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Her laughter rang through the night. It was unexpected with a sweet, haunting melody.
“Curiosity killed the cat.”
“And satisfaction brought it back,” I retorted.
Her smile faded. Her eyes searched mine with an intensity that drew me to her. I could practically hear the gears turning in her head, pondering whether to share.
“I made a decision, but I might change my mind. Let’s just say I haven’t come to a final decision just yet.”
“And you came all the way here to stare at the ranch undecidedly?” I teased, my voice drenched in playful mockery.
A tiny spark of amusement lit her eyes. I couldn’t help but remember the laughter we used to share.
“Something like that.”
“You should make up your mind soon, you know?”
“Should I?”
I looked away and stared around me. We were in the part of Marfa where acres of land were ranches. The scorching sun and heat had given way to a rapidly cooling night.
“Of course,” I said. “If you make up your mind, things will be easier.”
It would be easier to know my best course of action. To know if there was any way I could win Anna’s heart back. And most importantly to own her ranch, even if that meant breaking her heart all over again.
Joe returned with the battery and handed it over to me. Silence fell between us, wrapping around us like a blanket. My hand worked expertly, inserting the battery.
But my thoughts were still on the Harrington Ranch piece of land. It would fit perfectly with my own, a match made from heaven.
“I can help you figure it out,” I offered casually, trying to keep the eagerness from my voice.
Her eyebrows arched suspiciously.
“Really?”
A laugh escaped my lips.
“Yeah, really. I know a thing or two about ranches.”
Of course, she knew my father owned a ranch.
What she didn’t know was that I’d learned a lot about ranches after that fateful summer. She also didn’t know my father had willed the ranch to me and everything was now mine.
She eyed me, considering, then frowned. I could practically see the walls around her heart rise higher.
“I’ll think about it,” she finally said, voice low and contemplative.
“You do that.”
With a final glance, she stepped back, allowing me to close the hood of the car.
“I fixed it for now. But you might want to get it checked out when you get the chance,” I said.
“I’ll return your battery once I fix mine.”
“No, you don’t have to.”
“Or maybe I should pay for it.”
