Page 246 of Josephine and Clay

With Josie, I keep looking for reasons to stay longer.

"I used to come here when I was younger," I hear myself say.

She looks over. "Yeah?"

I nod. "When I couldn't stand being at the ranch."

A small smile touches her mouth. "I've heard a few stories."

"Those are probably the edited versions."

We spend another hour by the water, talking and laughing.

Every now and then I catch myself looking at her and thinking the same thing. She's here with me, and every time I think it, I have to stop myself from grinning.

My phone buzzes against my thigh.

I pull it out and glance at the screen.

Brandon.

That gets my attention. It’s been a while.

"Everything okay?" Josie asks.

I look up to find her watching me. "Yeah."

The answer comes a little too fast.

Her eyes narrow. I've watched her diagnose half-ton animals with less scrutiny.

I flip the phone over and slide it back into my pocket.

"Who was it?"

"Brandon."

"Rodeo Brandon?"

I nod.

A flicker crosses her face before she smooths it away.

The phone buzzes again.

Same number.

I hit silence.

Josie's gaze drops to my pocket. "You should probably answer that."

"I'll call him back."

She turns toward the lake, resting her forearms against the railing. "If it's important, I don't mind."

A few weeks ago, I wouldn't have thought twice about a call like this. I'd have stepped away, taken the conversation, and figured out the details later.

Now I'm standing beside a woman in a blue dress, and the last thing I want is to spend the evening talking rodeo contracts.