“Yes. He let me borrow some skates and he showed me what to do. He helped me learn to have fun. The girls at the house said I needed to learn how. I suppose they’re right. I haven’t had that much amusement for a long time.”
“You like him.”
She didn’t say anything for a minute, stunned by the statement, but also the truth of it. And the way he looked at her while they were skating had made those butterflies tickle her belly. More than once. “I do. He seems like a genuinely nice man. Kind. Solicitous. Charming. And not at all like my grandmother said.”
“What did she say?”
“That men couldn’t be trusted, but I think she’s wrong. I think they can.”
“Of course they can. I’d trust Ben with my life. Actually, I did trust him with my life.” She briefly spoke of an incident when she had been held hostage and Ben helped to rescue her. “You’ll have to come out to the ranch and meet my family.”
“Your family owns a ranch?”
“We do. Montaña del Trueno. That’s where I grew up. It isn’t far from here.” She grinned. “Do you ride?”
“I do, though I haven’t for a long time.”
“That’s fine. I have just the horse for you. Her name is Clementine. She’s very gentle.” Lucy took a sip of her coffee. “Please say you’ll come. You’ll adoreTiaEvie and her husband, Jake. You’ll like the rest of the family, too. I know they would love to meet you.”
Pleased by the invitation, she was still reticent to meet a whole family. But really, how many could there actually be? And if she wanted to stay in Serenity, she’d have to meet them eventually. If they were warm like Lucy, it shouldn’t be too uncomfortable. “I think I’d like that. Thank you.”
“Good.” That twinkle of mischief was back in Lucy’s eyes, making her a little suspicious. “How about this Saturday? Ben and I will pick you up. Let’s say four-thirty?”
“I…yes, that would be lovely. Thank you again.”
CHAPTER 7
“Wyatt!”
Wyatt heard his name called as he stepped out of Sullivan’s and turned quickly to see Teddy Silva and his wife, Esmeralda, striding toward him. He placed his purchase in the back of the buckboard, then turned.
He greeted Esmeralda first, kissing her on the cheek. “You’re looking as beautiful as ever.” The woman blushed, as he knew she would. “How are the children?”
“You’d hardly recognize them, Wyatt. They’re growing up so fast.”
“Children do that, whether you want them to or not.” He stuck out his hand toward Teddy. “How ya doin’, Teddy?”
“I’m doing well.” Teddy smiled and nodded down the street to his sister and brother-in-law’s house. “We just came from Lucy’s.”
Wyatt’s smile faded, just a bit. Had they discussed him? Had Lucy told both Teddy and Esmeralda that he’d approached her to find him a wife? He mentally shook himself. No, Lucy would not betray a confidence. He was just being ridiculous. He knew it, but still…he had agreed to come by Lucy’s and he hadn’t yet.
“Come out to the ranch for dinner.” Teddy said, a gleam in his eyes. “The family would love to see you. It’s been too long.”
“I’d like that. When?”
“Saturday. Come by around four. I have a couple of colts and fillies I’d like you to look at.”
Wyatt nodded, since he enjoyed being with the Silvas at the ranch. The house, with so many people, was usually noisy and so much different than his own home, especially after his mother and Royce left after a visit. His voice echoed in the rooms with them not there. “Thanks for the invitation.”
“We should be going. We still have errands to run.” Esmeralda tucked her hand into the crook of Teddy’s arm as she looked up into his face. There was so much love in her expression, Wyatt pulled in his breath. He wanted someone to look at him that way.
“Right.” Teddy gazed down at his wife, his dark eyes reflecting the same love for her, then glanced up at him. “We’ll see you Saturday.”
“I look forward to it.”
He watched them walk away, Teddy’s head tilted toward hers as he listened intently to whatever it was she said. He replied, something that made her laugh, the sound carrying to where Wyatt stood. He tensed, a bit envious. They had what he wanted. What he’d always wanted.
He climbed into his buckboard and headed toward Lucy’s home. He was knocking at her door in less than ten minutes.
