Page 6 of A Gift for the Hopeful Cowboy

“Okay…” Rob drawled as he adjusted the saddle. “Well, this is getting heavy. I’m going to put it away. You can come along, or you can stay here staring out at nothing and contemplating your life’s choices.”

She snickered. “Perhaps that wouldn’t be such a bad idea. I’ve had my share of bad decisions—like the time I agreed to go on a date with a guy who was only interested in making out with me.”

There was a split second where his expression caught her off guard. It was serious, bordering on thoughtful. She got the distinct feeling she’d said something offensive or hurtful.

But then it was gone and he smirked at her. “You underestimate my interest in your intellect.”

The comment was said in that flippant way they teased one another, but what he’d said didn’t sound like the typical Rob she was used to. Pippa had expected him to make some snarky comment about her looks being the best part of her—a compliment and a diss at the same time. He’d done so several times before.

She stared at him, unsure of what he was doing, but he only laughed and shook his head as he headed toward the barn. Pippa chased after him, fleetingly grateful he hadn’t brought up her dodging that kiss.

“So, I wanted to ask you something,” she said as she fell into step beside him. “I was thinking about what we talked about yesterday.”

Rob tossed her a side-eyed look. She fought the blush that threatened to crawl up her neck.

“About you coming and checking out the restaurant. I really meant it.”

They reached the interior of the barn and he lifted the saddle onto its stand. Then he shrugged the rope from his shoulder and caught it with a gloved hand.

“I didn’t think you didn’t mean it.”

“Right. Well, I figured that with it being Thanksgiving weekend, you might have more availability. I don’t know what Brent’s got you doing, but maybe you’d be able to come by tomorrow?”

She prayed she didn’t sound like a simpering, love-sick fool. For some reason, this felt like new territory. They weren’t kids anymore. There was no promise of parting ways in a few weeks. And she felt more unbalanced than ever.

“Tomorrow?” He took off his hat and ran a hand over his wavy hair. “I think I can manage that. What time?”

Excitement, relief, and a monstrous exhilaration crashed into her like a tsunami. “Really? You could come by anytime. I don’t think we’ll be any busier than we usually are. A lot of the local cowboys like to show up at the end of the week and get a drink at the bar. It might be a good way to meet some of the locals.”

The corners of his mouth quirked upward. “You might be right.”

She flashed a smile at him. “I know I am.”

They stared at one another for a few moments and the strange tension returned. It was like a thick fog hung in the air. She sensed something was going on between them, but she couldn’t quite figure out what was so off.

Pippa crossed her arms again and let out a nervous laugh. “So, what are your plans while you’re here?”

His smirk widened. “You mean besides work?”

She lifted a shoulder. It was the only thing she could think of to ask. They knew each other so well that the only thing she hadn’t heard about was why he’d come here in the first place. Pippa knew better than to ask him if there were problems with his family back home. She also knew it wasn’t a good idea to bring up the future—at least not far into the future.

Rob had never been a planner. He didn’t like thinking about what came next. That was where they were complete opposites. When they’d met, she’d had a five-year plan, a ten-year plan, and a twenty-year plan. She knew she was going to open the restaurant when she was a teenager. She knew what she wanted to serve and how she was going to make it happen.

Yep, she was a nerd.

But not Rob. He flew by the seat of his pants, and it worked for him.

Pippa shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “You’re here for a while to work. But you haven’t really told me why you decided to come out this way.”

That question was dangerously close to territory she should be avoiding. If it didn’t get him to open up, she’d know to steer clear.

Rob’s brows pulled together and he placed his hat back on his head. “You know me. I needed a change. Don’t like being still for too long.”

The way he said it only added to her belief he was keeping something from her. This wasn’t her Rob. This Rob was different.

She couldn’t tell if he was changing for the better or if he needed some more guidance, like when she’d eventually convinced him to go to college. The problem was she could almost literally see the drawbridge being pulled up. He was shutting her out once again. She might share everything with him—except the truth about her feelings—but he wasn’t willing to do the same.

Pippa heaved a sigh. “I suppose you’re gonna go with the flow, then.”

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