eventually, and when they do, shit’s gonna hit the fan. But I think it’s worth it.”
“And having dinner with me?” he asked.
“That’s where that second-guessing comes in,” she said, her lips curling slightly upward. “And why I’m here now. Something tells me, Cole Watson, that you are worth fighting for.”
Chapter Fifteen
Tina
Tina clamped her lips together. While she tended to speak her mind, she wasn’t usually that honest, especially with someone she didn’t know well.
The thing was, she did feel like she knew him. Maybe not in a detailed history sort of way. She didn’t know where he’d grown up or if he had any brothers or sisters or what he liked to do in his spare time.
But below the surface nervousness, there was this ... pull—for lack of a better word—drawing her in and making her want to know more, a simmering sense of anticipation laced with a calming familiarity she couldn’t explain. She wasn’t even sure how to label it. Whatever it was, it made her feel comfortable enough to say what was on her mind.
She held her breath and chanced a look right into his gorgeous hazel eyes. The green hues seemed more vibrant than they had been, the gold flecks more prominent. Behind them, she sensed more going on than his easy, casual demeanor let on.
Verbally, he wasn’t saying anything, and yet her body seemed to think that look said a lot. Warmth began to pool in her core and radiate outward. No man had been able to make her feel like that with just a look.
He smiled, a slow, sexy smile that kicked that inner simmer up a notch or ten. She discreetly shifted in her seat to alleviate some of the building pressure.
“Too much too soon?” she prompted in an attempt to lighten the mood.
He blinked, and the intensity lessened considerably. The heat was still there, but it was now banked.
“No,” he replied. “In fact, I feel the same way.”
Relief flooded through her along with the thrill of hearing that he thought she was worth the inevitable stink her brothers would raise. Not many men were willing to go up against Rick, Gunther, and Kiefer—and especially not for her.
Her brothers might not be the only opposition either. Tension was rarely one-sided, and while everyone at Sanctuary had been outwardly friendly and welcoming, she’d detected a low-key wariness, too. They might be okay with her coming up for consultations and coffee, but getting personally involved with one of them could push a few boundaries and make things more complicated for everyone.
“Is this”—she waved her hand back and forth between the two of them—“going to cause you problems?”
He hesitated slightly before shaking his head. “Not me, no.”
“But Sanctuary?”
“It’s nothing we haven’t dealt with before,” he said, most likely referring to prior experiences with Sam, Sandy, and Kate. “And nothing that would make me think that this isn’t a good idea. But it could make things difficult for you, and that’s what bothers me.”
That warmth she’d felt earlier blossomed again. When was the last time someone had been genuinely concerned about her? Not the farm, not the bottom line, not the effect it would have on them, but on her?
“I can handle it. And like I said, I think it’s worth seeing where it goes.”
His smile alone made taking the chance worthwhile. “Fair enough.”
“You do raise a good point, however,” she told him. Thoughts of what she would have to deal with once word got out didn’t fill her with the warm and fuzzies. She was already battling her brothers on multiple fronts—pushing for newer, earth-friendlier techniques and equipment; pricier but healthier alternatives; staff issues. Getting involved with Doc would make those pale in comparison.
“Perhaps we can do our getting to know each other here at Sanctuary and away from prying eyes. At least at first.”
He considered that and then nodded. “All right. Are we limited to Sunday afternoons?”
“That works best for me,” she told him. “Everyone already knows I’m not available then because that’s when I spend time with my grandmother.”
“You don’t think she’ll mind?” Doc asked with a frown.
Tina laughed. “No. She has a secret beau she’s been seeing while I’ve been coming up here. We’ve been covering for each other.”
He grinned knowingly. “Mr. O’Farrell.”
“How did you know that?”
“Because he told me. I go down to see him every week with care packages from Kate, and a few weeks ago, he asked me to drive him around town and get stuff because he had a hot