He glanced at Cordell, who gave him a nod. His twin hadn’t missed how close he and Bridie had stood together near the stables or how Ethan had then watched her.
Cordell bent to talk to Finn. “Hey, buddy, I’d love to see how much Bug has grown. Can you take me and Rhett to see him?”
“Yep.” Finn slipped his hand from Ethan’s and took hold of Cordell’s. “He’s in his kennel that Trinity and I painted.”
Ethan waited a moment while the trio walked around to where Bug’s brightly colored kennel sat at the back of the ranch house, and then headed for the kitchen door. Henry glanced at him as he passed. In his faded blue gaze Ethan glimpsed concern. Ethan wasn’t the only person keeping an eye on Bridie.
Ethan entered the kitchen and saw Trinity and Rhett’s tiny but strong-willed fiancée, Ivy, chatting as they prepared fresh salads. As he’d predicted, there was no sign of Bridie.
Trinity gave him a knowing grin. “If you’re looking for Bridie she headed down the hallway. Clara’s still in the library so I think she was going to see her again.”
“Thanks.”
But when Ethan entered the hallway he paused. Bridie wouldn’t have gone to the library. She’d not want her mother to see her upset and then worry. She also wouldn’t go to her room, she’d want to do something physical. Riding was out of the question, which only left pool. He turned left to head downstairs to the games room. At Grey’s Saloon she’d played for hours.
He pushed open the games room door and heard the unmistakable clunk of pool balls connecting. Pool cue in her hand, Bridie straightened and stared at him. Her eyes were huge and dark in her pinched face but her lips curved. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He stepped forward, took a pool cue from off the rack and chalked the end. “So this is why you didn’t need any help from Nick Ryan?”
She shook her head, bent close to the table and shot a ball into the corner pocket. “That’s right. I did tell him three times I was fine before my elbow had to do the talking.”
Ethan chuckled and took a shot. The ball scooted across the table and also disappeared down the pocket. “It worked. He listened to you then.”
“I know but he hasn’t since.”
Ethan frowned. “Since?”
Bridie chalked her pool cue. “He keeps texting me offering to show me around. He swears he knows every back trail and the best places to take photos of wildlife.”
“I bet he does. One of them would be Bobcat Hill the local make-out spot.”
Laughter briefly chased the shadows from her face. “And you know this how? I thought you lived at Colorado Springs?”
He chuckled. “I do when I’m not playing tour guide or doing crosswords. I happen to have passed some trucks one night at Bobcat Hill that had very steamy windows.”
“Well, I won’t be steaming up Nick Ryan’s truck windows at Bobcat Hill or anywhere else.” Her expression softened. “I’d rather wait out bears anytime.”
Ethan tightened his grip on the pool cue. He was a breath away from kissing her. But she’d come inside upset and the last thing she needed was him reaching for her. They’d also agreed that there would be no more kissing.
“Hopefully when you’re back in the mountains there’ll be no bears to wait out.”
Even to his own ears his reply sounded husky.
Her eyes searched his before she nodded, lowered her pool cue and took another shot.
“Are you thinking of heading back there soon?” he asked, knowing her answer even before she spoke.
“I wasn’t. But I am ... now.”
He silenced his offer to go with her. She’d made it clear when she’d first visited Henry she needed time in the backcountry by herself. Despite drawing closer during their days away, it wasn’t his place to intrude on her grief. No matter how much he cared for her or how desperate he was to ease her pain.
He chalked his pool cue even though it didn’t need any extra powder. “When will you go?”
“I promised to take Finn to Marietta again tomorrow so it won’t be until Sunday morning.”
“I know you can take care of yourself but be careful up there. Cordell found three elk carcasses at the back of Beargrass Hills that had been left to rot. The poachers are still around.” He risked a glance at her. Her independent spirit wouldn’t have appreciated his advice. But instead of a frown, she watched him, gaze indefinable.
He spoke again. “Rocket loves the high country so why don’t you take him with you? Henry wouldn’t mind.”
“That’s an idea. But ... can he cook apple crisps on the campfire? Can he make me smile when all I feel like doing is crying?” She stopped. The pale skin of her throat rippled as she swallowed. “Ethan would you ... could you ... come with me?”