Page 10 of The Cattleman's Unforgettable Love

“No! I’m being serious. And the fact that you even had to ask is part of what makes you so interesting.”

His eyebrows drew together.

“I mean, most guys in your position would be full of themselves, to say the least. You’re confident – even commanding sometimes – but there’s something else. You’re … different.”

She knew immediately that she’d said the wrong thing, but what she didn’t understand was why.

He let out a breath. “Yeah. I’ve heard that before.” He looked disappointed, but Amelia couldn’t for the life of her figure out why.

“I don’t think you have,” she told him.

He met her gaze but didn’t speak.

“You seem to think different is somehow a derogatory term, and I didn’t mean it that way – in fact, I meant the opposite.” Why not? She might as well say it. They’d both avoided mentioning their attraction to each other since she’d arrived last weekend, but she didn’t intend to let that continue indefinitely – and this was as good a moment as any to bring it up.

He pressed his lips together as he studied her, and she waited. He was the kind of man who considered his words before he spoke; she already knew that about him.

“Are you trying to backpedal your way into saying that you were paying me a compliment by calling me different?”

“Yes – well, not the backpedaling part, but other than that, yes.”

He made a face.

“I’m serious, cowboy.”

He seemed to flinch when she called him that, but she had no idea why.

He recovered quickly, taking a sip of his brandy before he spoke. “Okay, in that case, thank you. I’m happy to know that you think of me as good different – even if I don’t totally understand what that means.”

She met his gaze and held it. “Then let me put it in simpler terms for you. You’re an incredibly attractive man, you play an important role in your family, and in the family business. You’re intelligent and carry a lot of responsibility. And yet, unlike most men in similar circumstances, you’re not arrogant or full of yourself. On the contrary, you’re kind, you have all the time in the world for your family, and I’m sure for your friends, too, but I don’t know your friends. From what I’ve seen, you’re thoroughly domestic – and even good with kids.”

When she finished speaking, she was amused to see a hint of pink on his neck and ears.

“Does that explain more clearly what I meant?”

He cleared his throat. “I don’t know what to say.”

She chuckled. “You don’t need to say anything. Do you want to go back to the original question and answer that instead? You were looking puzzled and I asked what was up.”

He smiled. “Okay. I was puzzled by my own behavior this evening. I don’t normally give up my seat voluntarily. And yet this evening, I willingly allowed first Ashton and now you to sit there. I was wondering what I was up to.”

Amelia took another sip of her brandy. “Well, we all know that Ashton holds a special place in your heart.”

“He does.”

“And as for me …”

His eyes seemed to turn a deeper shade of green as he met her gaze. She’d been curious to know how he’d react. The way he looked into her eyes gave her the impression that he wasn’t totally averse to the possibility of her trying to earn a place in his heart. She didn’t think that she was averse to the idea either, but …

“Are you just toying with me?”

“No! God, Ford, no. I’m not. I told you, I’m curious. I’m not good at the flirting thing. I want to investigate the possibility – or if there even is one – but …”

She relaxed when he smiled.

“So, you’d be open to a possibility?”

She nodded.

---