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Gingerly, he picked up the comb, then thought better of using that hand and moved it to the other. Tonight was going to be the first and maybe only shot he had with Ella. Everything had to be perfect.
Banging on the bathroom door drew his attention. He glanced at the wood but opted to ignore it. Whoever it was would have to wait.
“Lucas! You’ve been in there for an hour. I have to use the bathroom.” Charlie banged on the door again. “I thought only girls were supposed to take long showers.” She groaned, and this time it almost sounded like she kicked the door before storming off.
Lucas chuckled. In a family of mostly boys, Charlie got the short end of the stick. She had to deal with not only protective brothers but realizing that hogging the bathroom wasn’t strictly a girl’s thing.
“She’s right, Lucas. You need to let some of us use the bathroom. Wade’s locked us out of the other one and I have a meeting tonight.” Mason sounded close to the door, but he didn’t show the kind of aggression their little sister exhibited. “I need to wash my hair. Can you finish getting ready in your room?”
It was harder to say no to Mason.
Lucas opened the door, resting his arm overhead on it. He smirked at his younger brother. “And what is this meeting about?”
“There’s a book signing at the library.” Mason attempted to push past Lucas but failed.
Tilting his head, Lucas chuckled. “I thought middle children were supposed to be the reckless ones.Pleasetell me this book signing is for something cool. Is it a celebrity?” His brows lifted and he dropped his arm to his side. “Or are you lying about where you’re going so I don’t tease you about it?”
Mason sighed, then darted into the bathroom. “It doesn’t matter. But if you keep me standing here, then I’m going to be late.” He attempted to push the door shut, but Lucas stopped it.
“Hey, have you seen Daniel? I wanted to ask him something.”
His little brother shook his head. “I haven’t seen him since we were doing our afternoon chores.” This time he did get the door to click shut. The sound of the lock solidified the fact that Lucas wouldn’t get another chance in that room.
The only option Lucas had for cologne was in his own room. That was fine. He kept the majority of his good stuff where his brothers couldn’t get to it. He leaned closer to the door, his voice probably sounding muffled to Mason. “So, you don’t know where he might be? I really need to talk to him.”
“Have you checked the barn? Sometimes he likes to hang out in there when he’s done for the day,” Mason called back.
Lucas chuckled at his brother’s irritation. Mason might be quiet like Daniel, but he didn’t have the same kind of patience. The world Mason lived in was very black and white.
He headed to his room. After dressing in a pair of nice jeans and a fresh t-shirt, Lucas dug around for his favorite hat. He peered at his reflection briefly before exiting. Nothing had really changed about his appearance. He had the same sharp jawline, the same eyes, the same broad shoulders—but something feltdifferent. He didn’t know how else to explain it. Whatever it was didn’t matter. The future was bright, and it would all start with his first date with Ella.
Now, if Lucas could track down Daniel, then he might be able to really win Ella’s heart. He had to make the best impression on her. It wasn’t often that a guy got to have the opportunity to date a girl who previously hated him.
Okay, she might not have hated him, but she definitely didn’t like him very much. Lucas had to figure out a way to get past her defenses and make her realize he was a good option for a possible love interest.
As he neared the barn entrance, his steps slowed. Normally when he got ready for his dates, he didn’t care if the girl liked him or not. All that mattered was that they would have a good time for one night.
With Ella, he was actually worried. He didn’t want her to have anything but a good experience. He had to ensure that he had another chance to see her again. This wasn’t about a short-term fix.
He wanted something so much more.
His heart hammered with the realization. This wasn’t fair. He’d never thought of himself as someone who would ever settle down. He’d seen his brothers do just that and it had never interested him in the slightest.
But the more he thought about Ella, the more his perspective shifted. What did that say about him? Was it possible he’d never found someone who was worth giving his whole heart to?
The way his heart seemed to thrum with a nervous acknowledgment was all the proof he needed. Spending time with Ella had done something to him he wasn’t prepared for. There was a part of his heart that had finally woken up. He could see what he’d been missing out on by dating women he had no long-term intentions for.
A refreshingly cool breeze pushed around him, drawing him back to the issue at hand. He needed to do everything in his power to keep Ella’s affections. It didn’t matter the cost; he was prepared to pay it.
Lucas strode into the barn with a renewed determination. “Daniel! Are you in here?”
The only shuffling sound he heard was that of the animals in their stalls. The horses bobbed their heads, poked them out of the stalls to stare at him, and some even nickered. But his brother didn’t respond.
Shoot. Daniel was the only one Lucas knew of who might be able to help him. Wade and Elijah would only laugh at him. He didn’t even want to consider asking Annabel for advice. “Daniel!” he shouted again.
Still no answer.
Great, now what?
