Page 11 of Cowboys Can't Kiss

Dipping a carrot in the hummus, I crunch it as he scoops a generous amount of hummus up with his baby carrot and pops it into his mouth.

I’m hoping for more random food facts, but he’s stopped talking.

“Um…can I ask what made you lie on the ground instead of taking a seat here that day we met?”

Jack pauses his chewing and bites at his lip.

“It was a stressful day. I just wanted to…I don’t know, hide from the world for a bit.”

He rips apart a piece of pita and dunks it in the hummus. “Did you know pita is one of the oldest breads? It’s traced back almost 4000 years ago to the Middle East.”

Why do I find his nervous food facts so damn cute?

“I didn’t know that. It’s one of my favourites. I love eating pitas.”

Jack smiles and eats as his knee bounces so much, the entire picnic table wiggles.

“Do you like fairy tales, Jack?”

Jack pauses, chewing slowly, and nods. After swallowing, he chews his lip before answering.

“I don’t know if it’s considered a fairy tale, but I really likeLady and the Tramp.”

His gaze meets mine and I see it. The naked truth of his admission is something he doesn’t share with many people, but he did with me. Someone he just met. It might be a movie fact, but to him, it’s a big deal.

“I like that one, too.”

I smile his way, and he sucks in a breath.

“Maybe one day we could—”

A booming voice jars us from the conversation. “Jack! Where are you? We have to go!”

“Shit.” Jack stands and almost knocks lunch off the table in his haste. “Riley, I’m sorry. I have to go. Can we…” He looks over his shoulder towards the man who called for him. “I’ll be here again next Wednesday. Maybe we could do this again?”

Walking backwards away from me, he waits for my response and what else can I say but yes?

“I’ll be here!”

He gives me a thumbs-up and waves before turning and jogging away.

I stare after him, unsure of what just happened and who Jack really is.

Picking up a baby carrot, I inspect it closer.

“I didn’t know these came from imperfect bigger carrots.”

Maybe next week I can learn about Jack and not random facts about food.

four

Jackson

“That steer looks fast, Jackson.”

Before Hunter positions his horse in his chute, he nods at me. “Take it quick before he gets away.”

“Yep. That’s the plan.”

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