True-Blue Cowboy - Vicki Lewis Thompson Page 0,19
very inspiring. I couldn’t resist donating to such a worthwhile cause, but to do that I had to win the bid. Which I did.”
“And you no longer care whether you get stuff down from the attic or rocks out of your yard?”
“Well, I do, but not if you’re working yourself to the bone.”
“Working myself to the bone is what I do. It’s my thing.”
“You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”
“Trust me, I’m not. I’m never happier than when I have a physically demanding job ahead of me.” He pulled up in front of her Victorian and switched off the engine.
“I don’t buy that never happier stuff. I’m sure there are several things you like even better.”
“Like what?”
“For one thing, a plate full of delicious food.”
He laughed.
“I was there, Nick. I saw your reaction to Ed’s buffet.”
“Let’s say good food and a physical challenge are equally appealing. And they complement each other. Working hard makes me hungry and eating well gives me fuel for the tough jobs.” He opened his door and grabbed his hat off the dash. “I’ll walk you to the porch.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Yes, I do. Wait for me, please.”
She did. She even waited for him to open the door and help her down. She got a kick out of his take charge attitude in the short term. In the long term, it might start to chafe.
Her front walk was wide and should accommodate two, although tonight was the first time she’d tested that. When one of the people was Nick, it was a close fit. He jostled her shoulder and apologized.
“No worries. I don’t break.”
“I recognize that about you.”
“Even though I get teary-eyed when two eighty-something women dance the jitterbug?”
“Everybody has a soft spot for something.”
“What’s yours?”
“Baby animals. Foals, kittens, puppies, tiny cottontails, bear cubs, you name it. I get choked up.”
“Children, too?”
“Aw, yeah. Those little shavers when they first learn to walk. So cute and brave.”
“So I’m all about the older folks and you’re all about the kids.” She climbed her porch steps and he followed her up.
“Those two groups are alike, in a way.”
She turned to face him. “How so?”
“They both have gumption.”
“I guess they do. Never thought of that.” She dug out her keys. “Getting back to what you said about fuel for tough jobs, if I can’t change your mind about the hours you work tomorrow, I can cook for you.”
“Oh, that’s not necess—”
“Hey, I’m going along with your plan of twelve hours, so you can jolly well go along with mine.” She lifted her chin, ready to take a stand. His hat shaded his face from the muted glow of the porch light and partially disguised his expression. “You love to eat and I love feeding people. I’ll cook for you or know the reason why.”
He nudged his hat back. The soft light reflected in his blue eyes, making them sparkle. He smiled. “I’d be a fool to pass up that offer.”
Her breath caught. Nick Le Grande was a very handsome guy. How had she missed that? As she held his gaze, the blue of his eyes deepened to navy. Her stomach fluttered.
Then he swallowed, touched two fingers to the brim of his hat and backed away. “See you at seven-thirty, Eva.”
“Seven-thirty? I thought eight was the—”
“I need to drive you back to Ed’s to get your truck, and I do plan to start at eight.”
“Oh, right.” What was up with her breathing? “Seven-thirty it is, then.”
He took the porch steps two at a time and lengthened his stride when he reached the sidewalk.
The growl of his truck’s engine and the flash of headlights snapped her out of her daze. Spinning around, she opened the screen door and jabbed the key in the lock. Took two tries to get the door open.
Once inside, she laid her purse and keys on the side table by the door and stood in the entryway dragging in air. They’d been talking about oldsters and puppies, and then…
What had just happened?
Chapter Nine
Extra sleep. Yeah, right. Nick was up, dressed and slugging down coffee by the time Rafe, his barn-duty partner, stumbled into the darkened kitchen buttoning his shirt.
“You could turn on a light, y’know,” he muttered.
“Don’t need it.”
“Whatcha doing up so early?”
“Couldn’t sleep.”
“Eva?”
“Yep.”
“Figured.” Rafe took a mug from the cupboard, forgot to close the door and banged his head. He swore softly.
“Want me to turn on a light?”
“Not now. Damage is done.” He handed Nick the mug. “I’d appreciate it if you’d pour it for