14. 14
The talk with Belinda was still on her mind when Ava had gotten into bed the night before. She had thought about her determination to experience things and not just get through life, whether there was someone there to share the experiences with her or not. She had wondered what she would do this weekend if Cowboy wasn't available? She let the thought linger in the back of her mind as she'd laid there wishing he'd text her back.
Frustrated that he hadn't answered her, she'd pulled out her laptop and looked up things to do around Dickenson. She woke the next morning feeling good that she had a plan for the weekend, well for Saturday anyway. She had a couple of ideas for Sunday if she didn’t hear from Cowboy.
She finished her morning routine, dressed, and made it into the kitchen for coffee. While the coffee brewed, she picked up her phone. There was a message from Cowboy. A glance at when he’d sent it told her it had been well after she’d gone to bed the night before.
The message said he was busy Saturday but up for something Friday or Sunday. As well as a second message sent this morning.
Cowboy: Want to do something for dinner tonight?
She stared at the screen wondering how to reply. Yes, she was up for dinner, but she didn’t want to seem to eager. Then again. It had been hours since he’d sent the message. She typed up a response telling him she was open, asking if they would be on the bike and what time to be ready then hit send. By the time she’d finished that, her coffee was ready. She stood for a moment after the first couple of sips, letting the rich flavor do as much to wake her up as the hit of caffeine would once it hit her bloodstream. After a moment she took her cup and headed for the bedroom to finish getting ready for work.
Belinda: So, when you going to see your hottie again?
Ava rolled her eyes and shook her head as she set the phone aside to start the car. She wanted to get the air conditioner started before responding to her sister-in-law. Once she was comfortable, the door closed and air blowing, she picked up the phone and typed out her response.
Ava: Dinner tonight.
She’d wondered all day long if Cowboy had gotten back to her and what he’d said, but she wasn’t allowed to have her phone with her at the window. She understood why. It was a security risk since she handled people’s account information all day long. Not that she would do anything with it, but there were many not as scrupulous as she was.
She’d checked at lunch, but there hadn’t been a reply yet. On her way out to the car, Belinda’s message had been the first to pop up. Now she navigated to his message.
Cowboy: How’s seven? And I’d love to take the bike if you’re up for it.
Did she want to go out on the bike tonight? She had this morning, but now her feet ached.
No, she reminded herself, she was going to live life, not watch it pass her by.
Ava: The bike would be great, and I’ll be ready by seven.
She dropped her phone back into her purse and turned her attention to the wheel. If she was going to be ready, she needed to get home.
By the time she pulled into her space at the complex, she’d mentally moved past her reluctance to change and get ready and was excited to see Cowboy again. She wondered if he had something in mind or would he ask her what she wanted to do. Not that it mattered. After researching the area last night, she had a list of things she wanted to do and places she wanted to try. If he asked, she’d mention one of those. In the meantime, she needed to get changed.
Inside her apartment she hung up her purse and headed for the bedroom, stripping out of the semi-dressy clothes she wore for work. She’d long since gotten used to dresses and skirts, as that was what Hank expected her to wear all the time. Jeans were not considered appropriate unless they were doing something rough or grubby like moving or yard work.
Now, she loved the freedom of wearing what she wanted and what her mood called for and she loved that Cowboy encouraged that. She shucked her skirt and hose, then pulled her favorite pair of jeans from the closet and stepped into them. She grabbed her favorite pair of cowboy boots from the corner where she kept them and set them in front of the chair so she could put them on in a minute before turning back to the closet and trying to decide what top to wear.
She stood staring at the closet for a long time. Not that the selection was huge or much varied once you removed her work clothes from the options. But there was that halter top she’d bought on a whim and had never had the nerve to wear.
Should she?
Would Cowboy think she was too old to wear something that fun and girlish? As those thoughts flitted across her mind, they solidified her decision. She would wear it and to hell with what he thought.
She pulled the bright red halter from the hanger and put it on, taking in her reflection and having second thoughts before she firmly pushed those doubts from her mind and went to fix her hair. She’d pulled it back high on her head this morning, and that wouldn’t work if they were taking the motorcycle tonight.
She’d just stepped into her boots, stood, and checked her appearance in the mirror when a knock sounded on her door. She wondered who it could be, but a glance at the clock told her it was five minutes to seven and probably Cowboy. She grabbed her jacket and went to answer it.
She tossed the strap to her purse over her head and stuffed one arm into the sleeve of her jacket as she opened the door.
“I’m ready,” she said in greeting as she tried to find the other arm of the jacket.
“Did you even check to see who was at the door before opening it?” Cowboy scowled at her.
Ava bit the inside of her lip as her face heated.
“Angel, you really need to be more careful. I’d hate to have to hurt someone for hurting you.”
The heat in her face faded so quickly she had a moment of dizziness and had to grab hold of the door to make sure she didn’t go down. Cowboy stepped close and wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Are you okay?”
She blinked a couple times and made sure the world had stopped spinning.
“I’m good. I was just dizzy for a moment. It’s passed now.”
“You sure you’re okay?” A crease formed between his brows.
“It was a passing thing. I’m fine. Are you ready to go?”
“I’m ready when you are, but I want to be sure you’re not going to fall off the bike.”
Ava shook her head. “I’m fine. It was just a moment. It happens now and then. It’s gone now. Do you have someplace in mind for dinner?” She tried to change the subject and get him to move on and forget about that one off-center moment. The last thing she would do was tell him that his instant defense of her was what set it off. No one, except maybe Aaron, had ever defended her so quickly.
Cowboy gave her a look that clearly said she wasn’t fooling him, and he wouldn’t be letting it go. His arm around her middle loosened slowly, as if making sure she was steady on her feet, then he released her and stepped back to give her a little space.
“I thought we could hit the steak house over on Villard, if steak sounds good to you.”
“Steak sounds great. You brought the motorcycle, right?”
“I did. Were you looking forward to riding?”
“I am. I like riding with you.”
His face softened and one corner of his mouth curled upward. She wanted to stretch up and kiss those lips, but held back.
“I’m glad to know that. Are you sure you’re okay to ride?”
“I’m fine.”
His eyes skimmed her from head to toe. “You look all ready, you have your keys?”
“I am and I do, or would you like to come in for a few minutes?” She stepped back to invite him in.
Cowboy shook his head and extended one hand. “No, let’s go.”
She put her hand in his and stepped out into the hallway, turning to make sure the door was locked, then walked with him down to the parking lot and his motorcycle.
“Need help with the helmet?” Cowboy asked as he handed it to her.
“I think I can get it but if I need help, I’ll let you know.”
“Okay.” He put his on and messed with the bike for a moment.
Ava fumbled with the catch for a moment, until it caught. “I got it!” she didn’t bother trying to keep the excitement from her voice.
Cowboy turned back to her with a smile. “Let me check, just to make sure you’re safe.”
Ava tilted her head back so he could see the clasp. The soft brush of his fingers against her throat sent heat pooling low in her belly. She wasn’t sure what he did, but when he spoke again, it came in through the speakers in her helmet.
“You did a great job. It usually takes people longer to get the hang of that.” He turned away and threw one leg over the motorcycle. He started and braced it. “Climb on.”
He held everything still while Ava carefully put one foot on the peg and swung her leg over the rear of the motorcycle and settled into the seat behind Cowboy, using a hand on his shoulder to stabilize herself. She wrapped her arms around his middle and snuggled close.
“Ready?” He turned his face toward her, though she was sure he couldn’t see her with the helmet on.
“Ready.”
He walked the motorcycle backwards out of the space, then they zoomed forward as he cranked the accelerator. She found herself grinning as her stomach swooped and flipped then settled as he pulled out onto the street.
When they pulled into the parking lot at the steakhouse a few minutes later, Ava couldn’t help but wish the ride had been longer. Cowboy pulled into a space and killed the engine.
“Hungry?” he asked.
“I am.” She braced herself on his shoulders and carefully stepped off the motorcycle, then fumbled with the catch on her helmet a moment before finding the release. She lifted the helmet off and handed it to him. “I kind of wish this place was farther from my apartment.”
He looked at her a moment, one brow quirked. “Want a longer ride?”
“It would have been nice.” She wondered if he might disagree. Was he glad to get her off the back of his motorcycle? She pushed the errant thoughts from her head and focused on him again.
“We can go for a ride after dinner, if you like.”
“That would be great.”
He put away the helmets in the funny box looking things on either side of the rear wheels, and they went inside.