His Outback Cowgirl(14)

Then she blinked. Her hands slipped from his shoulders. Chin angled, she leant back and waited for him to step away before holding up her foot.

“Okay cowboy, do your thing.”

His fingers curled around the heel of her boot. “Hold on.”

This time when he tugged, the cowgirl boot shifted. Another tug and it slid off her small foot.

“Success.” He sat the boot beside her on the bench. “Now for the other one.”

Again it only took two tugs and the second boot slipped free.

Before he could set it beside her, or help her down, Bridie wriggled forward and off the bench.

“Thanks.” Without looking at him, she placed both boots on the floor before heading for the door. “That coffee sure smells good.”

Ethan didn’t follow. He flexed his hands that suddenly felt empty now they didn’t hold her. He didn’t need coffee to chase the chill from his bones. Just being within kissing distance of Bridie had fired his blood.

He scrubbed his palm over his face.

How was he going to survive two days alone with her? The clash of their temperaments was suddenly the least of his worries.

He never rushed in. Not when buying new boots, a new stud bull or even a new pickup. But now an unfamiliar and insane part of him wanted to throw caution to the mountain winds and start something with Bridie ... something that wasn’t steady or sensible.





Chapter Four




The doorbell of Paradise Books tinkled as Bridie and five-year-old Finn entered the Marietta bookstore. Bridie breathed in the smell of new books that always made her happy. She might find it hard to sit still but when it came to reading she could stay in a single spot for hours. Some of her earliest memories were of being tucked into her warm bed and having her mother read to her. It seemed her brother had passed on such a gift to his son, especially when it came to books on insects.

Finn tugged at her hand and dragged her toward a table on which bright picture books were displayed.

“Afternoon, Lesley,” she said to the bookstore owner as Finn towed her past the counter behind which Lesley sat reading.

Lesley looked over the top of her glasses and smiled. “It looks like you’re on a mission, Finn Nash?”

“I am.”

Lesley’s smile widened and Bridie shared her pleasure. Finn had used his words to answer instead of a nod. Zane and Trinity were working hard to encourage shy and anxious Finn to talk more.

“Look, Dee, here’s a bug book.”

Bridie’s heart warmed at the pet name her adorable nephew had given her. She’d grown up as an only child and still couldn’t believe she was now part of a bigger family. It had always been her wish to one day have a large family of her own. “It sure is, and it’s a book about ants. I don’t think you have one of these in your collection?”

“I think you’re right.” Lesley came to stand beside them, her grey curls in their usual lopsided topknot. “You must have a book on almost every bug there is by now?”

Bridie grinned. “And I think we’ve read almost every one together haven’t we, Finn?”

“Yep.” He let go of Bridie’s hand to reach for the ant book. He turned it over to look at the picture on the back cover, before holding it up for Bridie to see. “You could take a picture of my ant farm to go in our book?”

“That’s a good idea.” She glanced at Lesley. “I’ve been taking photographs of bugs and Finn and I are putting them into our own book.”

Lesley’s hazel eyes sparkled behind the thick lenses of her glasses. “Yes, I heard you enjoyed taking pictures. I also heard you’re going into the mountains with Ethan to photograph the wildlife.”

Bridie shifted on her feet. It seemed it didn’t matter if she was in a rural outback town or a Montana mountain community, the grapevine worked just as efficiently.

“Yes, you heard right. I’m hoping we’ll leave tomorrow. I’m just waiting for Ethan to let me know when we’re good to go.”

“Well, the weather should be clear for the next few days.” Lesley’s smile dimmed. She glanced at Finn who was already up to page three in his book. “I know your mom says you can look after yourself but ... be careful. I’ve had two customers in the past two weeks mention ... poachers.”

Finn’s head suddenly lifted, his blue eyes round. Bridie ruffled his dark hair. “It’s okay. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

“You will be with Ethan around,” Lesley said softly, turning away so Finn wouldn’t hear her. “Ethan might look mild-mannered but those Taylor boys won’t ever rustle another Paradise Valley cow thanks to him and Cordell.”