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I pushed aside old memories of us and pulled myself together, reminding myself why I had come here in the first place.
My gaze shifted to the ranch workers beside her. They were watching us closely. I realized that it was best to have this conversation alone with Anna, away from prying eyes and ears.
“Anna, can we talk in private for a moment?”
My voice came out lower than I intended, betraying my emotions. I cringed.
She didn’t waver, didn’t step back. Instead, she raised an eyebrow with her infuriatingly calm demeanor. Planting one hand defiantly on her hip, her chin tilted just so. Everything about her posture screamed, ‘I’m waiting.’
“Why did you come to visit today?” she asked in a teasing tone, but her eyes were guarded.
The way she asked so casually pushed my button. Her action, simple yet so laden with challenge, added fuel to the slow-burning fire inside me. Heat rose within me.
But I couldn’t let her get to me, so I bit back a quick retort. The best way to win Anna over was to convince her that I was genuine.
I cleared my throat.
“Look, I have something important to say. And I’d rather not have others hear it,” I said, my eyes flickering to the ranch workers. “I came to talk to you, Anna. Alone.”
Her eyes followed mine, then she gestured for me to come with her.
There was stillness in the ranch house as I followed Anna inside. It contrasted sharply with the tension between us, which felt like two magnets pushing against each other, neither yielding.
I looked around. The rustic charm of the place hadn’t changed. Every creak of the floorboard, every soft rustle of the window curtain brought a flood of memories.
Anna, herself, moved with grace. The sway of her hips stirred something deep within me. I recalled warmer days when I could feel the softness of her skin pressed against mine. I caught the soft scent of her hair. It still smelled like wildflowers like when we were teenagers.
I shook my head to snap out of my thoughts.
“Coffee?” She broke the silence, her voice wavering. She didn’t look at me.
I managed a curt nod.
“Sure, thanks.”
As she busied herself, I took the opportunity to study her. The shape of her face, those eyes were still the same. But her posture spoke volumes: upright, protective, determined.
Pouring two mugs, she handed one to me. At that moment, our fingers brushed, and a jolt of electricity shot up my spine. My pulse quickened. Every ounce of my being was hyper-aware of her presence.
Focusing on the warmth of the ceramic and the rich aroma of the coffee instead, I took a sip. Perfect, as always.
“You remember how I like my coffee,” I said, trying to cut through the tension.
She nodded. “There are some things I just can’t forget.”
That statement warmed my heart. However, I needed to broach the topic. Taking another sip, I began. “Anna, let me help with the ranch.”
She laughed, a sound I once loved but now felt like a slap. Her gaze was defiant.
“Why, Max? You think I can’t handle it?”
“That’s not…”
She held up her hand, silencing me.
“Why now?”
“Because I want to help you save the ranch.”
