Page 23 of Embracing Hope

If she had cared, she would have looked and seen every cowboy staring at her as she made her way back through the thick grass, but her mind was preoccupied with one man who had disappeared.

The fellows’ laughter caught on the wind, following her.

They were all a bit friskier when her daddy was away. When he was home, they all made sure they walked a fine line.

“It’s a mighty scorcher today.” The slow, coarse drawl came from somewhere and she spun, searching for the owner.

Rewarded, she found Isaac leaning one shoulder against the barn door frame.

Nursing her expression so she didn’t show too much excitement, she changed the direction of her path and sashayed across the short distance to him. “You could say that again.”

He laughed and his eyes crinkled. “You have been hiding the last few days.”

She liked that he didn’t mince his words. “Not hiding. I’ve been busy.”

“So you say.” He cocked a brow.

She planted her palms on her tilted hips. “I do say. Have you been having fun staying in the bunkhouse?”

“A riot.” He pushed off the doorway and stepped out into the sunlight to be closer to her.

“More educated?”

“Yes.”

“Ready for the merger?” She lifted a brow.

“I haven’t arrived at that conclusion yet.”

“Stubborn as well as prideful,” she said dismissively.

“I’ll borrow your words. Takes one to know one.”

She played with a curl, rolling it around her knuckle. “I'm heading to Mav’s.”

“Yeah, I caught that back at the arena,” he said evenly.

“That’s how we usually spend our Fridays. After a long week on the land, the men relieve some pent-up energy.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that too.”

“Great. Well, you have a wonderful evening.” She walked away, putting a little more sway in her step.

By the time she made it out of his sight, she’d worked up a sweat because she’d walked faster than usual. She slid behind the wheel of her car and headed toward Sagebrush Pine, whistling along to popular country music.

On a typical Friday night, the streets were bustling with townsfolk wandering through the charming stores, waiting in line at Dairy Pine for ice cream, and food trucks setting up along Pine Street.

She was lucky and found a space to park at Mav’s. The bar was booming.

Pushing through the front door, she stepped inside and was met with a blast of cooler air. The air conditioner was cranked to accommodate the packed bar. The country rock band Rock Wall played from the stage, and the heavy thumping of the bass pounded in her chest. Two guys walking in her direction parted ways to allow her to pass, and one of them said loud enough for her to hear, “What I wouldn’t give to smack that—” only to be cut off by his friend giving him a push.

“You know who she is,” the man said. “She wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole.”

Hope smiled as she made her way to the polished bar and bumped her friend Jean with a hip.

The blonde turned, ready to unleash on whoever dared to run into her but when she saw Hope excitement covered her expression. She was an avid gardener, and the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth reflected her days spent in the sun. “It’s about time, girly. You’re late. Thankfully, I was able to save you a seat.” Jean swiped her purse off the stool and laid it on the bar beside her drink.

Hope plopped onto the cushioned stool and ordered her usual. “Sorry that I’m late, but I had to take care of a few things before I left the ranch.” Jenna set her glass in front of her.

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