Chapter 14
Miranda
“Miranda, honey,” my mom says as she makes her way from the barn over to the trailer. “I’m glad you made it back. I half expected you all to come back a day late after you got stuck in those storms.”
Hayden pauses what he’s doing and tips his hat at my mom, causing butterflies to flutter in my belly.
I’ve worked on a ranch my entire life. I should be immune to cowboy charm.
Even in the dim lighting, my eyes keep drifting over to Hayden as he takes it upon himself to lead both horses to their stalls.
“We were both ready to get home.” I steal another glance at Hayden’s retreating back as I answer.
“Well, I’m glad you all made it back in one piece. And I’m glad you weren’t caught in that mess alone. Have you forgiven your father yet?”
I roll my eyes. I wasn’t pissed just because Hayden came with me. It was because my dad didn’t give me a choice. Once again, I was treated like a child and not like a grown woman. That’s why I was pissed.
“I forgave Dad before we even got there to pick the horses up.”
Mom stays put as I close up the trailer.
It’s getting late, so I’ll get it where it goes tomorrow.
I’m just ready to get away from the truck and finally have some space away from Hayden.
I spent the entire drive back trying not to be so aware of him, which was impossible considering I could literally feel him beside me.
Every glance he thought he got away with, I noticed.
“Hayden, I know you must be tired and hungry too,” my traitorous mother begins. I know where she’s going with this.
“Yeah, it was a long drive, for sure,” he agrees. “I’m just glad we made it back.”
“Please stay for dinner. I made chicken alfredo, so of course, there’s plenty. It’ll take me ten minutes to cook some fresh pasta.”
I watch in horror as my mother turns and heads toward the house without waiting for Hayden’s answer.
It’s not unusual, considering he’s close to the family, but I was hoping with every fiber of my being that he would turn down her invitation.
It’s hard enough trying to convince myself there’s nothing between us.
My gaze locks with Hayden’s, and I see the same turmoil reflecting in his eyes before he finally steps forward and speaks. “Can you give your mom my regrets?”
I immediately step back with my hands raised. “Nope. No, sir. Don’t get me wrong, I’m really hoping you can find a good reason to say no, but you’ll have to be the one to do it. If I show up with an excuse, they’ll know something is up.”
“What do you want me to do, Miranda? If I walk down to the house, there’s no way I’ll be able to get out of it.”
I know he’s right, but it doesn’t piss me off any less. This is something I should have thought about before we took that step. We won’t be able to totally avoid each other. There’s just no way when he’s friends with my father. I take some comfort in knowing his distress seems to match my own.
“Fine. You’re right,” I say with an annoyed sigh. “Come on. I’ll just make an excuse to head to my place early. I am tired…”
For some reason, he takes my hand, and I don’t pull away. We walk in comfortable silence, and he doesn’t let go until we get close to the house. I can do this. We managed breakfast with his family friend this morning, and we can get through an informal dinner with my parents.
“Tell us everything.”
We’ve barely made it inside the house before my mom demands story time. Dad is sitting in his recliner, sipping on bourbon, and I watch in relief when Hayden makes his way to the upholstered chair nearest him.
“What do you want to know?” I ask with a wide smile. “We made it down there just fine. Coming home was a different story. Thank goodness for Silver Fox Ranch. Thank goodness for Hayden having that connection. I’m still not happy with the way it all went down, but I’m glad he was there.”
Hayden nods in agreement before I’ve finished. “Yeah, it’s a good thing Martha picked up her phone. There’s no way we would have been able to make it to our original stop.”
My mother clutches at her chest. “I don’t like the sound of that. You shouldn’t be putting yourself at risk.”
I let out a long sigh. “Mom, it’s fine. I would have had to stop for a bit, but I would have made it home. It’s not that big of a deal.”
Shaking her head, she returns to the kitchen, where I hear cabinets opening and closing along with the clatter of dishes.
I curl up on the corner of the couch and busy myself with my phone as I say a silent prayer that my mom is just heating the sauce and cooking the pasta like she said.
The sooner I can get back to my place, the sooner I’ll be able to finally breathe.
When I look up from my phone, I find Hayden’s eyes on me.
His subtle smile helps me relax, but I look away, hiding a smile of my own.
This is the whole reason I can’t wait to get out of this town.
Avoiding each other is impossible, and I find myself entirely too aware of his presence when he’s around.
I always have been. But now I know what he feels like.
What he tastes like. And the way my name sounds on his lips when he comes.
“You okay, honey?” My dad’s voice interrupts my thoughts and causes heat to rise to my cheeks.
“Yeah, why?” I ask, only meeting his gaze for a moment.
“You just seem quiet, that’s all.”
I steal a glance at Hayden, and he might as well be shouting, “I told you so!” I briefly narrow my eyes at him before forcing myself to look at my dad.
“It was a long drive; I’m just tired. I’m ready to eat and then get to bed.”
My dad sets his glass down and looks at his watch before looking back at me. “Oh, I’m sorry. Your mother shouldn’t be much longer with the food. Didn’t you sleep well last night? I’ve gotten some of my best sleep at Silver Fox Ranch.”
Swallowing hard, I of course manage to choke. I cough, swallow, and pat my chest, trying to recover as quickly as possible. “Yeah, but you know how it is sleeping in a strange bed.”
Dad grunts in acknowledgement before getting to his feet. “I’ll check on your mother.”
As soon as he’s out of the room, I look over to find Hayden watching me with a smirk that has no business being so hot. Giving my head a shake, I try to give him a dirty look, but my lips curve into a smile despite my best efforts.
“You’re an asshole,” I hiss.
Hayden laughs and raises his palms. “What the hell did I do? I’m just sitting here minding my business.”
“You know. So, stop.”
I feel his smile—everywhere. And I can’t look away.
By the time I notice my mother standing in the doorway, she’s already looking from me to Hayden with her brow raised.
Once again, my face heats, and all I can do is hope the room is too dark for her to see the color rising to my cheeks.
There is no way I’m going to survive this meal.
“Everything is ready if you two are.”
“Perfect,” I say as I stand up. “I’m starving. Can’t wait to eat, then get to bed.”
My mother gives one last look between us before walking out of the room with a concerning smile on her face. She knows something is up. I’m sure of it. And now I know I’m not going to survive this dinner.