to the passenger window. “I can manage it on my own, and I don’t need someone fussing over me.”
Ward didn’t say anything for a few moments. He made a turn and came to a stop at a red light. “I think one of the nicest things about having a partner is that they can fuss over you. It’s something I really miss.”
Dot turned toward him, stunned at the vulnerability in his voice. “Who did you have fuss over you?”
“Mother,” he said with a smile. “My sisters. It’s why Ida and I are so close. I got the flu—like the demon flu. So bad I couldn’t get out of bed for anything—once right after I’d graduated from high school and moved to town for a bit. Ida was still in school and living at the ranch.”
He pressed on the gas when the light turned green. “I went to sleep on a Monday morning and woke up Wednesday night. Ida was right there, taking care of me. Fussing over me.” He smiled to himself, and it only made him more attractive in Dot’s eyes. “I’ve had a girlfriend or two along the way like that too.” He cleared his throat. “Nothing’s ever worked out though. Never been married or engaged.”
“Me either,” she said, and Ward nodded. This was definitely a deeper conversation than the ones they’d had on their previous dates, and it painted Ward in a whole new light.
“I don’t mind fussing over the ones I care about,” he said. “And that would include you and anything you needed with your diabetes.”
“Thank you,” she murmured, because Dot had very few people she’d call on if she needed help. She had two really good friends she worked with, and a couple of people from church. Her brother and parents. And now…Ida and Ward.
Warmth moved through her, and she clasped her hands in her lap. “I’m sorry I said I didn’t want to see you anymore. I think I was in complete denial when I sent that text.”
“And now?”
“You ask a lot of hard questions,” she said, grinning at him.
He returned the smile and ducked his head. “You don’t have to answer that last one.”
“I think I already did, Ward.”
“I suppose you did, darlin’,” he said. He slowed as Small Plates came up on his right. With his blinker on, he made the turn and found a place to park. “It’s a miracle there’s anywhere here.” He peered through the windshield. “We might have a long wait. I forgot about the holidays, and it’s smack dab in the middle of dinnertime.”
“I don’t mind waiting,” she said. With you, she added mentally.
“All right,” he said. “If you wait, I’ll come open your door for you.”
Dot nodded, and Ward killed the engine and slid from the truck. When he opened her door, he crowded right into the gap created between it and the truck. “Your fainting episode at the church makes so much more sense now. You had low blood sugar.”
“Yes,” she said. “I carry candy in my pocket everywhere I go. That’s how serious it can be.”
“Good to know,” he said. “I’ve seen you eat dessert.”
“I can eat whatever,” she said. “I have to monitor the blood sugar and inject myself with insulin if I go crazy and have chocolate cake.”
“But you love Black Forest cake,” he said. “If I remember right.” He gave her a smile that stole her breath again.
“You remember right.” She smiled back at him. With her still seated in the truck, and Ward standing beside her, they were very nearly the same height. Dot reached out and ran her hand down the side of his face, the softness from his beard sending a thrill through her. “You really are extremely handsome,” she said.
“Thank you,” he said. “I think you’re downright gorgeous yourself.” He ducked his head, but he only kept it down for a moment before meeting her eyes again.
Without thinking or second-guessing too much, Dot curled her hand around the back of his neck, feeling the thick hair there too. She could only think about kissing him, and he clearly knew it.
Of course he did. Men like Ward Glover weren’t strangers to women.
He reached up with one hand and swept his cowboy hat off his head. His other hand cradled her face, and he pressed his hat to her back at the same time he touched his lips to hers.
Explosions and waves of heat moved through Dot, and if she’d known kissing Ward Glover would be this magical