Chapter Two
After Retta paid for her haul of T-shirts and trinkets from the third store they’d been in, Travis expertly maneuvered her wheelchair outside, back onto the sidewalk. She looked up over her shoulder at him, and all her breath caught in her chest when she found him smiling right back at her – those big, blue eyes of his twinkling.
“Where to next, m’lady?”
She laughed. “I think it’s time we went back to the truck and headed home, don’t you? You’ve gone above and beyond this afternoon – and I appreciate it. I don’t want to take advantage.”
He came around the wheelchair to stand in front of her and winked. “You won’t hear me complaining about it if you want to take advantage of me.”
She shook her head at him. “You’re just a big old flirt, aren’t you?”
He nodded happily. “You got me. Have to tell you, though, flirting’s usually as far as I go, but for you, I could be persuaded to go a lot further – if you wanted me to.”
She held his gaze for a long moment before shaking her head again. “We talked about this, Travis. You know how things are for me.”
He blew out an exaggerated sigh. “I know that you’re still clinging to some old, outdated ideas that might have served you well when you were a young, single mom. But I’m telling you, darlin’, they’re only holding you back now.”
She frowned. “Holding me back how?”
“From getting on with your life – from actually living it. I get that Callie was your focus when she was a kid, but she has her own life now. I reckon it’s about time you think about living yours again.”
“I do! I live a decent life. I know it might not look that way at the moment – not while I’m just hanging out at Callie and Kolby’s place doing nothing. But it’s because of my damn leg. I can’t do much of anything until I’m back on my feet. When I am, I’ll go home. Back to my life. I have my job, I have friends, I have my own little house. It’s not much – you’ve seen it – but it’s nice.”
“You know I loved your little house; you have a real touch for making a place feel like a home. And I wasn’t saying that you don’t have a life – just that you could be doing a lot more living if you’d let yourself.”
She held his gaze. She wasn’t going to ask him what he meant. She was ninety-nine percent sure that she already knew. He meant that she’d be happier if she had a man in her life. She swallowed. He’d offered himself for the position when they first got to know each other.
At the time, she’d thought that he was just a big old flirt who was looking for a quick fling. And she’d been tempted. She’d dated a few men over the years, but she’d never gone out with anyone more than a handful of times. She might have gone out with Travis if he wasn’t so close to her daughter’s husband but …
He gave her a rueful smile. “I’ll drop it – for now, but I’m not giving up.”
She had to smile. “Thanks.”
He laughed. “For dropping it or not giving up?”
“Both?”
“Okay, then. Are you really ready to leave or were you just trying to go easy on me? I can wheel you in and out of souvenir stores till they close ‘em down if it’ll make you happy.” He chuckled. “I have more staying power than you’re giving me credit for.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “I’m not going to test your staying power this afternoon – in any respect. I’ve seen everything I want to here, thanks. I would still like to see your place if you don’t think it’s too late.”
He checked his watch. “I’ve got all the time in the world, darlin’. It’s later than I thought, though. Do you want to let Callie know that you’re staying for dinner?”
She chuckled. “I am?”
“You might as well, it’ll almost be that time when we get back up there.”
She checked her own watch. “Either you eat very early, or your idea of almost is a couple of hours.”
He shrugged happily. “I’m just trying to set up in advance that I get to keep you for the evening. Don’t want to make Callie mad at me.”
“Okay, I’ll text her and tell her that I’m going to have dinner with you.”
“Awesome. You sure you don’t want to do any more shopping while we’re here?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
When they got back to his truck, he took all her bags and put them on the back seat for her before opening the passenger door.
“Are you ready?”
She nodded. “Thanks, Travis. I hate to be a burden like this.”
“It’s no burden. If you think about it, it works out pretty well for me.”
She laughed. “I know you like to put a positive spin on things but come on, how’s this working out well for you?”
He grinned and offered her his hands. She let him help her to her feet and clung to his arms when he put his hands on her hips to hold her steady. “I get to pick you up all I like!”
She had to laugh as he slid his arm around her and lifted her. Instead of plonking her straight onto the passenger seat, he held her close to his chest and smiled down at her.
“I like it,” he said.
As she stared up into his eyes, she reached her arms up around his shoulders – where else was she supposed to put them? She liked it too, but she didn’t think she should admit it. She had a feeling that if she gave him the slightest encouragement, he’d push for more.
She loved the little smirk on his face as he raised his eyebrows. “I know you’re not going to tell me that you like it, too, but you don’t dislike it, do you?”
She smiled in spite of herself. “I don’t, but you should probably put me in the truck now.”
He grinned. “We could just stand around here for a while.”
She had to laugh. “We could, but we shouldn’t.”
He blew out an exaggerated sigh as he carefully set her in the passenger seat. “You okay?”
“I am, thanks.”
He reached across to fasten the seat belt for her, and when he looked up, his nose was just inches from hers.
Her heart pounded in her chest. He was so close that it’d be easy to kiss him – to just lean forward and … and what was she thinking?
His expression turned more serious, and he said, “I’m glad you didn’t tell me to give up – I’m not going to.”
Before she could reply, he’d stepped back and closed her door and was on his way around to the driver’s side.
As they rode back up the valley, Retta texted Callie to let her know that she wouldn’t be home for dinner. She waited for a while, but Callie didn’t respond, so she slipped her phone back into her purse.
“How long are you planning on staying?” Travis asked.
She looked over at him, grateful for the chance to be able to do so while he had his attention on the road. He was a handsome devil. She wouldn’t have thought that a man who looked the way he did was her type – but she would have been wrong. There was something about him. He was big, tall, and muscular. His arms were covered in tattoos, and she’d never found those particularly attractive – until now. And she wasn’t usually attracted to men with beards, but there was no denying that she was attracted to him.
He chuckled. “Let me know when you’re done looking, and I’ll ask again.”
“Oh!” She could feel the heat in her cheeks. Just because his attention was on the road, it didn’t mean that he couldn’t tell that she was looking at him – checking him out – instead of answering his question. She couldn’t even remember what the question was. “I …”
“It’s alright, darlin’. I’m not offended. You look all you like.”
She had to laugh. “You’re not shy, are you?”
“Nope. Never have been. And you shouldn’t be either. You want to check me out, go right ahead.”
“You’re just so … different.”
He glanced over at her. “Different? I was hoping for handsome, or sexy, or maybe even irresistible, but different? I hope you mean good different.”
“I do. You’re different from other men I know.”
He shot her another quick look. “You mean the men you normally date?”
“I don’t normally date.”
“Well, then I guess that’s how I can be different.”
“How?”
“You can date me.”
He looked so pleased with himself as he said it, she had to laugh.
“I can, can I?”
“You know it – any time you like, as often as you like.”
It was a tempting offer – while she was here. Spending time with him was a lot more enjoyable than hanging out at Callie’s house, feeling like she was in the way.
“You know you want to.”
“You’re not short on confidence, are you?”
He chuckled. “I’m not short in any respect.”
She had to laugh.
“I meant that I’m six-three, darlin’. What did you think I meant?”
“That you’re tall, of course – what else?”
He shot her a quick grin. “So, how long are we going to dance around it?”
She shrugged. “I already told you how things are for me. I told you right from the beginning. Yes, I find you attractive, but I’m not sure that it’s a good idea for us to date.”
“I’m making progress, then.”
“How do you figure that?”
“In the beginning, you told me it would be a bad idea. Last time, you told me that it wouldn’t be a good idea. Now, you’re not sure. I’ll just keep at it while you get to thinking it’s not a terrible idea, and eventually, that it’s a great idea. That’s why I was asking how long you plan to stay.”
She made a face. “Not long. You already know that, Travis. I intend to go home just as soon as I can.”
“Doesn’t mean we can’t have fun while you’re here.”
She shook her head slowly.
“And since you’re putting me under pressure, I have to step up.”
“What?” she spluttered. “I’m not putting you under pressure, I …”
He laughed. “I meant time pressure. I know I don’t have long.”
She let out a short laugh. “You’re something else.”
“I am – glad you noticed.” He glanced over at her. “Seriously, darlin’. If I’m being a pain in the ass – if you’re not interested – just say so. I’m not going to tiptoe around it; I’d like to take you out, see what might happen for us. But most importantly, I want to be a friend to you, okay?”
“Okay. And …”
“What?”
“Thanks, Travis.”
They were almost back to MacFarland Ranch, where Callie lived, when he turned off the highway.
Retta looked around. “I didn’t realize that you were this close to the ranch.”
“Yep. I’m their new next-door neighbor.”
The driveway was lined with trees and curved sharply away from the road. She was surprised to see a large building with a whole parking lot in front of it. There was only one truck there, though.
She gave him a puzzled look. “Do you expect to have a lot of company?”
He laughed and parked in the spot closest to the doors. “I’m hoping that this whole parking lot will be full much of the time, but not with folks coming to see me – with customers; this is the restaurant.”
“Oh! Of course. Callie told me a little bit about what you plan to do here.”
“I’ll tell you all about it, if you like. First of all, do you want to see inside? I need to run in and have a word with Ty before he leaves, but if you’re not interested …”
She nodded rapidly. “I’d love to see it, if you don’t mind.”
“Then wait right there, I’ll be around.”
He got the wheelchair out and ready for her before he opened her door. She’d already unfastened her seat belt, and he held his arms out to her.
“You ready?”
“Yep.”
She closed her eyes and let him lift her down from the truck. She should probably make more of an effort to do it herself, and only let him assist her when necessary. But it seemed that he wasn’t the only one who enjoyed the way he kept picking her up.
Instead of sitting her in the wheelchair, he let her feet touch the ground, and she tried to find her balance. He kept his arm around her and smiled.
“I’ve got you. I just thought you might like to stand for a minute.”
She looked up into his eyes. “Thanks. It does feel good to be on my own two feet.”
He nodded. “I figured. But just because you can stand on ‘em, doesn’t mean you have to. Doesn’t mean that I’m not here to help you, either.”
She met his gaze. It might just be her imagination, but it seemed like he was talking about more than her ability to stay on her feet while wearing a cast.
“Hey, Trav. Retta.”
They both turned when Tyler came outside.
“Hey, squirt. How’s it going in there?”
Tyler grinned. “Great. I cannot wait until the day we open the doors.”
“Me neither.”
Tyler smiled at Retta. “It’s good to see you out and about. How’re you feeling?”
“I’m doing better, thanks. And I have to tell you, I’m glad to be out and about.”
Tyler was Kolby’s twin brother. Retta hated to think that Kolby might have been bitching to him about having his mother-in-law staying with them. Kolby was a sweetheart, and he hadn’t given any indication that he was unhappy with her presence, but …
Tyler gave her a warm smile. “I’ll bet you are. Kolby says that Callie’s hovering over you all the time.”
“She doesn’t have to. I’ll only be there until I can …”
Travis tightened his arm around her waist. “They love having you. They’re both hoping that you’ll stay.”
Tyler nodded. “Kolby’s been talking for ages about trying to persuade you to move up here. I know this wasn’t the ideal way to get you here …” He jerked his chin toward the cast on her leg “…but at least you’re here now.”
Retta held his gaze, and he chuckled.
“He also told me that you feel like you’re in the way. And I’ll bet that now, you’re wondering if I’m bullshitting you to make you feel better, right?”
She had to laugh. “Yes, to be honest, I am. Who wants their mother-in-law staying with them?”
“Ah, see – I didn’t say anything about you staying with them. Although he hasn’t bitched about it. He’s glad you’re here. But I don’t think he’s hoping that you’ll move in with them – just that you’ll move to the valley.”
She nodded slowly. That possibility hadn’t even occurred to her. When Callie had talked about her moving here before, she hadn’t given it any serious consideration. Now, she was only here because she couldn’t be by herself. She looked up at the mountains. Would she want to build a life here?
As if he were reading her thoughts, Travis said, “You’ve got a ready-made set of friends and family waiting to welcome you if you do.”
She looked up at him, and he smiled.
“It’s true,” Tyler added. “Are you coming to the big house for lunch on Sunday?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Ty smiled. “I hope you will. I know you don’t know me yet, but you’re my twin’s mother-in-law, so I reckon that makes us close.”
She had to smile. He reminded her of Travis in a way. He looked all tough, but he was a sweetheart.
“I suppose it does.”
“I need to get going, Shay and Libby should be done at the barn by now, but I’ll see you soon, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I’ll see you in the morning, squirt.”
He climbed into his truck, and Travis set her down in the wheelchair. “Sorry, I should’ve let you sit instead of keeping you on your feet.”
“It’s fine. I enjoyed having a conversation at eye level. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to do that.”
He frowned and squatted down in front of her. “I should’ve thought about that before now.”
She laughed. “I wasn’t complaining! And you don’t need to get down like that just to talk to me.”
He grinned. “I do. I like it.” He gripped the arms of the chair and leaned in close. For a second, she thought that he was going to kiss her. Instead, he whispered in her ear, “How can I expect you to see eye to eye with me if I’m up there and you’re down here?”
He pulled back to look into her eyes.
“And what exactly do you want me to see eye to eye with you over?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Guess we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?”