Page 14 of All in with the Maverick Montana

Amy leaned into the hold she still had on his arm. “I suppose that’s reasonable. I don’t think I’d be in any shape to refuse you in those particular circumstances.”

“Glad you see it my way,” Josh said. He looked over and she studied the way his hair parted, falling in soft waves on either side of his forehead. It was more than long enough to run her fingers through, and her mind wandered. She thought about the way it would feel to tangle her hands in it before she reeled herself in. She was already fighting dizziness, no need to make it any worse. His brown eyes studied her in return. Amy watched the way they crinkled, the lines by his eyes holding something like mischief.

Back at the store, Faith had given her the impression that Josh was a quiet man. The kind who kept to himself. But looking at him now, she was starting to think that Josh was anything but quiet. He expressed himself in a multitude of little ways—the curl of his smile, his narrowing gaze, the way he cocked his head at her, the way his thumb stroked her forearm. Amy thought Josh was saying an awful lot. Most people were probably just too busy to notice.

They reached the porch steps, and Amy thought Josh might leave her there, but he inclined his head toward the door. “We’re going all the way,” he said. “I don’t intend to cross Faith.”

“Probably for the best. You already had her in a fit over those sheep shears.”

“Exactly. You wouldn’t want me to face her wrath again so soon?”

“I see now why you offered to drive me. Trying to stay on her good side.”

Josh looked over at her, his lips twisted. “I wasn’t really after sheep shears,” he admitted as they walked up the steps to the door.

“I figured,” Amy said. She fumbled with her house key, finally getting it in the lock. “Seemed like a jump to go from cattle rancher to sheep rancher.”

“Well, it’s for the best probably. And I suppose I got what I wanted in the end anyway.”

“But you left empty-handed.”

“Not quite.”

Amy’s head snapped up, gazing into those brown eyes, and her breath caught. He couldn’t mean… She stumbled against the doorframe. Great. Now she was dizzy all over again. There was no mistaking the fluttering in her chest this time. Nerves and adrenaline and excitement and… Who are you to make me feel like this, Josh Aventura?

He leaned toward her, huffing a laugh. “Thought you were perfectly fine.”

Amy reached between them, turning the doorknob and shoving it open. “Might have spoken too soon.”

“Where do you—” Josh started to say.

Amy pointed to the plush couch in the living room. It was soft fabric and swallowed her as Josh deposited her onto the cushions. She sank back with a heavy sigh.

“I think you’re a little worse than you’re letting on,” Josh said.

“I’m really not,” Amy tried to assure him. “It’s just coming in waves. I’ll be fine in a minute, after some rest.” She touched the back of her hand to her forehead. Despite the weird cluster of symptoms, she really didn’t feel sick. But she was clearly going to have to make sure she ate a proper breakfast in the mornings. She was getting older. Maybe her body was changing and telling her to take better care of herself. Maybe she was going to have to start eating Faith’s turkey bacon. She wrinkled her nose.

Josh turned and headed for the door.

“Thank you!” Amy called after him, scrambling to sit up. “For the ride and for…well, everything.” She wished she had the energy to work up more of a thank-you. She should at least offer him something to drink for his troubles, but she didn’t have it in her. And that was a shame because she really liked talking to Josh. Amy ran a hand through her hair. Damn Faith and her need to interfere. She hadn’t even gotten around to asking Josh out for coffee yet, and after today she wasn’t sure she ever would.

He’d obviously had more than enough of her. Probably couldn’t wait to get back in his truck and flee to his ranch.

She heard the door close, but to her surprise, Josh was still standing there. Oh. He toed out of his boots, then turned to face her. “Where’s the kitchen?” he asked, lifting his hand to gesture down the hall. “Through here?”

Oh! Amy propped herself up a little more. She could do this. If Josh wanted to stay a minute, she could rally. “Would you like something to drink? Can I get you—”

Josh was by her side in an instant, settling her back into the cushions. He wedged one of Faith’s fancy, frilly pillows behind her back. “Don’t get up,” he said. “Just make yourself comfortable.”

Amy smirked up at him. He was so close she could count the dark stubble on his cheeks and chin. “I think you stole my line.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “You might be surprised to hear it, but I actually know my way around a kitchen pretty well. And before I go, you at least need some water. Maybe you’re just dehydrated.”

“Josh, I can get it. Really. Please don’t trouble yourself.”

“Sit,” he said in that gruff way of his. It sounded like an order. “I won’t take any arguing.”

Amy frowned after him as he made his way to the kitchen. She felt odd, having Josh wait on her in Faith’s house, but she didn’t want to offend him after he’d gone out of his way to help her. Plus, a silly little part of her liked that she got to indulge in his company for a little while longer. She sank back, listening to cupboard doors open and close. She could hear him puttering around, shifting glasses, and then the squeak of the sink tap. When he returned to the living room, he had a tall glass of water in his hand.