Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
Hannah observed Brody as he sat silent, no longer eating his sandwich. Even Cami had stopped leaning against him and lay down next to his outstretched legs. It was as if a deep sadness had enveloped him.
She didn’t want to jar him from his memories. Despite saying that his brother’s death didn’t affect him, it did. Since Brody still held her hand, she sat in silence with him, happy to be of support. The fact was, she’d missed him over the last couple weeks, and as surprising as it was to have him show up on her mountain, she was thrilled he’d come looking for her…literally.
Though she’d thought she’d been depending on him too much because he had so much knowledge she needed and was the first she thought to contact on everything, it wasn’t that at all. It was him in particular. The last two weeks had proved that, as she talked to other people in town, who were all pleased that she’d moved into Four Peaks. Everyone was so helpful, from Sheila at the Western clothing store, to Luke, whom she met at the hardware store and discovered he was Amanda’s brother. He’d invited her to Boots n’ Brew on Saturday, and though she declined the date, she planned to finally check it out, since Nash had recommended it, too.
Even after all that time, she’d still wanted to see Brody, always hoping she’d run into him. Obviously, she’d developed a crush on him without realizing it. That was no surprise. His bright blue eyes and dark hair with the blond highlights were enough to have any woman taking a second look. It wasn’t even his build, which was a bit more muscular than some of the other cowboys she’d seen in town. She knew exactly what it was since she’d fallen for it once before, long ago. It was his kind heart.
As much as he complained about needing more than the ranch, he stayed for his family. Even him searching her out back in Phoenix was to buy her land for his family. Not to mention the dog sitting next to him, who needed him more than anyone. Was that why she found him irresistible and enjoyed every second he continued to hold her hand…as if he needed her?
Last time she’d fallen for someone like Brody, he had left to oversee the drilling of wells for a small town in Africa and ended up marrying a woman he met there. She didn’t see Brody doing that, but he did mention that he flitted from one new experience to another.
Heck, he might not even think of her in terms of someone special. For all she knew, he was just being neighborly. She glanced at their hands entwined, his darkly tanned and rough from ranching, hers just starting to turn color but still soft, despite the papercut she got on her index finger two nights ago unpacking a box.
His hand squeezed hers as he turned to look at her. “Are you ready to head down now?”
A vision of them walking down the mountain hand in hand filled her head. “Just as soon as I finish my sandwich.” She held up the last bite in her other hand. “Unless you think Cami would like it.”
He looked at the dog who raised one eyebrow at him. “No, I think she’s had enough.” He took the final bite of his own sandwich. Then as if it were as natural as getting up in the morning, he let go of her hand and stood. Cami immediately stood next to him, looking at him for what he’d want to do next.
Hannah popped the last bite into her mouth and added the granola bars back into the backpack with the apples. She still wished she could stay put awhile longer, but Brody was right about the safety issue. She’d just have to go online and research a safe way to hike alone, if there was such a thing.
Brody waited as she stood and settled the small backpack into place. She looked around to be sure she hadn’t left any trash, then met his gaze. “I guess I’m ready.”
He held his hand out for her to precede him. She walked by him and around the boulder. As she reached her self-made trail, she stopped. The view was spectacular and the reason she’d made the boulder her lunch place. The whole valley was spread out before her, with the Rocky Road to the right and empty desert to the left. From such a height, the power lines at the other end of her property were as impossible to find as was her casita. Yet, one road going into town was visible, as well as the various buildings on the north side of Main Street. She could almost distinguish the silhouette of the Lucky Lasso.
“Wow.” Brody stopped next to her.
“Isn’t it amazing? Have you never been up here?”
He shook his head. “I stopped to look about halfway up, but this reminds me of my view from a cockpit. Only I never flew over the ranch. I guess I was too busy exploring new places. I didn’t realize how beautiful our valley could be.”
He probably meant nothing by using the term ‘our.’ Or maybe he meant his family. She decided to take it as his family’s and her valley. “You’re so lucky to have grown up here. The desert has a beauty all its own that many people can’t appreciate.”
He turned to look at her. “That’s true. And when the saguaro cacti blossom in May, it would be even more beautiful from this vantage point.”
“I would love to see that.”
Brody looked at her. “You would find it breathtaking.”
Though he said the words about the desert, his gaze focused on her mouth, and her heart jumped in excitement.
“You’re right. I would.” Her words came out in a whisper, her body well aware that he leaned toward her.
“Yes, you would.” His voice had lowered, and his lips drew closer until they touched hers in the softest of kisses.
She closed her eyes as his mouth moved over hers, sending tingles of excitement sparking down to her toes. She parted her lips and his tongue took advantage, deftly slipping into her mouth.
His hands cupped her face as he deepened the kiss, causing her to clasp onto his arms as he explored her mouth. The scent of the ground after a hard rain filled her nostrils, as if he rose from the very mountain they stood on.
Tentatively, she tangled her tongue with his, and one of his hands pulled her closer. She leaned in, feeling protected and cared-for, despite the fact she was slightly dizzy as her body heated with desire.
Brody slowly ended the kiss, leaning his forehead against hers. “I hope you don’t mind.”
She licked her lips. “No, I don’t mind.”
He lifted his head at her answer and stared at her. “You are a unique woman.”
“I’ll take that as a complement.”
His lips twitched up. “And well you should.”
She gave him a soft smile, not sure what the kiss meant, but pleased nonetheless.
“We should probably continue down.”
“Yes.” She waited for him to turn and start down, but he remained where he was, looking at her.
Movement behind him caught her eye and she moved her gaze in time to see Cami disappear around a mesquite tree growing out of a pile of boulders. “Um, Cami just left.”
“What?” He spun. “Cami. Shit, I hope she hasn’t picked up the scent of a cottontail or we’ll be here the rest of the day. Cami!”
The dog suddenly appeared around the corner, but then turned around and disappeared again.
Brody stalked off after her.
Hannah found the whole thing humorous. It was the way Cami looked at Brody, then quickly left as if she were egging him on that had the whole scene playing like a comedy.
“Cami!” Brody’s voice sounded more than a little irritated. Unable to resist, she walked around the boulders and tree and at first didn’t see them. Then she looked up to find Cami digging like her life depended on it and all the dirt and rocks were raining down on Brody who was getting closer.
“What are you after, dog?” He finally reached Cami, who suddenly stopped, lifting her snout from the ground with a bone in her mouth.
“What do you have, girl?” Brody’s tone had softened.
Cami immediately sat and showed him her bone, though she wouldn’t let go when he tried to examine it.
“I hope that’s not a dinosaur bone or you’ll be in big trouble. Now come on. You can keep the bone, but we need to head down the mountain.”
As Brody descended, Cami followed obediently.
When they both reached Hannah, she called Cami. “Can I see?” She was a bit surprised when Cami came over to her. Hannah bent and looked at the bone. “I don’t think that’s a dinosaur bone. My guess is it’s part of a burro.”
“Up here?” Brody stopped next to her to have another look.
“If it was attacked by a predator, it could have been dragged up here. Either that or it’s from another planet.”
Brody chuckled. “I get it. You’re saying it’s not a big deal. But how do you know that?”
“The internet. Do you want to know why I was looking up dinosaur bones, or do you want to take my word?”
He looked from Cami to her. “I’ll take your word.”
She liked that. “Good. Now we’d best head down. I’ve hijacked enough of your day without meaning to.” She looked out at the view and sighed before walking back around the mesquite tree. She could hear his cowboy boots crunching on the dirt as he followed her. They hadn’t gone much farther when he touched her shoulder.
She stopped. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Look over there.” He pointed to an outcropping, where a bald eagle stood looking over the valley.
She sucked in her breath. To see one in the wild was breathtaking. They were rather large birds. She remained absolutely still, hoping it would see something. It was no more than a minute before the bird honed in on its prey, spread its impressive wings, and took flight. She watched, both hopeful it would succeed and fearful for whatever it hunted. It didn’t even land as it snatched something off a large rock and flew into the air. As it came closer, she could see it was a snake.
“That should feed the whole family.”
At Brody’s statement, she tore her gaze from the bird. “What do you mean?”
Again he pointed. “See that dead tree about thirty feet up? I believe that’s a nest. If there are any eaglets in that nest, they should be ready to fly out on their own soon.”
Even as they watched, the bald eagle disappeared behind the branches. “Wow. The wildlife is breathtaking out here.”
“At least that’s one less rattler we have to worry about heading down. Do you want me to go first now?”
“Not at all. You might go off my path.”
His brows raised, but he conceded with a lowering of his head.
She continued down, pausing every so often to enjoy the view. Brody didn’t say anything as he waited patiently for her to continue. Each time she took in the view she was able to focus on the beauty around her, but with every step, she couldn’t stop mulling over his kiss. Could he be feeling the same way she was?
They finally reached her golf cart and his ATV. She took off her backpack and laid it on the seat next to her towel. She draped the towel over the steering wheel. Though the days were cooling, the sun could be brutal.
Brody opened the wagon attached to his ATV. “Come on, Cami. In you go.”
The dog obeyed him, finally dropping the bone as she lay down to enjoy her new find.
Hannah walked over and gave Cami a pat on the head. “Good girl.” She looked to Brody. “She’s very smart.”
He beamed as if Cami were his child. “She is. I’m teaching her more and more commands every week. She loves to learn.”
“I understand that. Thank you for showing me why I can’t go up there again alone, and for pointing out the bald eagle. That’s an experience I’ll never forget.”
His eyebrows lowered. “I’m sure you’ll get to see more bald eagles. They like Four Peaks.”
She gazed upward, not sure she would. She’d have to go with someone like him, which she certainly wouldn’t mind, but if she sold the land… “Well, I appreciate it. I was so focused on my path, I would have missed it.”
He gave a silent nod but made no move to leave. “Tonight, Tanner’s making his mesquite-smoked chicken legs. Would you like to come over for dinner? I don’t imagine you’ve had a chance to make those in your little kitchen yet.”
Her heart leapt at the invitation before she came back to reality. “I can’t. I promised Shelia that I’d meet her for dinner before going to Boots n’ Brews. She says there’s a great country band playing tonight.” She didn’t mention that Sheila had also said a lot of single cowboys would be there.
“Sheila? As in Sheila Langley who owns the country-western wear store in town?”
“Yes. She told me she dated you once.”
Brody looked away, finding the grip on the ATV handles absolutely fascinating.
She grinned, not surprised he wasn’t comfortable. “Don’t worry. Sheila says you’ve dated just about every single lady in town.”
His head snapped up at that. “I have not. There’re just so many people in town, most of whom I went to school with. We don’t get a lot of newcomers. I’ve dated maybe a handful and went out with a few more. She’s exaggerating.”
Hannah laughed. “I know. I noticed she exaggerates almost everything. Did you know a million people descend on Four Peaks during Pioneer Days?”
He closed his eyes as if looking for his patience and not finding it. He opened them again. “That’s a crock. We’re lucky if we get twenty thousand over the three days, and for some retailers, that business has to last them the whole year.”
That wasn’t much. The Barret Jackson car show in Scottsdale got hundreds of thousands. “That explains why Sheila gives guitar lessons on the side. Anyway, I promised I’d go with her. Maybe I could come over another time?”
“Sure.” He shrugged as if he didn’t care one way or the other. “I’d better get back. I told Nash we needed to finish the roof of the birthing enclosure, but Layne just put our sick heifer in there.” He turned on the ATV.
She wasn’t sure how to read him. Did he really not care, or was he disappointed? She’d prefer the latter, but maybe he went around kissing women all the time. She’d have to find out tonight without asking outright. She had noticed that everyone knew everyone in town. She didn’t want to start rumors about her and Brody. Her instinct said he wouldn’t appreciate that. “Yeah, I better get back, too. I still have to finish reviewing a proposed budget and a few other items. Thanks again for a memorable hike.”
Starting the golf cart, she waved at him before turning around and heading back toward her casita. Maybe he did go around kissing women when he felt like it or maybe he liked her. He did invite her to dinner, and as much as she wanted to accept, she never went back on her word.
She shook her head as she drove around a large barrel cactus. Nope, she wasn’t going to drive herself crazy wondering. As her grandmother said, if things were meant to be, they would be. Right now she had some e-mails to send and a fun night at a country-western bar to get ready for. That was what being part of a community was about, and she definitely liked the feeling of belonging she had in Four Peaks. No wonder her grandparents asked her to stay a while. It had only been a month, and already she knew half the townspeople. It was a very special place. Maybe even one she didn’t want to leave.