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“No.” I squirmed a little in the saddle. “I just never felt comfortable with standing out.”
“But you can’t help it. It’s who you are.”
I was frowning down at Nash’s head. Kelli was right—I always stood out, no matter what I did. I didn’t try. It just happened. And I didn’t like it.
She sighed and waved a hand. “Oh, never mind. No need to get all serious about it. What about Knightley?”
“Well, it was like that with him. We could feel each other’s thoughts. He was greener than my other horse, but we got along better. The minute I touched him, I justknewhe was special.”
“Wow,” Kelli breathed. “Okay, another one.”
“Another horse story?”
“No. You said romance chemistry, and now I’m thinking about a certain cowboy. I think we have ‘it,’ but I guess I’m not sure. Any ideas for me?”
“I wish.” I frowned and fixed my eyes on Nash’s ears, bobbing and twisting as he picked up our conversation. “I don’t think I’ve ever had ‘it,’ as you say, with any guy. I don’t know. Maybe it’s not even that important, and I’m making too big of a deal out of it.”
“No way. Ineedthis to be true, or my Hallmark-loving heart will just break. Come on, you really never felt likeanyguy was special? Even after you got a chance to know him some?”
“I should. I dated enough… but… no. Not really.” I shrugged. “They all just felt the same.”
Kelli heaved a dramatic sigh. “Well, if evenyoucan’t find Mr. Right, what hope does that leave for the rest of us?”
I squinted at her. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“I mean, you’re the girl we all want to be. I tried hating you for it, but you were too nice to me, so I couldn’t even get that right.”
My ears burned hot.Thiswas exactly the sort of talk that always made me uncomfortable. “Come on. I’m not—”
“Yes, you are. Like it or not, Jess Thompkins, you’re gorgeous, inside and out. You’re smart, you’re sweet and tough and graceful. I still haven’t figured out how to walk like you do.”
“But Kelli, it’s nothing—”
“Hang on, I’m not finished. How is it that you, of all people, never ‘clicked’ with any guy? It seems like you could have something special with just about anyone because you’re so easy to be around. You don’t have my bad temper or Morgan’s stubbornness. And you’re smart enough that you have something to talk about with just about anybody. You’re just… kind of perfect.”
I stared at Nash’s ears again, my stomach knotting. Was this the way people saw me? Just easy-going Jess, never causing a ripple and always saying and doing the right thing? A pretty face with a perma-smile? They didn’t know me at all!
“Kelli, I don’t know where you’re getting any of this,” I mumbled uncomfortably. “Really. I’mnotalways nice, and you’re much more interesting than I am. I don’t have all that many friends, and I’m a big screw-up when it comes to relationships.”
She turned to me with that quirked brow and kinked her lips to the side. “We’ll see about that, Jess Thompkins. I’ll bet there are at least five guys who dream about you at night and are just waiting for you to notice them. Who knows? Maybe one of them is your knight in shining armor.”
I snorted. “There are maybe five single guys in this whole valley.”
“See? And all you need is one of them.”
“I don’t think so,” I said with a laugh and a sigh. “But you’re sweet to say it. I think, for now, I’ll just live vicariously through you and Marshall. So, got any good stories you can share?”
“Do I ever. Hope you’re not cold because I’m not going to shut up for a while.”
“Chat away!”
She did. For over an hour, while we did chores and went inside for a mug of tea, but I didn’t mind. I was much happier listening to Kelli’s romantic tangles than explaining why I didn’t have anything to talk about.
“Down, Dakota.” I walked into the living room, balancing a monster bowl of popcorn, another fresh mug of Earl Grey tea, and my favorite book under my arm. Dakota was bouncing backward, trying to see into the popcorn bowl and probably trying to trip me so I’d spill some of it for him. He was freaky smart that way.
I dropped into the couch and pulled my furry throw over my feet, then settled the popcorn bowl in my lap. “There, have some,” I said, tossing him a handful. “That’s all.”
He gobbled down my offering, then proceeded to stare at me with his mournful gaze. I gave him a stern look, and he finally heaved a sigh and turned his back on me. I patted his head, then lost myself in my hardcover copy ofEmma.
