His Outback Cowgirl(38)

He glanced at Bridie but she had her camera aimed toward the ranch house below. Tension clawed its way across his shoulders. The ridge beside them might still be Henry’s land. But the binoculars hadn’t been the old rancher’s. Someone else watched them.





Chapter Nine




Bridie slid out of the driver’s side seat and smoothed down the sleeveless denim sundress she’d bought in Marietta with Finn for her dinner with Ethan. She didn’t know if it was becoming a good or bad habit to wear something besides jeans. At least she still wore her cowgirl boots and had her riding clothes with her. She’d packed an overnight bag in case dinner at Larkspur Ridge Ranch ran late. Payton had again offered her a bed.

Bridie leant into the pickup to collect her purse and the pavlova she’d made for dessert. Her high ponytail brushed her shoulder. Trinity had straightened her curls, pulled them back and then twisted a section of hair around the band to create a stylish look.

Careful that the cream and fruit-topped pavlova didn’t slide around in its container, Bridie walked across the gravel to the front door. She dragged in a deep breath. She’d counted down the hours until she’d see Ethan again and now she was here, her stomach tied itself into knots. Spending the afternoon in the meadow with him had been pure magic and she hoped that in the light of a new day he didn’t regret what they’d shared. Her cheeks burned. She sure didn’t. She only wanted more ... more of the forever kind.

She climbed the front porch steps and unlike on her first visit to Henry’s ranch when she had to wait for the door to open, this visit it swung open before she’d rung the doorbell. Ethan slipped through the doorway closing the door behind him. Finger on his lips he took the pavlova and her purse and sat them on the porch table. Eyes dark, he tugged her close and kissed her, leaving her in no doubt he’d no regrets about yesterday.

When a chorus of barking sounded behind the closed door, he slowly pulled away, grin rueful. “Your welcoming committee has realized you’re here.”

Breathless, she returned his smile. “I’ve no complaints after the way my first welcoming committee greeted me.”

She thought he’d kiss her again but then he brushed the back of his hand across her jaw. “And the third welcoming committee is inside and having trouble with a crossword so will be very happy to see you.”

Ethan collected the pavlova and purse from off the table, before opening the door. Rocket and Milo, tails wagging, bounded out to greet her. She gave them a pat each and then they followed her down the long and wide hallway.

Henry sat at his usual table. From the rigid line of his back she knew he’d overdone it while in Bozeman. Her father used to sit the same way when he was in pain.

“Hi, Henry, thanks for having me for dinner.” On impulse, she bent and kissed his weathered cheek.

A smile overlaid his frown. “Ethan says you’re a crossword whiz?”

She glanced at Ethan as he returned from letting the dogs out the side kitchen door. He mouthed the word, “Sorry.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” she said, again looking at Henry. “But I used to do them with my dad.”

“Pull up a seat, Ethan can cool his heels before he kisses you again.”

She dared not look at Ethan. They hadn’t yet discussed when, and if, to go public with what simmered between them.

Henry chuckled as she sat opposite him. “It’s okay, it’s about time you two got your act together.”

This time she risked a glance at Ethan.

“About time was it?” Laughter lightened his blue eyes. “It’s not like you’ve been pushing us together to speed things up?” He placed a pitcher of iced water on the table. “Okay, so how did you know about the kiss? Was it me slipping Rocket and Milo a bone so they wouldn’t hear Bridie’s truck and I could see her first?”

“Nope. I missed that.” Henry winked at Bridie. “Bridie smells like that dang aftershave you’ve splashed yourself in.”

Ethan grinned and dropped a kiss on the top of Bridie’s head as he returned to the kitchen.

While Bridie helped Henry with his crossword, Ethan stirred a pot on the stove top and busied himself in the kitchen. Soon a delicious aroma made her stomach growl. She’d taken a long ride on Diablo and forgotten to have lunch.

Henry noticed her glance at the stove top and spoke in a stage whisper. “Ethan can cook but don’t let that chili beef fool you, Rosa put it on at lunch.”

Bridie whispered back. “I won’t.”

Ethan approached and shaking his head, put his hand out to Bridie and pulled her to her feet. “Okay, that’s it, insulting the cook means I get Bridie to myself for ...” He checked the stove top timer. “Ten minutes.”