“Do you think so?” Shit, I asked that way too fast. “I mean, honestly. You’re not teasing? You know I’m so shitty at this stuff.”
I blame the years I spent in my room with books and journals. Somehow, I missed the socializing of children that instills the skills of recognizing flattery or attraction.
“I know it’s his job to market and sell us, but he didn’t haveto make it so…romantic.” Gunner tucks the phone back into his pocket. “Do you like him?”
“I know I shouldn’t. He’s only here for the season.”
“So that’s a yes.”
“Of course it’s a yes! He’s got these incredible eyes, and I like how he’s so confident in everything. He’s—” Gunner grins so wide you could count his teeth from space. “What?”
“Nothing!” He laughs softly. “You’ve just never talked about someone with this much enthusiasm before. It’s okay to want things, you know. Even when you think it might be temporary.” He pauses as his normally piercing blue eyes dim. “Sometimes, temporary is what we need. Or sometimes things change, and it’s permanent. Both can be good.”
Together we walk toward my truck. I need to run to town over lunch and pick up a package for the ranch at the post office. Gunner says it’s likely the new T-shirts ordered for the camp kids.
When I get to my truck, a note sits tucked under my wiper, and I grab it while Gunner talks about possibly hanging out one night for beer and burgers before we get too busy. I figure the note is probably Jesse giving up on calling me, but it’s not from him at all.
“Oh, shit.” I read the note a second time, just to be sure I understand, and turn to Gunner. “It’s a note from Ethan.”
Gunner grins. “Can I say I told you so? What does it say?”
“Um, he wants to know if I want to grab a beer tonight. He doesn’t have my number.”
Gunner holds up his hands and steps back. “Don’t worry about my invite, Colt. You should go.”
“Do you think so?”
“I know so. He might just want a friend. We can all use more friends.” He stuffs his hands into his pockets with a small smile. “Or he’s lonely out here and wants company. Either way, do it for yourself. You like him.”
I do like Ethan. Maybe more than I should.
“I’ll get the package and think about it.”
Gunner nods. “See you when you’re back then.”
The notefrom Ethan is now memorized and sits folded in my pocket.
Somehow, I made it through the day, and I’ve decided Gunner is right; I should take a step and try to at least make a friend. Uncle Albert told me once that even baby steps count as moving forward. I think I’d rather move forward slowly than run off a cliff. Just seems safer that way.
With a nod to myself, I bring my knuckles to the front door of the guesthouse. Ethan opens it before my arm is back at my side.
“I was wondering if there was a record for how long you’ve stood on a porch step before.” Ethan smiles at me and motions me in.
Oh, god, he was watching me. I’ve already stepped inside. It’s not like I can hide anywhere now. “Sorry.”
“For what? You had to work up the courage to knock. I get it.”
The guesthouse is neat and tidy, with the kitchen table clearly Ethan’s workspace. Stacks of brochures and magazines sit in neat piles along with a notebook and pencil. His laptop cord runs across the floor to a nearby outlet, and it’s the cord he takes care of before he gestures for me to have a seat on the couch.
“You seem like you’re busy.”
Ethan smiles effortlessly. “I’ve been inspired, and when an idea hits, I run with it.”
“You put me on the Instagram thing.”
He bites his lip as he sits on the opposite end of the couch. “I didn’t use your face or your shirtless body. Jesse said all the staff were okay with being on social media.” That’s true. Jesse asked us all before this started, and we signed permission as long as it was promoting the ranch. “But I also sense you’re a private guy, and I don’t want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”
“Not uncomfortable. Just…I don’t know. Maybe in disbelief. What you wrote was very nice.”
