When It's Right(45)

Give the man credit, his gaze remained steady on her face and didn’t dip to her chest once.

“I’ll have to remember that,” Blake teased, making her cheeks and ears flame.

Two could play this game. “I’d like to see you buy me underwear.”

Damn the man. She should have known better than to dare him. He walked over to a pretty bra and panty set of cream satin with pink lace trim, found her size, and pulled it off the rack.

“Well, now, Blake’s usually the one issuing dares,” Mandy said.

Gillian didn’t understand the shame and regret that filled Blake’s eyes before he abruptly walked over to the cash register two over from her grandparents. He probably didn’t want them to see what he was buying. Still, it didn’t explain the look. Buying underwear wouldn’t embarrass him.

“Never dare a cowboy,” Mandy said, smirking like an idiot, completely oblivious to whatever bothered Blake.

“If you don’t mind, I think I’ve got this.”

“Sure thing.” Mandy flitted away to help another customer in the shoe department.

Gillian grabbed what she wanted and needed and headed toward the cash register.

Blake walked over, carrying a white bag by the string handles. “For you.”

“Why don’t you wear it?”

“Not my color. Besides, it will look better on you.”

“What will look better on you?” her grandfather asked.

The color drained from Blake’s face. He opened his mouth to answer, but she chimed in. “The pretty scarf I saw on a mannequin. Blake bought it for me to welcome me to the ranch.” She snatched the bag from Blake and held it to her belly. “Thank you.” Her grandfather’s earlier warning came back that Blake’s job was on the line if he did something out of line. She didn’t want to get him in trouble. She’d dared him. Her fault he’d had no choice but to take it.

“Well, okay.” Her grandfather eyed Blake, who kept a neutral expression on his face. “Bring the rest of your things to the register and we’ll settle up.” He walked back to join Justin and her grandmother.

Gillian hung back a second when Blake stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

“Thanks for saving me from that awkward, potentially deadly, explanation. If there’s anything else you want, it’s yours.”

Ah, that smile would be the death of her. Bold, the man had charm, a sense of humor, and knew just how to get past her defenses—­and when to back off. She liked him. She really liked him.

“Thanks, but I’m good.”

“Let me take those from you.” He took the pile of lingerie from her hands.

“You just can’t wait to get your hands on my panties.” She’d never flirted with a man. Not like this. Maybe a smile. A look. But she found it so easy to joke and tease with Blake.

“I have all the time you need for that.” No joke there. He meant it and made sure she knew it with a steady look before he turned and took everything to the register, where her grandfather handed over stuffed bags to Blake and Grandma Dee and paid the astronomical bill without so much as a gasp, or even a blink.

“Uh—­”

Blake leaned in. “Just say thank you,” he whispered.

She let out a heavy sigh. “Thank you. I really appreciate this. Justin, what do you say?”

“Thank you. Now I’ll look just like Grandpa and Blake.” Justin pulled on his dark brown cowboy boots and dumped his old battered tennis shoes into the box. He stood and rocked back and forth, testing out the boots. So cute. He smiled up at Blake, who ruffled his hair.

“Come on, partner, let’s mosey.” Blake walked past her toward the exit with his hands loaded down with bags.

Out on the street, Blake and Bud stuffed the bags in the back of the truck, and everyone except Blake piled in. She stood on the sidewalk, scanning the street, looking for a man she killed and couldn’t be there. Just her imagination. Nothing more. Stress. Pain. They were taking a toll on her mind. She needed sleep. That was all.

She walked to the open truck door. Blake took her by the waist again and set her on the seat, carefully grabbing her ankle and helping her shift into the truck. He set her foot on the floorboards.

“Thanks.”

“No problem. How’s your pain level?”

“From one to agony? Take a guess.”

“Let’s go see the doc and get you some meds.”

Her grandfather stopped outside the clinic. Blake helped her out of the truck again.

“We’ll meet you back here in about half an hour,” her grandfather said. “We’ll take Justin to the bookstore and for some ice cream while you see the doctor.”