office at least once, as well as ranchers for miles around.” He toyed with his next thought. “Maybe even your technician. What was his name?”
Mattie straightened in her chair. “Travis is too young for me. Besides, I would never let an attraction interfere with work.”
“You’re attracted to him, then?” Gil thought he noticed something between the doc and the college intern the few times he’d seen them together. It made him glad she’d laid off her hired help.
“I never said that.” Her voice bristled in defense. “Besides, he has a girlfriend.”
Gil smirked. Just as well. The boy was not man enough for a woman like Mattie. He would have told her so too, except a waitress came to take their order.
“Maybe we should change the subject,” he said after the server left. “It’s my fault, for my poor manners.” He lifted his glass to take a drink of water.
“I recall being the target of those ill manners. Something about snickerdoodles and having too much social life?” Her challenge chilled him to the core.
Cold water spilled onto his chin. He dabbed the liquid with his napkin, remembering all too well the night he’d labeled Mattie an incompetent veterinarian. “I never apologized for that, did I? What can I say? I saw you holding Dad’s hand and jumped to conclusions.”
Gil tucked the napkin onto his lap, then reached across the table for her hand. “I’m glad you proved me wrong.”
Mattie slipped her fingers from beneath his and clutched the edge of the table. “There was nothing to prove. As I said from the beginning, your dad and I are good friends. I’m indebted to him for more things than I can count.”
“You’ll forgive me for thinking the worst?” Gil revealed his most charming smile, hoping she’d loosen up. It seemed to work.
“Is that why you bombarded me with all those gifts today? Guilt?”
“Not gifts — a trade for Dusty’s care, remember?”
Mattie shook her head. “You’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty.” She surprised him by reaching out to squeeze his hand. At her touch, he swore he could feel his heart melting.
TWENTY-FIVE
MATTIE TOSSED HER NAPKIN ON THE TABLE, STUFFED FROM TOO many fries. “I can’t eat another bite.”
Gil stared at her plate. “You’re not going to let that steak go to waste, are you?”
“If you want it, be my guest.” She pushed her plate toward him, and his eyes lit with pleasure.
“Don’t mind if I do.” He stabbed the piece of meat, savoring each bite. When finished, he wiped his mouth with a napkin to reveal a satisfied grin. “They don’t make steaks like this in California.”
“So I’ve heard.”
Two teenage boys edged up to the table, nudging each other as though to build their courage. “Mr. McCray, could we have your autograph?” The one in front offered paper and pen, while the other boy held out his canvas cap for Gil to sign.
Mattie waited while Gil dealt with his junior fan club, amazed at how well he handled the invasion of privacy. He winked at her once the boys left and tucked a hundred dollar bill under his plate. “Shall we leave before someone else decides he needs an autograph?”
She followed him outside, and the cold air sliced through her jeans.
“Care to walk off some of this food before we return to the ranch?” Gil zipped his leather jacket and motioned behind the restaurant toward the Cottonwood River that flowed through the edge of town.
Mattie pulled on the fleece-lined gloves stuffed in her wool coat pocket. “The weatherman said there was a chance for snow tonight.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.” Gil stared up at the sky.
The north wind bit into Mattie’s skin as she lifted her collar around her neck. They hiked the trail to the natural waterfall, their warm breath rising in the frosty night air. As they neared, the sound of the river cascading over stone intensified. Hundreds of stars twinkled above and Mattie sighed.
Gil clasped her gloved hand when they reached the river’s edge, and the contact unnerved her, made her self-conscious. The water trickled over the rocks, and the crisp air nipped her nose.
“Do you ever get tired of the attention?” She tried not to let his romantic gesture affect her.
He released her hand. “You mean at the restaurant?” The light above the trail cast a shadow against the side of his face.
“I don’t know how you stand it. If I had strangers approach me all the time, I’d be tempted to hibernate.”