfortunately, the Double B’s bank account didn’t have enough cushion to buy him from Nate. Not with an upcoming vet bill for the cesarean. The Whalen group’s fees had covered the cost of replacement heifers, but the ranch wouldn’t be flush until after the weaned calves were sold to the feedlot.
I couldn’t save Nate from the loss of Domino, but I could see if a different door to his dreams in music could be opened.
Pushing down the rising nerves as I retraced my steps back to the small bonfire and the crowd surrounding the flickering blaze, I mentally practiced what to say. Usually I walked a fine line between avoiding women and trying to not appear rude. Never had I sought a lady out of my own accord with the purpose of a private conversation.
My throat tightened the closer I got. A red-orange glow illuminated the side of Jocelyn’s face. Her high cheekbones cast shadows along her jaw and highlighted the intelligent sheen in her eyes. I found I couldn’t look away, mesmerized by the graceful curve of her exposed neck and shoulders.
She laughed at something one of her colleagues said. How could she do that? Be not only comfortable in any setting—at least, I imagined she commandeered a conference room with as much ease as she’d stepped into ranch life—but with any person, be it friend, stranger, or ill-mannered coworkers? Nothing seemed to fluster her for too long or hold her back. Not fear nor prejudice. She might look like a willowy flower with petals that could easily bruise, but she had the grit of a fighter.
And heaven help me if I wasn’t attracted to both the dainty and the determined.
As if she could feel me staring, her head turned. Her gaze captured mine in a slip knot, pulling tighter with each knock of my heart against my ribs. The fire popped, and I blinked.
“Can I speak to you?” The heat of the flames dried my lips. “In private.”
Her fawn-colored eyes widened slightly, but she stood, told her friends she’d be right back, and walked around to join me.
“I think this is the first time you’ve ever sought me out. Usually I’m the one foisting myself on you.”
Of course she’d noticed my attempts at ducking. But… “I wouldn’t say foisting.”
We walked side-by-side away from the crowd.
“Imposing then.”
I rolled the word around in my mind. Glanced down at her then away. “Only if you’re using the word as an adjective.”
Her chin rose at an angle so she could peer up at me out of the corner of her eye. “Is it not a verb?”
I pointed toward a large oak deep in the backyard, where a bench swing hung from a sturdy branch and redirected our course. If only I could send our conversation in another route as easily. My pulse hammered at the base of my jaw. “Only the adjective describes you.”
Did that sound as hackneyed to her ears as it did mine?
“As I can’t recall the word as anything but a verb, you’ll have to enlighten me.”
I’d have an easier time castrating a full-grown bull than looking into Jocelyn’s eyes and confessing how remarkable I found her. How impressive and striking she was.
The swing groaned and swayed as Jocelyn and I lowered ourselves into the seat. “I, uh, wanted to ask a favor of you.”
“I’m listening.” She rubbed at her arms.
I hadn’t registered the chill in the night air before, but the small movements of her hands worked as a signal, kicking me into action. Leaning forward, I pulled on the sleeves of my sheepskin-lined denim jacket.
“Oh, you don’t have to—”
Something in my look caused her to press her lips together.
Taking the woolly lapels in my fingers, I draped the jacket over her shoulders and then returned to my side of the bench.
With arms crossed, she pulled the opening of the jacket closed about her, cocooning herself in the space I’d occupied only moments before.
“This is nice. Thank you.”
My tongue thickened in my mouth, and I swallowed hard. “You’re welcome.”
