Flirting with Love(12)
She thrust her palms out. “See? If only everyone could be like you. I was at Wynchels’ Farm this morning—thank you, by the way. I loved the whole setup there. They have six dogs. Did you know that?”
“Sure. I take care of them.”
“Of course you do. Sorry.” She smiled again. “Anyway, Barney, this big lovable mutt, had matted fur and the others were caked with mud. Wren said that grooming was a waste of time. A waste of time, like the dogs aren’t worth the twenty minutes it takes to give them even a quick brushing. I would like to know how she’d feel if she wasn’t able to brush her hair. Ever.”
Knight settled his head between his paws and stretched his nose between them.
“I hate to tell you this, but that’s probably going to be the majority of what you’re met with. These are farmers and ranchers. Their issues revolve around putting food on the table and making sure the livestock is fed and cared for. They don’t have a lot of extra money for pet pampering and doggy cupcakes.”
The light in her eyes dimmed. He placed his hand on hers without thinking of the way that touch might stir his attraction even more…which it did.
“Elisabeth, what did you think you were going to do? Come here and start up the same business you had in LA without any reluctance from residents?” He watched her eyes dart away, and he curled his fingers beneath her palm to let her know he understood. She probably felt lonely after discovering Trusty was a town where outsiders were met with careful consideration, trust was earned, and friendships were, too.
“I’m not sure,” she said honestly, her eyes trained on their hands. “I guess I’ve wanted to be in Trusty for so long that I didn’t think I wouldn’t be able to make it.” She met his gaze with a different smile. A determined one. “I’m going to make this work. Even if I can’t do exactly the same work I did before, I’ll figure it out. Maybe no one will buy pupcakes or pawdicures, but I’m sure a handful will go for pet grooming. I’ll adapt.”
“I don’t doubt that one bit.”
“Well, I’ve already made these flyers, so I don’t want to waste them. Hopefully, it won’t be a turnoff to see pet pampering instead of grooming.”
“I hope you’re right.” But don’t hold your breath. “Before I forget, I spoke to Tate and he can pick up your aunt’s van tomorrow morning. Do you still want him to?”
Knight yawned and Ross stroked his neck.
“Wow, that was quick.” She drew her brows together. “Yeah, I would. I need to start making things happen. Out with the old ideas, in with the new. Thank you for taking care of that. That was really nice of you.”
His phone vibrated, and he read the text from Emily. Bring dessert. He had no idea what possessed him to do what he did next, but the words came before he could think them through.
“Do you have dinner plans?”
“Wha—dinner?” She shrugged and touched the ends of her hair, then just as quickly stopped. “No, not really.”
“I’m heading to dinner with my mother and Emily. Want to come along?”
Her eyes grew serious.
“No pressure. Not a date, just a…neighborly dinner.”
Her gaze softened again. “Oh, darn,” she teased, as they both rose to their feet.
And there they were again, standing so close he could see flecks of yellow in her eyes. Oh, darn didn’t even begin to touch on his thoughts.
“Are you sure I won’t be intruding?”
Ross smiled at her consideration. “My sister told me to bring dessert.”
She sucked in a breath. He liked that reaction, a whole hell of a lot. “Ah, so Cali girl has a dirty mind. I hate to disappoint you, but I’m not that kind of guy.” He knew she wouldn’t expect him to tease her about having a dirty mind, or by saying he wasn’t that kind of guy in as serious of a tone as he could muster, but he couldn’t help himself. He was a man, after all, and Elisabeth was tugging at every sensual nerve in his body. He let the words settle in, and her cheeks pinked up again. Watching her squirm only turned him on even more. Damn, he liked that way more than he should.
“Oh. Um.” Great, and there she was thinking he was making a sexy double entendre.
He stepped a little closer and heard her draw in a breath and hold it. “Elisabeth, it’s dinner with my mother and sister. No pressure. No expectations. Oh, and I’d like to buy one of your pies to bring along with us for dessert.”
He might not have expectations, but he sure as hell wanted to be with her. Who knows? Maybe they’d have their own private dessert later in the evening.
Chapter Six
ROSS’S MOTHER’S HOUSE was built at the top of a ridge overlooking the Colorado Mountains. The large cedar and stone house had many large windows, a wide front porch, and was surrounded by acres of green grass and gardens bursting with colorful flowers.
Ross put a hand on Elisabeth’s arm as they climbed the porch stairs. As if her nerves weren’t already on fire. No pressure. No expectations. Yeah, she was so hoping for a deep relationship, not just a physical one, and his big hand on her arm amplified her secret desires. She carried a strawberry-apricot pie she’d made that morning, and Ross carried a bouquet of flowers he’d bought for his mother along the way. His thoughtfulness made her like him even more.
He reached for the doorknob and hesitated. “Have you actually met Emily?”
“Not in person yet. We’ve just spoken over the phone.”
He smiled, and his eyes lit with mischief as he pushed open the door.
“Ross?” A woman’s voice came from the kitchen, followed by fast footsteps. Elisabeth recognized Emily from her Facebook page as she ran into Ross’s arms. She looked tiny against him. Her long brown hair was a shade darker than Ross’s and curtained her face as she hugged him tight. “I’m so glad you made it.”
Ross held her up with one arm, and when he slid her feet to the floor, he turned toward Elisabeth. “Em, this is Elisabeth Nash.”
Emily’s brows knitted together. She looked from Elisabeth to Ross, and a slow smile lifted her lips. “How did I miss you standing there? I’m so sorry. Hi. I’m Emily.” She hugged Elisabeth, and as she drew back, recognition widened her eyes. “Elisabeth Nash? Cora’s niece?”
“The one and only. We spoke on the phone.”
Emily reached for the pie and looped her arm through Elisabeth’s with a wide smile, then dragged her toward the kitchen. Elisabeth’s nervousness disappeared.
“How do you know Ross?”
“He kind of saved my piglet from starving, and we’re neighbors.” She glanced back at Ross, who had a satisfied grin on his lips as he followed them down the hall.
“Mom, this is Elisabeth, with an S. She came with Ross.”
Emily had been so welcoming that she immediately put Elisabeth at ease. Hearing the consideration she’d given her name made Elisabeth feel even more comfortable, and like she wasn’t some form of an alien. She wondered if all of the Bradens were as warm as she and Ross.
Their mother had her back to Elisabeth. She had hair the color of Emily’s, like Dove chocolate, and it hung below her shoulders. When she turned, it was easy to see where Emily’s and Ross’s looks came from. They shared her full lips and welcoming smile.
“Elisabeth, I’m so sorry to hear about your aunt. Cora was a lovely woman, and I miss her dearly.” Their mother hugged her. “I’m Catherine, by the way, and it’s a pleasure to see you. I haven’t seen you since you were probably ten or eleven.”
“You knew me then?” She didn’t remember Catherine.
“Yes. I’m not surprised that you don’t remember me. I met you a few times over the summers.” Catherine touched Elisabeth’s hair. “You still have the most beautiful hair.”
“Thank you.” She glanced at Ross as he folded his mother into his arms.
“Hi, Mom. These flowers are for you.”
His mother touched his cheek. “You’re so thoughtful. Thank you, Ross.” She took the flowers as Ross grabbed a vase from a top cabinet in the kitchen.
“I didn’t know that you knew Elisabeth,” Catherine said.
“We just met, actually. Em said to bring dessert, and Elisabeth makes pies.”
Emily laughed. “Oh, please. You expect me to believe that you brought Elisabeth for her pie?”
Ross touched Elisabeth’s shoulder and looked at her in a way that made her insides shiver. “I brought Elisabeth because she’s just moved into town, and she’s my neighbor.”
She felt a wave of disappointment. She didn’t know why. It wasn’t like he’d given her any real reason to hope for more.
“And because I wanted to,” Ross added, at the same time he squeezed her shoulder.
Her stomach fluttered and she gave him a curious look, which he caught and answered with a sensual narrowing of his eyes. She remembered how calmly Ross had taken charge of the chaos that ensued when she’d brought the piglet into his office, and she wondered if he was always so calm and in control or if he let loose in the bedroom.
Holy crap. What am I doing?
She wondered if anyone else felt the air between them catch fire.