Page 38 of Honey Bee Hearts

Broken the tension.

“Thank you,” I say, glancing at him.

He shrugs. “You seemed tense.” He points to a stop sign. “Turn right. The Boot Emporium is on the right so just park wherever there’s space.”

The Boot Emporium and Western Wear store is large. That’s the first thing I notice when we walk inside. The second thing I notice is that there’s a wall full of hats to choose from.

“Wow,” I breathe, moving over to look up at them. This store has everything from fancy hats to bedazzled jeans to button downs galore. There are even some chaps that draw my eyes, but I can probably make some cool ones to match an outfit later. I’ve already been working on a few different costumes for next week, including a fun Sheriff one to fuck with Colt.

“How ‘bout this one?” Rhett asks, pointing to a bright pink one. “It would go with your Barbie outfit.”

I smile and shake my head. “Not for me I don’t think.”

My eyes flick over to the cowboy hat covered with disco ball mirror pieces. Temptation pulls at me and Rhett follows my eyes.

His brows shoot up. “The disco one? I shouldn’t be surprised but. . .”

“It’s not practical for the ranch,” I admit hesitantly.

Rhett levels me with those pretty blues. “Now, Fable Everhart, when have you ever been practical?”

It’s something that Jinx would have said. She would have spoken those words just the same as Rhett did and then she would have laughed and plucked the hat from the shelf before plopping it on my head. Rhett, in his full wisdom, does the same, pulling it down, looking at it for a minute, before setting it on my hair.

“Look at that,” he says, smiling. “You’re a real cowgirl now.”

Something about the moment settles in my chest like a weight, but it’s not uncomfortable. It’s. . . good. It feels right.

“Sold,” I say, touching the weighted hat. “But I should probably get another one, too, so it goes with more outfits.”

“Good idea,” he nods, his expression serious as if he knows anything about fashion design. “Something. . . like this?” he asks as he picks up a black hat.

I wrinkle up my nose. “Too simple.”

“You can add different hat bands. But if the black is too severe, might I suggest. . . beige?” he asks, grabbing a different hat. “It would look very nice with your skin tone.”

“Yeah?” I ask, laughing. “Will it bring out my eyes?”

He stalks toward me and plucks the disco hat off my head before setting it aside. Then he carefully places the beige hat on. He’s standing close as I look up at him while he adjusts the hat. Any other man would be infringing in my space, but Rhett just feels like he always has to stand so close to people, as if he can’t perceive them without them being right in his face. He tips my hat back and chucks me on the chin.

“It does bring out your eyes,” he whispers. “All the pretty greens and browns. Such a pretty mix of color.”

I stop breathing at his words and the warmth of his fingers on my chin. We stay like that for a few long seconds, long enough that I start to debate if I should rise up on my tippy toes to press my lips to his. He wants to. I know he does.

“You’re standing awfully close,” I breathe.

The corner of his lips twitch. “Indeed I am, Wild West Barbie.” He leans just a hair closer. “If you like being in control, you’re welcome to take me for a drive, too.”

A very unlady-like snort leaves my nose. “That line work on a lot of women?”

He grins and lets go of my chin. “More than you’d think. I figured I’d give it a sho?—’

“Rhett Thomas,” a voice says from behind me.

Rhett’s face immediately shuts down. I get a good look at the playfulness disappearing before I turn to see who’s talking.

A woman stands behind me, not close, but close enough to have heard our conversation. She’s pretty, thin, her hair bleach bottle blonde in need of a touch up. She’s dripping in diamonds, literally. A thick diamond collar hangs at her throat, equally large diamonds on her ears, but none on her finger I note.

“Darla Savage,” Rhett replies. “Long time no see.”

---