The Mechanics of Mistletoe - Liz Isaacson Page 0,98

live with that. I can’t live with your sticky hands near me, so you better wash up first.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ranger said quietly, tipping his hat and walking away. In the men’s room, he texted Ward that they needed to give someone a ride. His brother wanted to know who, but Ranger stuck his hands under the water and started washing so he wouldn’t have to answer.

He looked at himself in the mirror, his sky blue eyes also filled with anxiety and hope. “You’re in trouble, cowboy,” he whispered to his reflection. “You should just drop her off and go home.”

No one had said that wasn’t the plan, but Ranger was actually hoping this was the second—or was it the third?—chance with Oakley that he’d been praying for.

He closed his eyes so he wasn’t looking into his own eyes, and said, “Dear Lord, if it be Thy will, let this be the second chance I’ve been praying for.”

Then he left the men’s room, half expecting Oakley to be gone. She wasn’t, but she stood right where he’d left her. Their eyes met, and Ranger couldn’t have called down fire than heaven hotter than the current running between him and Oakley.

“Ready?” he asked, and she nodded. He faced the rest of the club, easily finding Ward and Ace. “Okay,” he said, putting his hand on the small of her back like it was a natural place for him to touch. It actually felt natural, and Ranger didn’t know what that meant.

“I’m with my brothers. Let’s go.”

Sneak Peek – The Horsepower of the Holiday Chapter Two

Oakley Hatch could not believe her luck. She wasn’t sure if it was bad or good that she’d run into Ranger Glover, of all men.

“Oakley,” he said in that smooth, rich, bass voice of his. “Have you met my brothers? Ward’s next in line behind me. And Ace is the youngest.” He indicated each man as he spoke their names.

Ward she knew, as he’d come to the dealership in the past. Ace she didn’t, but she managed to shake both of their hands, shreds of her dignity flaking off with every passing moment someone looked at her.

She’d known she had makeup all down her face, because she’d ducked into the ladies’ room while Ranger had gone into the men’s. She’d cleaned up the best she could, but the evidence of crying and distress still lingered on her face.

“We’re just takin’ her home?” Ward asked.

“Yes,” Ranger said, but Oakley had the distinct impression their conversation was much longer than what had been spoken.

“All right,” Ward said. “Ace got Haven’s new number, so he’s on cloud nine.”

Oakley wasn’t sure what that meant, and she wanted to trail in the wake of these three cowboy brothers. Maybe she could call a cab, though intellectually, she knew she couldn’t. It was too late for the cab service to be running, and Three Rivers wasn’t large enough for a sophisticated bus system either. Everyone drove around town, and Oakley considered downloading an app for one of those ride services.

One look at Ranger’s strong profile, that delicious jaw, and that oh-so-sexy cowboy hat, and she wouldn’t allow anyone else to take her home.

Ward had a big, King-cab truck, and Ranger held the door for her as he helped her into the truck. He went around to the other side and sat on the long bench seat in the back with her. Up front, Ward and Ace started talking about the show that night, but Ranger didn’t join in.

About halfway to her house, Ward said, “I don’t know where I’m going.”

“Oh, right,” she said, leaning forward to point. “Up here, turn left. I’m over on Washington Terrace.” She sat back, glancing at Ranger. He held up his phone, and she caught the glint of the light in his eyes.

She dug in her purse for her phone and checked her texts, the brightness of the screen burning her eyes. She quickly turned it down and tapped on his name.

Do you have a car I could borrow to get back to the ranch tonight? I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes, and I don’t want my brothers to have to wait. We get up early on the ranch, no matter what day of the week it is.

Oakley’s pulse pounded in her chest, the reverberations moving up her throat and through the bigger veins in her neck. He’d like to talk to her? About what?

After his rejection a month ago, she’d tried texting him a