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“I have to be,” she said. “It’s my job.”
She handed her phone over, but as his hand took it, she hesitated. They stood there like that for a moment, and then he said, “You don’t have to give it to me if you don’t want to.”
She offered something that could have been a laugh and let go. “Sorry. It’s just—I’m a judge.”
“I noticed,” he said, typing in his information. “When you sentenced me.”
“That’s right. I did that. Well, it makes dating a little … tricky. I can’t get any kind of reputation. That sounds sexist and stupid. That’s because itissexist and stupid. But it’s a small town. It’s Montana. And my parents live here. This thing isn’t going to go the way you think.”
“I told you,” he said, handing back her phone. “I haven’t dated in more than fifteen years. I don’t know what I’m doing myself. No expectations.”
She had her head a bit on one side now and was studying him. That could’ve made him nervous. It didn’t. “But you wanted to kiss me.”
“Well, yeah. Doesn’t mean I’m going to, though. Not unless you want to.”
“Maybe we could try it,” she said. “And see.”
There was his heart, speeding up bang on cue. “Now?”
“Well, maybe with less of an audience,” she said. “In case one of us makes some bonehead move.”
He was still laughing when she got into the ute and slammed the door.
Date One, done.
He might be more “working dad” than “cocky Aussie” now, and he might have more baggage than a luggage store, but they’d manage it together, maybe.
Feel their way.
11
THE PRINCIPAL
Once again, Beckett wasn’t dressed for a date.
That was because, once again, he wasn’t sure itwasa date. Or maybe it was because the “date” involved going to somebody’s house and hanging out with their kids.
“You sure?” he’d asked Quinn yesterday after Troy’s second swim lesson—during which he’d got into the water, which was progress even if Troy had hung onto the side through the whole lesson. He couldn’t believe Quinn had managed it. “We could—dunno. Go for a hike, maybe. A bike ride. I don’t have a bike here, but I could rent one.”
She finished toweling herself off, which was a sight to see. She’d said that bloke hadn’t liked her breasts. Her breasts were just bloody fine, especially in a wet swim costume, and so was the rest of her. Especially those thighs, and the absolutely smooth area above them revealed by the high-cut costume. She waxed, he was betting. He guessed most female swimmers did, but on her …
It was that horizontal tan line. He might be getting a bit obsessed.
She straightened, shoved her hair back, showing off a toned, tanned arm, and said, “I was about the sportiest kid you could hope to meet, and when I was five and my parents took my brother and me for a hike, I mostly remember lots of whining.”
“Aussie kids don’t whine much.”
“Well, let’s ask them,” she said. Before he could do that, she went over there and did it herself, of course. “What do you guys think?” she asked. “Go hiking with your dad and me tomorrow, or a bike ride, or go hang out at my friend Roxanne’s house with her kids? They’ve got a big trampoline, and an enormous sort of rope net for climbing, and a bunch of other outdoor things, but if you’d rather hike …”
“The rope net, please,” Troy said. He was shivering inside his towel, and Beckett put his arm around him.
“How old are the kids?” Janey asked.
“About your age,” Quinn said. “At least the older two are. They’re twins, and there’s a girl about your age, Troy. You could bring your friend, too, Janey, if you like. It’s really a very big yard.”
“Are they nice?” Troy asked.
“They’re very nice,” Quinn said.
