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Clayton stood on the steps of the courthouse, shifting from one foot to another impatiently. Why was he so nervous?
It’d been a full week since he’d visited the ranch on that snowy evening. That snowfall had melted, but a new one was coming in right behind it. It was fitting that he was seeing Georgia again on the very day the snow was rolling back in.
He spotted her cobalt blue pickup at the traffic light two full blocks up from the courthouse. As she entered the square, his heart picked up its pace. It might have been a week since he’d last seen her, but she’d occupied his thoughts every single waking minute.
Once the truck was parked, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and stared intently at the screen. He didn’t want to make it seem like he was anxious to see her. It might freak her out if she knew just how much he’d thought about her since they’d last seen each other.
When he looked up again, she was climbing the steps. He was blown away all over again. He’d spent all those years admiring her from afar. It was hard to get used to having the most beautiful girl—now woman—he’d ever seen notice him.
“Hi,” she said, smiling at him.
Her smile was tentative, her eyes slightly wary. It had been exactly a week since they’d spoken, and he was sure his text last night had caught her off guard. He’d expected her to say she couldn’t meet him at the courthouse. She had a business to run, after all. So, when she agreed, he had to mentally prepare himself for seeing her again.
“She’s inside,” he said, locking his phone screen and pocketing it. “She grabbed coffee for both of us. Hope you like iced lattes.”
Georgia’s eyes widened. “Love them. What flavor?”
Flavor? He had no idea.
“Vanilla maybe?” He shrugged. “It tasted sweet.”
To be honest, he’d barely tasted it. He’d taken a couple of sips, but his focus had been on filling Marnie in on the case while not making it obvious he had a thing for the client.
“So, this is a friend of yours from law school?” Georgia squinted up at him, even though they were well shielded from the sun right then.
Clayton nodded. “Marnie. She dated my dormmate freshman year. It didn’t work out, but she and I were both pursuing law degrees, so we became good friends. She runs a law firm in Beaver City.”
“And she drove all this way?”
Clayton shrugged. “She’s a friend.”
“Thank you.” She smiled at him and in that moment, he knew he’d do just about anything to put that smile on her face.
But he had to stay focused. He stepped back and gestured for her to go ahead, but she was still staring at him, taking in the dress pants and button-down shirt he wore.
“I’ve never seen you dressed up like this,” she said.
That wasn’t entirely true. He’d dressed up plenty of times for proms, funerals, weddings… They’d both been in the room at those things, so surely she’d seen him more dressed up than this.
But that would’ve required her to actually look at him. Since she seemed to avoid it at all costs, that wasn’t likely.
“Cowboy boots aren’t really appropriate for the courthouse,” he said.
He wished they were. He felt like he represented Cupid Ridge best when he wore a Stetson and his favorite pair of boots. Judge Page didn’t agree, though, so he had to go a little more buttoned-up than he preferred.
Clayton managed to grab the door and hold it for her, following her inside. He had to resist the urge to put his hand on her elbow and steer her to the left as soon as they entered. In fact, he found himself overwhelmed with the urge to touch her arm or shoulder, maybe trace her jawline with his thumb as he pulled her into a long, sweet but passionate kiss.
“Which way?” Georgia stopped, looking over at him.
He’d meant to at least guide her with his voice. His thoughts had gotten away from him.
“This way.” Clayton again gestured, taking a deep breath to catch his composure. “But wait.”
She paused, looking back at him. He nodded to indicate a coat tree set up just inside the door. When court was in session, it was covered in coats, not a free hook in sight. Today, it was empty.
After hanging their coats on the rack, he followed her down the corridor. They were set up in the first room on the left, so it wasn’t far to walk.
His friend Marnie stood as they entered. As always, she had a warm smile that immediately put everyone in the room around her at ease—a trait that worked well for an attorney meeting a client for the first time.
