Page 46 of A Montana Secret Admirer
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“You look nervous.”
Reese shot his brother a dark look.
“What? You do. What’s the big deal? It’s not like you haven’t taken her out. Twice.”
Reese wasn’t going to even give a response to Leo. He didn’t know anything when it came to finding the one person who was made for him. He was still dealing with the fallout between Jane and Kat. Apparently, they were in a stalemate. Kat wanted to come out to see the property, but Leo was dragging his feet. He kept going out of his way to avoid setting up a date.
“Seriously.” Leo draped his arms over the island in the kitchen, his eyes following Reese as he packed up the picnic they’d be taking with them. There was a smirk on his face that just begged to be wiped off. “I don’t get why you’re so worked up.”
Reese slowed and stared hard at his brother. “Do you remember that girl you had a crush on? Mindy something or another?”
Leo’s expression went slack. “I was seven.”
“Yeah, well, I would assume that the feeling is about the same.”
“You’re telling me that you feel like a child when you hang out with her? That’s probably not a good thing.”
Reese slammed a Tupperware container of sliced fruit on the counter with a little more strength than was required, causing his younger brother to startle. “No. I’m saying that I have about as much control over the situation as you did. I have to travel a delicate line with her. She’s got a history, and kids. I say one wrong thing and?—”
“If it’s that bad, then maybe it’s not worth it.”
“And what would you know about that?” Reese snapped. “It’s not your situation to worry about anyway.”
Leo held up a hand. “Wait a minute. You know that Mindy and I hit it off for at least a week.”
Reese couldn’t help the smile that tore across his face nor the laughter that spilled from his lips. Leo had been in relationships since his crush on the girl from his first-grade class. Not many, but some. They never really lasted long, however, and maybe that was the cause of his confusion.
After a moment, Reese sighed. “I can’t explain something to you that you’ve never experienced before. Serenity? She’s…” He looked up at the ceiling for a moment. “She’s everything I’ve ever wanted. I love who I am when I’m with her—her boys, too. She’s…itfor me.”
Leo let out a whistle. “That’s deep, man.”
“Yeah, it is.” Reese gave his brother a pointed look. “One day you’re going to find someone who makes you feel things that you’re not prepared for. She’s going to drive you crazy in herown sort of way, and you’re going to have to accept that there is no controlling how you feel. When that time comes, you’ll know that you’d do anything to ensure that the two of you find happiness.Together.”
“That’s pretty heavy for a third date, don’t you think?” Leo murmured. There wasn’t any teasing or ire in his voice this time. He actually sounded concerned—thoughtful, even.
Reese heaved out a breath, but it did nothing to ease the tension he felt in his shoulder or his chest. “Yeah, it is.” He could admit that. Yes, this was only the secondofficialdate they’d have under their belts, but he’d been spending more than enough time with her, simply getting to know her.
Serenity was the sort of woman who wanted to show strength. For her sons. For her family. For herself. But it was hard to always be strong and she didn’t let people in easily, and it was a miracle she’d allowed him to get as close as he had under the circumstances.
“Well, good luck.”
Reese found his brother’s searching gaze. “Thanks.”
“Where are you taking her?”
He’d been thinking about it a lot. Originally, he’d planned on going dancing, but he’d come up with something else. There was one place he thought would speak to her more than the others, and there was a chance that she’d finally realize that he’d been the one leaving her flowers if he did.
Then again, she might chalk it up to a coincidence and refuse to see the truth for what it was.
“You know that pond out on the side of the property Bo hasn’t been using? The side he hasn’t decided how to develop yet?”
Leo’s brows creased, and a thoughtful frown appeared. “No. There’s a pond?”
“Yeah. I guess not many people go out that way very often. I stumbled on the pond by accident.”
“Cool.”
