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“My mom was Chuck’s younger sister by a year,” Cricket added, fiddling with her napkin. “I know no one asked, but I figured I’d tell you anyway. Her name was Sarah.” Ethan squeezed her shoulder and she winked at him, making my stomach churn.
“So how is August as a roommate?” Jonah asked.
Should I outright lie? “He’s cool,” I said truthfully but left it at that.
“Not chasing tail?” Jonah laughed.
“Maybe,” I eluded.
“I’d be willing to bet there’s no maybe about it,” Cricket said, laughing.
“He’s popular,” I gave in.
Both Jonah and Cricket laughed. Ethan shook his head.
“What about you?” Jonah asked me. “You gotta girl back home? At Brown?”
I looked straight at Cricket and grinned. “Nope. Free as a bird.” Cricket visibly swallowed. Click.
“We’ve gotta bunch of cute girls around here,” Jonah continued. “Every Saturday night except during calving season, we all go into Kalispell. You should join us then.”
“I bet the girls would be glad for a fresh face,” Ellie chimed in happily.
“I’d love that,” I said, sitting back a little, still watching Cricket, but she was ignoring me. Click.
“Are you good on a horse, son?” Emmett asked, changing the subject.
It took me awhile to turn my gaze away from Cricket. “Yes, sir,” I answered. “I used to play polo in prep school.” Our half of the table laughed. “What?” I asked, slightly offended.
“Not quite the same,” Ethan said.
I leaned a little toward him, not sure why I was letting him get to me, I was usually very schooled at playing the upper hand. “I bet I’m a little better than you think.”
He nodded as if he didn’t believe me. Let’s go, dude.
“Well, I guess we’ll just have to see then,” he added.
“You’ve got good arms and shoulders,” Ellie said, appraising me. “You’ll be handy come birthing season and that’s just around the corner.”
I exaggeratedly flexed my muscles, imitating a bodybuilder, making Ellie laugh. “Point me the direction of your nearest cow,” I joked.
She slapped the table and actually hooted. “Boy, you are cuter than a button!”
“Thanks,” I said, my cheeks feeling peculiarly warm.
Someone entered the room, another young ranch hand, but he appeared out of breath. “Emmett, we’ve got a heifer gone into labor and she’s having some trouble.”
“What in the Sam Hill!” Emmett exclaimed. “She’s two weeks early!” He stood and Cricket followed.
smirk I could tell was her signature trademark and I loved it already. God! She was feisty!
“I didn’t say anything,” I teased.
“You didn’t need to. Your eyes said it for you.”
“I’m just not accustomed to this. I eat differently is all,” I explained.
She snorted. “Okay, sushi boy, take a seat,” she jabbed, heading off toward what I assumed was the kitchen.
