If I stop staring at him, I won’t drool all over him.
“The sun is cutting deep into the western ridgeline. It’s going to be dark soon,” Rhett says, pointing over my shoulder.
“I love this time of the day.”
“Me too. There’s nothing quite like the dawn or dusk.”
“A ranch hand and a poet?”
“Ranch hand, poet, andincrediblelover… it’s all in an honest day’s work.”
I burst out laughing. I so didn’t see that one coming.
“You’re funny,” I say.
“So, you’re liking our little field trip so far?”
“I am. Other than my drive to Fort Worth, this is the first time I’ve been able to break from my ranch-to-work routine since I arrived. I can’t believe how beautiful Summerville is.”
“I know I’m bias, but it’s the best place in the world,” Rhett says, his eyes never leaving the road.
After we left my place, we stopped by a big-box store to buy some coal for Jenkins’s portable barbecue, extra packs of ice for another cooler Rhett brought, and a few other things we might need for the evening.
Rhett marinated some steaks for our outing.
I took care of the chicken, veggies, potato salad, sandwiches, and an assortment of one-bite tarts. I even had time to prepare muffins and Danishes for breakfast.
Now, we’re cruising down the road to an undisclosed location.
Although it’s still hot outside, I’m grateful the air conditioning in the truck works. “Is your truck considered vintage?”
“Given her age, I guess she’s vintage. But don’t discount her. Emmylou might be a little old, but she’s still going strong.”
“Your truck has a name? And she’s a girl?”
He chuckles. “She does. And she is.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Should I be jealous?”
“No need for such high octave emotions.”
I shoot him an unconvinced side-gaze.
“Emmylou is like family. She has the original factory blue paint, and all. She’s a classic. Until she’s on her last legs, I’m never getting rid of her. Thanks to her, I’m taking you on our first date.” He winks.
I uncross my arms and place my hands on my lap. “I guess Emmylou is okay.”
He chuckles.
“Since moving out here, I’ve seen more sunsets in five weeks than I have my entire life,” I say, my eyes lost in the horizon.
“It gets better. A dark sky dotted with several thousands of bright shining stars is something else.”
“I don’t get to see those too often either.”
“We’ll have to change that,” he says with a firm nod.
I’ve been on some pretty fancy dates when I was living in New York and LA, but the idea of doing something as simple as gazing at stars alongside a hot guy is so freaking sexy. It’s like crossing off a must-do item on my small-town romance bucket list.
