He nodded. “If I’m lucky.” His smile took the chill out of the air and sparked the surface of her nerves. “Since the cows are no help.”
Say goodbye. Ride off. Sitting here, making small talk, with the temp dropping, was ridiculous. But she didn’t want to ride off. “You’re a photographer?”
He shrugged.
She shot a pointed look at the camera.
“Hobby.” He chuckled.
“We get a lot of naturalists out here. Lots of birds and wildlife.” She forced her eyes from his, to sweep the land she so loved. She could almost see it in spring, awash with color. “You should come back in the spring. These fields are covered in bluebonnets, red Castilleja and black-eyed Susan.” She glanced back in time to see the muscle in his jaw clenched tight, the heat in his eyes startling her.
“I’ll have to keep that in mind.” His voice was gruff. And her stomach tightened.
What was happening?
Luna nudged her boot with her nose, snorting. Her horse’s patience was running out. She nodded. “I’m assuming that’s your rental truck back there?” Meaning he wouldn’t be in town long.
He sighed. “No spare.”
“Might be worth making a complaint. Especially since you’re stranded and we’re expecting snow.” She gazed up at the sky. It didn’t look like snow. “Once I get the horses taken care of, I can come back for you,” she said, patting Luna again. “Luna’s getting impatient. Dinnertime and all.”
He seemed to think about it, his gaze exploring her features before he finally said, “I don’t mind the walk. But I appreciate the offer.”
“You sure?” she asked, ignoring the tug of disappointment. Not like she wouldn’t see him again.
His jaw muscle tightened again. “I’m sure,” he added, shouldering his bag and putting his cowboy hat on. It might be on the worn side but he wore it well.
She’d have time to decide whether or not she liked it later. After the horses were home and safe. She touched the brim of her hat with her finger and smiled. “Hope you get some good shots before the sun goes down. Not many lights out here—then it gets dark dark out. Take care.”
“Thanks.” His pale gaze searched hers. “Nice meeting you, Renata.”
With a nod, she nudged Luna forward and the horse set off at a fast trot. The hammering of her heart had nothing to do with their ride back. Fifteen minutes ago, she’d been resigned to accepting her fate as the cool single aunt in her family. Now she wanted to spend a little more time having Ash look at her like that—with his clenched jaw and brooding pale gaze. She thought a night with him might just provide the sort of memories that could comfort a woman for a lifetime. He looked the type.
And now she’d officially crossed the line into ridiculousness. It had been a long time since she’d been on a date and, obviously, the loneliness was getting to her. He was gorgeous and interested and she was sort of vibrating from the charged connection between them. But...she wasn’t that sort of girl.
Even if, for the first time ever, she really wished she could be.
* * *
John-Asher was in no hurry. After his run-in with Renata, he needed to clear his head. He’d been too heartsick to notice the opposite sex, until now. And now, well, he hadn’t really had a choice. She’d sort of demanded his attention. Magnetic. Hypnotic. Whatever. It felt like she’d reached inside, grabbed hold of something long dormant and shaken it wide-awake. In ten minutes flat.
He shivered, the nip in the air biting right through his flannel button-down and the undershirt beneath. It was fatigue. Period. The mind could play tricks on the body. And that’s exactly what had happened. A pretty girl. A friendly smile. A few laughs... She was being neighborly, nothing more. But she’d made his crappy day better.
Since it was unlikely their paths would ever cross again—which was good—there was no cause for concern.
This visit was pointless. After his interview at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, he knew what his first pick was. He was a damn fine diagnostician and a well-regarded veterinarian, and they appreciated that. But the University of East Texas Veterinary Teaching Hospital, right here in Stonewall Crossing, had been Shanna’s top pick. She’d researched every candidate town’s schools, its history and crime rates, and the potential for him to have a long-term career. This was the place she’d wanted to raise Curtis, the place she’d thought they could call home. And, even though she’d been gone for almost two years, the urge to make her happy hadn’t faded. He’d made her a promise. And he kept his promises.
He shifted his duffel bag from one shoulder to the next and pushed his favorite felt cowboy hat down. The ache in his chest was constant and familiar. At times it would fade and he’d fight to hold on to it. If the ache was gone, Shanna would be gone. And that wasn’t something he was willing to accept yet. A jagged knot lodged itself in his throat, making his eyes burn.
She wanted him to be happy—dammit, he was trying—but it was too soon for him to contemplate moving on. He and Shanna had had something special. She’d been his wife and best friend, the one who’d plucked a small-town country boy from the saddle and introduced him to the wonders of the world. Her zest for life had been contagious. Without her...life was hard. In the beginning, getting out of bed had been a challenge.
Curtis was a balm to his soul. His son was the light of his life. With his all-consuming smiles and his joyful giggles, that little boy was all Ash needed to keep moving. Hurting or not, he’d be the best father he could be for his boy.
Their family might be small, but it was strong. The two of them would do just fine on their own—no matter what his mother and mother-in-law might think.
His half-hearted attempts to move on failed epically. Online dating was a bust. Blind dates a no go. He’d even hit a club or two with his single friends but quickly realized he wasn’t interested in a hookup. Besides, he’d yet to meet a woman who sparked his interest. A memory of Renata smiling popped up so quickly he bit out a curse.
Until today. And that spark had been so bright it had scared him. If he was being honest, it was more than a spark. More like a bonfire. He ran a hand along the back of his neck, rolling his head to ease the tension, and glared up at the wide-open sky and the first flicker of stars.