Page 53 of The Way to a Cowboy's Heart

Emily smiled.

“Wha—” Shay moaned around a bite. “This is—Oh my goodness!”

Nevers took a bite and Liam watched Emily hold her breath. He considered it as he chewed, tilting a nod, but his face remained neutral. “It’s not… bad.”

“I think you mean it’s excellent, don’t you?” Liam faced him.

Nevers frowned and took another bite. “I’ve had worse. No, it’s quite good. But a little raspberry coulis and whipped cream would—”

“Oh, you’re quite right about that,” Emily said. “I would surely do that if I were serving this at home. But I’m afraid it’s just the bare, naked essentials today. He’s quite right.”

Nevers glanced at the Hardestys, both of whom were daring him to say more. “No, it’s well done. Good technique. Where did you train?”

“Train? I… I didn’t. I’m just a cook. Self-taught.”

“And one of the best I’ve ever tasted,” Liam said. “Her cake just hints at how good she is at everything else.”

Emily, far from looking chagrined, was not intimidated by this guy. At all.

“In fact,” he went on, “she made one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my life in New York.”

“I’m no Michelin-star chef though,” she said. “I can’t wait to taste your food, Mr. Nevers.”

He polished off the last bite and crumpled up his paper towel. “Forgive me. It’s an old habit of mine to be critical of others’ work. Your cake was as fine as any I’ve made. I do hate to admit that.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Now, I’d better get back to what I was doing, if I can reclaim my concentration. That cake should help.” He flashed her a quick smile and retreated to the kitchen.

The three of them barely contained their chuckles once he was gone.

“There you go,” Liam said. “High praise from a real master chef. Even if we did have to wring it out of him.”

“I’m perfectly fine with what I do, and I honestly didn’t need his approval. But thank you for doing the wringing. Your chef seems a bit like the Tin Man in need of a bit of lubrication.”

“Or a drink. But thank you for the cake. It was as incredible as I knew it would be. What did you think, Shay?”

“What? Oh. Excuse me. I might be slipping into a chocolate coma. It was that good.”

“Hey,” Emily said, “if you need help with the seat covers, I’ll be glad to give you a hand. Especially if that means you’ll take me horseback riding before dark.”

“That can be arranged. But you don’t have to—”

“I want to. Let’s just knock it out.”

Shay glanced sideways at him and gave him a wink.

*

They rode upto the Yellowstone River as the afternoon light began to fade, but they left in plenty of time to be back before dark. He’d put her on a paint gelding named Shawnee, who seemed to know the trail by heart and followed behind Liam’s horse without a problem.

The ranch was just as beautiful from the ground as it had been by air, and they took their time, wandering along the banks of the river until Liam pulled up and they dismounted near a stand of winter-bare aspen and willow trees.

Down this low, the river had thawed completely and in the deep pools they could see trout swimming just below the surface. As the horses cropped up the grass sprouting through the dead winter thatch, she and Liam sat on the sun-warmed rocks overlooking the water.

“Just checking,” she said. “You did bring the bear spray.”

He patted the can attached to his belt. And the pistol on his hip. There was even a rifle tucked in the scabbard on his saddle. “I come prepared for all the things.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her against him. “You handled Nevers well. I was getting ready to fire him.”

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