Hope on the Range (Turn Around Ranch #2) - Cindi Madsen Page 0,51
by the guy. Unfortunately, he’d told him that Nick would have to clear it. Not great news, since so far, Maddox had connected more with the cowboy in charge of the rodeo training than with his counselor.
Probably sad considering Brady still eyed him suspiciously and Maddox assessed him much the same way, although he hid it better. At least Brady wasn’t as stern as Wade and never pushed Maddox to spill his emotions and details about his past like Nick did.
All that working against him, his heart cranking as fast as a lug nut in an impact driver, and yet here he was anyway. Ready to grovel but trying not to let that show.
“Maddox, nice to see you. Did we have an appointment?” Nick shuffled papers around, moving them off one of those big desk calendars and tapping today’s date.
“Nah. I just needed to ask you a question.”
“Come on in.”
Maddox wanted to say he’d rather not, but that probably wasn’t the best way to get what he wanted. All because of a girl, too.
His boots seemed to weigh a hundred pounds each as he took a couple of steps inside, remaining closer to the door than the cushy couch that might lull him into a false sense of security. He licked his suddenly dry lips. “You know how Harlow and I have been training for the rodeo?”
Nick’s face dropped, which didn’t inspire a lot of confidence.
Might as well charge on with it. “Anyway, she came up with this… I guess you’d call it a game. If I miss when we’re roping, Harlow gets to ask me a question, and I have to answer it honestly.”
A spark of interest flickered before Nick’s expression morphed into his more neutral, contemplative one.
Okay, he didn’t immediately shut me down. That’s a good sign. I hope.
Maddox shoved his hands deep into his pockets, keeping his detached facade in place. “I thought I’d have her help me work on Miss Jessica’s car. Whenever Harlow misses a part name or what it does, I get to ask her a question.”
Nick propped his chin on his fist, unblinking eyes locked on Maddox. “I like the thought of you opening up to someone.”
Ugh, of course he made it all about gushy feelings.
“I’ll allow it,” Nick said, and Maddox held his breath, “on a few conditions…”
The groan Maddox was supposed to keep trapped inside escaped. That earned him a scowl, so he straightened, as if that would inspire forgiveness. “Sorry. Force of habit.”
“You need to start opening up in our sessions, too.”
He’d rather jab a red-hot needle in his eye. “What if I say forget about it, then?”
The crooked smirk that spread across Nick’s face made it clear Maddox had revealed too much. “I don’t think you will.”
The guy had him, and he knew it. Maddox’s shoulders deflated. “Fine.”
“Good. Now, here are the other rules.” Nick ticked them off on his fingers. “No roping or working on the car after dark; the car needs to be lifted a few extra feet so you two aren’t hidden from sight; and lastly…” A deadly serious edge hardened Nick’s features and tone. “Harlow is a sweet girl. You hurt her, and we’re gonna have a problem.”
As much as Maddox hated rules, those particular ones were for the best. They’d keep him in check. He and Harlow were simply getting acquainted. It wasn’t like he wanted to kiss her or anything.
Nope, those pink, heart-shaped lips didn’t tempt him in the least. He definitely didn’t want to press his mouth to them and take a tiny taste. The temperature in the room rose, and he worked to sustain his stony expression. “All right.”
“All right.” Nick straightened his stack of papers, tapping them against the desk to line them up. “And I’ll expect you to be nice and chatty tomorrow morning.”
The things I’m willing to do, all so I can spend an extra twenty minutes a day with a girl I absolutely don’t want to kiss.
Chapter 12
Tanya: Meet me at our place?
In his relief over her responding with something besides “I need some time,” Brady nearly dropped his phone in a fresh cow pie. The runt of a calf that’d been born late in the season circled back around to admire his steaming pile of handiwork, curious as a cat and about as finicky.
After bumbling around with his phone, Brady bit the fingertip of his glove and tugged his hand free of the leather so he could type a return—before Tanya changed her mind.