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But then that didn’t make sense considering how often he kept complimenting the way she was with Mathew. She thrived when everything made sense and her mind could place everything in little compartments.
Right now, her head was starting to hurt and her heart was beating a little faster than normal.
She folded her arms even more tightly than before, forcing herself to focus on Mathew and the job he was doing. “Next, I’m going to teach you about the saddle. Then tomorrow we’ll go for a little ride in the arena.”
Mathew gave her another smile, but he still wasn’t speaking. It would come. If Tristan was right, Mathew would have about ten weeks with her. She was confident they’d have their own form of breakthrough.
They finished up their little session and Dianna walked with Mathew back to his cabin. She hadn’t planned on it, but Mathew had tugged on Tristan’s hand and whispered something to him. Apparently, he wanted to show her something at their cabin.
They got to the house and Tristan opened the door, gesturing for them to enter. She stood in the entry area with Tristan as Mathew skedaddled off to go get whatever it was. When he returned, he had a sheet of paper in his hand.
Mathew held the paper out to Dianna and smiled broadly.
Dianna stared at the rudimentary drawing, though it was far better than most seven-year-olds could draw. It reminded her of the pictures she used to draw when she was younger. She crouched down and pointed to the image. “Did you draw this?”
He nodded.
“It’s very good, Mathew. I can tell you’re a wonderful artist.” She offered the paper back to him, but he shook his head. When she glanced up at Tristan, she found his eyes on her. Man, she wished she could read his mind. It was moments like this she wanted to know what he was thinking.
“He wants you to have it.”
Dianna blinked. “Really?”
Mathew nodded.
She smiled. “Thank you. You know, I like drawing, too. Maybe I can bringyoua picture.”
His eyes widened and Mathew nodded again.
When she got to her feet, she only briefly met Tristan’s gaze. “I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll come a little early so we can figure out what we’re going to do about his schooling.”
“I look forward to it,” he said.
Tristan opened the door for her then paused, preventing her from leaving the cabin. It was getting dark already and her family was probably eating dinner. She needed to get going if she didn’t want them to eat everything and leave her with scraps.
She stared at Tristan expectantly, hoping he would get the hint and let her get past him.
“Let me walk you to your truck.”
“That’s not necessary. I’m—”
“Mathew.” He glanced over his shoulder to where Mathew sat on the loveseat in the sitting area with a notebook and marker.
His son lifted his head and glanced in their direction.
“I’m taking Miss Callahan to her truck. Would you like to come with us?”
Mathew shook his head.
“Okay, you can stay here, but you have to stay inside.”
He nodded and settled in with his notebook once more.
Dianna opened her mouth to tell him he should just stay put, but he stepped aside, motioning for her to take the lead. She could see it in his demeanor. Tristan wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
She took a deep breath and let it out as she zipped up her coat and started down the path. They walked in silence, side by side. The tension in the air from earlier returned and she shoved her hands in her pockets to keep from fidgeting.
“I wanted to thank you,” he said.
