Take the Reins (A Cowboy's Promise #2) - Megan Squires Page 0,12

worried about that. I just meant that when I come over to visit, I’ll be sure to give Cowboy his space. No sudden moves and all that.”

Stooping down, Josie gripped the rim of a terracotta pot and twisted it around until she was satisfied with the positioning. It wasn’t as though it had a best side that should be showcased, but Seth figured it didn’t look quite as ugly from this perspective.

“You don’t need to visit with me, Seth. We don’t have to be friends.”

“But wouldn’t you like to be?”

Seth wasn’t expecting her to jump at the offer, but he also didn’t anticipate the prolonged bout of silence that stretched between them as Josie mulled over his question. “I don’t have much need for any.”

“Everyone needs friends.”

Her hands found her hips and hooked there, matching the defiance that contorted her lips into a near-grimace. “I’m satisfied with the few I’ve got.”

Seth wasn’t going to push. Josie certainly didn’t owe him anything, least of all friendship. He’d just never met anyone with such an aversion to the notion. “Understood. Not friends. Just neighbors.” He suddenly felt the buzz of his phone’s timer and couldn’t say he wasn’t grateful for the interruption. He hooked his thumb over his shoulder. “I should run. I’ve got to go grab something out of the oven.”

“Don’t let it burn on account of continuing this conversation.”

“Huh,” Seth mused audibly, but if Josie had heard, she didn’t let it be known. Her back turning to him and the trailer door swinging shut was a period at the end of their odd exchange. He wasn’t easily offended, but it was hard to take her curtness any other way.

The chocolate chip cookies Seth pulled from the oven racks once back inside his home mocked him with their homemade charm, sweet aroma, and perfectly browned edges. Why had he felt the need to bake these for her? Seth tried to reason that this was just what he did. He baked. And he was undeniably good at it. The blue ribbons he’d amassed from multiple county fairs as a teen were a testament to that. So were the many praises he’d received from the recipients of his treats. What had started out as a childhood hobby turned into a true talent. In fact, he couldn’t imagine not baking, and he definitely couldn’t imagine having someone move onto his property without gifting them a fresh welcome basket of cookies. He wouldn’t let Josie’s aversion to all things friendly keep him from being true to that side of his nature.

Yet as Seth traveled the dirt path back toward her trailer, plate of still-warm cookies in hand, he found himself doing a little second guessing. Most people would accept the offering as a thoughtful gesture. He felt the odds were just as likely that Josie would shove the plate into his chest and slam the door in his face.

Against all reason, he opted to take his chances.

“Knock, knock,” he said through the screen. There was a clink of a bottle meeting the counter and then heavy footfalls increasing in volume until Josie was standing on the other side of a screen door that had enough holes in it to resemble Swiss cheese. Her eyes locking with his was her only greeting. Seth shrugged and said, “I brought you something. In fairness, I had already made these before you mentioned the whole not needing any new friends thing.”

The faintest trace of a smile lifted just one corner of Josie’s mouth. With a degree of resistant surrender, Josie pushed her hand to the door and opened it. “You made those?”

“Chocolate chip. I figured that was the safest bet.”

“Dang it. I’m allergic to chocolate.”

“Seriously?”

“No.” The other half of her mouth raised, completing the smile she fought so hard to conceal. “Want to come in for a beer? I just opened one for myself.”

“Oh, shoot. I’m allergic to beer.”

“Really?”

“No, not really. I’d love one.”

Josie curled her hand around her ear, tucking away an errant strand that had slipped into her eyes. Her gaze was shifty, unsure, like she didn’t know where to look even though the space belonged to her. “You can sit there.” She thrust a finger toward the left side of the trailer. Red vinyl wrapped around two booths that faced one another and a wooden table separated the dining seats. Seth lowered the plate of cookies down first and then sat where instructed. There was a lemony smell he couldn’t ignore, like an air freshener attempting