From This Moment On - By Debbi Rawlins Page 0,64

were interested in where Jesse stood as well, but that wasn’t a surprise. He was older, more serious and well educated.

Trace was so laid-back, and seemed to cruise by on a shrug and a smile. But most of these people had known him his entire life. They’d watched him grow up, become a man, they knew there was substance behind the smile. When he had an opinion on something important, they took notice.

“What you damn fools are forgettin’ is that the land is being overgrazed in the meantime, which means hungry animals.” It was Sam’s voice.

Nikki turned to see him coming from the back room with his empty mug. She really hadn’t meant to ignore him or the others playing pool. The discussion had drawn her in.

His comment was met with general disgust.

“Trace said all that was taken into account when they thinned the herd and started the program.” Chip glared straight at Sam. “You think for one minute Trace would let animals starve if he could help it?”

“What I think is that all you dumb bastards just love kissing McAllister ass. You sound like a bunch of little girls out here. Ooh,” he mimicked, in a shrill tone, “Trace said this, Trace said that, Trace said I should go drown myself so I believe I will.” He set his mug on Nikki’s tray, and boy, did she get a whiff of his boozy breath. “It’s damn pitiful,” he added in his natural drawl, then winked. “I’ll take another one, darlin’.”

Her guilt over ignoring him vanished. “If you knew how much I want to pull out your lashes, one by one, every time you wink, you would stop.” She narrowed her eyes. “Which is highly recommended in case that was too subtle or you’re too dense.”

She sidestepped him to check on the other pool players, not even smiling when everyone laughed.

“You boys hear that?” Sam said, spreading his hands. “She’s crazy about me.”

Nikki almost smiled then. She sighed instead. God, the man was like an untrained puppy—cute sometimes, but more often making you mad by peeing on the carpet. Or maybe that was giving him too much credit. She hurried to collect orders, hoping to squeeze in a minute to call Trace and warn him about Aaron, while Sadie poured beers and mixed drinks.

It was crazy how much pride she’d felt listening to these men talk about Trace. She had nothing to do with the respect he’d earned by being thoughtful and levelheaded. At the table behind Chip and Jerry, she overheard an older rancher tell his friend that since his son moved, Trace was the guy he knew he could count on in an emergency.

How horribly she’d misjudged him in February. Or had she really? She wasn’t someone who shared easily. She certainly wasn’t big on admitting her fears or the incredibly stupid choices of her youth, but she’d let her guard down with Trace, more than once. So something inside her was giving the green light. She just hoped it wasn’t her heart getting confused. Falling for him would still be a mistake even if she did trust him.

This thing they had was fun, comfortable and exciting. She’d like to believe it could last, but she knew better. She really needed to remember that. Easy to risk everything when you had nothing to lose. Loving then losing Trace? That could kill her.

* * *

HE WAS SITTING in his truck when she pulled up to the house. She parked her pickup behind him instead of her regular spot. They both climbed out at the same time.

“You boxing me in for a reason?” His teeth flashed in the bright moonlight as he walked toward her.

Had she remembered to leave the porch light on she’d be able to see that slow heart-stopping smile of his. “I don’t want you running off before I’m done with you.”

“Well now, that sounds promising.” No hat tonight, which she was surprised to find she missed. The snug worn jeans made up for it. He stopped not three feet away and looked her up and down. “You went to work like that?”

“Um, yes.” She glanced down at her usual jeans and stretchy blue V-neck top. “What’s wrong?”

He made a sudden grab for her, scooping her up and making her squeal. “What’s wrong?” he said, using a shocked tone and hugging her to his chest. “You can’t be looking that gorgeous when I’m not there to protect you.”

Nikki laughed, something she did a lot around him. She