Page 14 of Old-Fashioned Rancher

“Just a little grumpy.” I picked up a bread roll and cut into it with my knife until steam billowed out. “You still haven’t told me why you didn’t call, by the way.”

Grady paused, pushing a piece of steak around on his plate as he deliberated.

“Rusty, I guess.”

“Is that the only reason?” I prodded, curiosity getting the better of me.

“There hasn’t exactly been much room for romance where cattle are concerned. And I know cattle.”

I met his gaze across the table. I couldn’t imagine how hard it must be to date again after getting divorced. Especially when the whole town would have their eyes on him, watching every move he made.

A gust of wind sent Grady’s hat flying across the table like a tumbleweed. When he scrambled to grab it, his elbow collided with his glass of water. Liquid sloshed across the table and splashed down his front.

Grady swore, pushing his chair back as he looked down at himself in dismay. I grabbed my napkin, pressing it against his damp chest.

He curved his fingers around my wrist. I froze and looked up.

Grady’s pupils dilated nearly full black. Only the slightest rim of stormy gray marked his irises. His heartbeat thrummed, strong and fast, beneath my palm.

I should pull away, I thought.

All I wanted to do was lean in and close that little gap of space between us.

“It’s a good thing we’re in public,” Grady said, his voice pitched low and rough.

My fingertips traced the buttons on his chest, traveled the coarse fabric of his shirt.

“Why?” I whispered.

“If we were alone, I’d have you in my lap right now, and I wouldn’t be a gentleman about it.”

My eyebrows shot up.

“Is that a threat or a promise?”

Grady’s grip on my wrist tightened, and he smoothed his thumb along the inside of my forearm. My breath lodged in my throat. Goosebumps rippled across my skin. Leaning over him like this, halfway standing out of my chair, it would be easy to make me lose my balance. Grady could simply tug on my wrist and I would tumble into his lap. Willingly.

“What do you want it to be?” he asked

I hesitated, stunned by the thrill of the moment. My dating record had been bland ever since I’d reached my mid-30s. I thought my days of getting swept off my feet were behind me and I would have to settle for something tame, mundane, and boring in my 40s.

Grady was far from boring.

“I think you should behave yourself as long as your daughter and your ranch hands can see you,” I replied.

He gave a thoughtful hum. Then he squeezed my wrist one last time and released me. I sank back down into my chair, fighting to catch my breath.

A promise, I thought. That was definitely a promise.

Chapter 5

Grady

The next day, I woke before my alarm. Sunrise was still hours away and darkness swathed my room. The red glow of numbers on my clock read 4:13am. When I breathed in, I could have sworn I smelled honeysuckle perfume.

My throat grew thick as the low burn of arousal swept through me, coiling my muscles tight.

I never liked to linger in bed once I was awake. There were too many things to do in a day, and lounging around would accomplish none of it. But this time—just this once—I let my eyes slip closed again.

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