Page 69 of The Ranger Gets His Girl

Why was he still telling people they were married? Did it have something to do with his work? Confusion and hope warred within her.

She sucked in a breath, and the coordinator walked back to her booth a few steps away. Lucy pulled away and patted her dress to make sure it was settled correctly. Then he held out a hand, palm up.

"How about an early dinner, and then we'll head back to the hotel? Brunch was hours ago, and that scavenger hunt worked up an appetite."

She slid her hand into his. "But there's supposed to be fireworks tonight and a parade. I want to watch it."

He frowned but nodded. They wandered the street and found a little beach front restaurant and took seats on the sand. Damn this tingling sensation. It happened when their hands were locked together, when he grazed her back as he pulled her chair out.

The waiter arrived as the sun dipped in the sky. Lucy smiled at the menu.

She nodded, causing her wavy brown hair to shake around her shoulders, finally coming out of her ponytail. "It all looks so delicious. I'd love something new. I want to be adventurous and try everything. This is a vacation, after all."

The waiter suggested something, and Lucy actually was excited to try the new fish. Then he turned to Mason. "And for you, sir? Or do you want your daughter to choose your appetizers for you?"

Mason blinked, his arms falling to the chair arms while Lucy burst out laughing.

"Do you want some fish too, big daddy?" she asked coyly, her laugh continuing around the words.

His eyes flared in warning, but he just said, "I do love fish tacos, but I think I'll have the steak tacos tonight."

The waiter nodded. "Certainly. And would either of you like to hear our drink specials?"

Lucy's lips quirked to hide a grin at the somewhat pout on Mason's lips as he gave a sharp nod. She looked at the waiter and tapped the menu. "What is this cotton candy wine?"

The waiter's grin widened. "Oh, it's delicious. You'll love it. And for you, sir?"

"I'll have an Old Fashioned."

Lucy's eyes misted and her smile slipped. Her dad used to order that.

Chapter 26

Mason crossed his arms as the waiter walked away, staring across the beach and casing it for suspects or suspicious activity. He'd deliberately chosen a table with a seat against the wall of the restaurant so no one could sneak up on him.

Some things had just become habit after so many years, and that was one of them. His eyes took in Lucy as he turned his head to watch the area, then stopped. He frowned. "Are you alright?"

She rubbed her nose and avoided his gaze. "Yeah, I'm fine. My dad used to yell at me. Not always over passing out but sometimes. I didn't like it then, and I didn't like it on the boat."

His hand touched hers, squeezing softly before releasing it. "I'm so sorry, little bird. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just got so caught up in my fear of something happening to you while we were hanging up there, you passed out, and me not being able to do anything..."

His voice trailed off, and she nodded. "I'm sorry too, for putting you in that position. For making you feel so helpless."

The moment stretched between them, then she cleared her throat. "Anyway, my dad liked the Old Fashioned too."

Mason nodded. "It's a good drink. Strong and manly."

She laughed, and the tension in his shoulders seemed to ease a little. "Of course that's why you drink it."

He shrugged. "Is there any other reason to drink?"

Her eyes twinkled as she took her sunglasses off, and the waiter brought their drinks. She thanked him with a smile. When they were alone once more, she held up her wine glass.

"This is a reason to drink. Look at the cotton candy on top. Isn't it so cute?"

He snorted. "I don't pick a drink based on its looks. If anything, a drink should be based on taste."

She sniffed the glass then took a sip. Her eyes widened. "Oh, that's delicious. The cotton candy dissolves when it hits the wine. Normally, cotton candy wine is all I drink at home. I've never had any with actual cotton candy in it, though."

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