Page 12 of Embracing Hope

As they veered to the right instead of the left toward the activity at the barns, he thoughtfully scrubbed his jaw. “Are we not going to explore the ranch?”

She stopped and gave him a curt shake of her head. “I told you. I have plans.”

Something warned him that he should refuse to follow her around like a whipped puppy and explore the ranch on his own, but something else—a small part of him—was curious and kept him following in her tracks.

She slid open the door to the garage, revealing a brand-new candy apple red Bronco inside. “Nice ride,” he said.

The corners of her mouth fought with a grin. “Glad you think so.”

As she gracefully walked past the Bronco and approached the vintage blue Mustang, he smiled. It was an impressive car but as he opened the passenger door and peeked inside, a thought crossed his mind. How would he manage to squeeze back out once he settled in?

“Problem?” She cast him a look over the black convertible top.

He wanted to say, “Yeah, a big one,” but he felt she wanted to make him uncomfortable. “No, not at all,” he said instead. How terrible could it be?

He stuffed himself into the leather seat and bent his legs in the cramped space. When she didn’t shift or make any move to leave right away, he looked over at her. She was glaring at him.What have I done now?

“Safety first. Seatbelt,” she said evenly.

“Yes, ma’am.” Clamping his mouth on the groan, he grabbed the strap and clicked the belt into place, feeling like a sardine crammed in a tin can. “Happy?”

“Very.”

She accelerated, the tires squealing on the concrete as she zoomed out of the garage. “Is this the way you drive all the time?” he asked, a mile down the country road feeling a bit carsick as they navigated the curves at a speed that only heightened his sickness.

“What way?” She flicked him a glance.

“Like a bat out of hell.”

“Am I making you uncomfortable?” she said without a modicum of concern or care.

“Of course not. I’ve been on the back of a bull plenty of times myself.” He tried to relax in the seat, watching the scenery pass in a blur. He shifted slightly to look at her profile. “Just so we're clear, I don’t make it a habit to have one-night stands.”

“Oh? So you thought we’d see each other again?” She kept her gaze ahead on the road.

“Honestly, I didn’t put much thought into it.” He picked up a roll of mints in her console and took one out, popping it into his mouth.

“Look, before you embarrass yourself too much, it’s okay. We’re adults. We’ll just have to pretend it didn’t happen. That would be easier than discussing the sticky situation.”

He scratched the side of his neck with his thumb. “Pretend it didn’t happen? That sounds like a very adult thing to do.”

*****

Hope bit back a grin as Isaac unfurled his way out of the passenger seat. His exaggerated stretch, reaching for the sky to ease a kink in his back, made her day just a little brighter. The bulge behind his zipper reminded her that he was big everywhere.

“Are you good?” she asked, keeping herself from bursting into laughter.

“Wonderful!” His lips curled into a grin. Where are we?” He scanned the small, charming house, with toys scattered throughout the yard and a tire swing swaying gently from the tree. He stopped to examine the old rope, which was nearing the end of its usefulness.

“Babysitting.” She left him standing near her car as she made her way up the brick walkway to the front door and knocked.

“Did you say babysitting?” he asked when he joined her on the stoop.

“I did.”

“That’s hardly back-breaking work,” he said.

“You’ll find out.”

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