Chapter Five
Aftyn wove back through the cluster of stools and slipped onto the one beside Cole.
“Aftyn, this is Liam Flynn. Liam, Aftyn Hutchins.”
Liam extended his hand with a grin. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“You too.” She leaned toward Cole and lowered her voice. “He’s very handsome.” Cole rolled his eyes and she laughed.
The band launched into When a Woman Loves a Man, a song by Lee Roy Parnell, the familiar guitar riff echoing off the exposed brick walls.
Cole turned toward her. “Would you like to dance?”
She hopped off the stool. “I would.”
He took her hand and guided her onto the floor, drawing her gently into his arms. She wrapped her hands around his neck, his curved around her waist, and they swayed to the mellow chords.
Each time he shifted she caught a faint trace of his aftershave, warm and clean.
She tilted her head back and studied his profile in the soft lantern light.
Kind, patient, good-humored. She could feel how easily her heart might follow him anywhere. But her real destination lay elsewhere. Once she found Avery and got her car back, she’d be on the road to Colorado. Still, would it hurt to enjoy his company while she was here?
As the last notes faded, the band shifted into a more lively song. Cole shook his head apologetically. Aftyn was ready to return to their stools when Liam stepped between them.
“Would you mind if I asked Aftyn to dance?”
Cole shrugged and glanced at her. “Up to you.”
Aftyn smiled. “I’d love to.”
“I’ll bring her right back, Cole.” Liam took her hand and led her onto the floor.
He spun her beneath the string lights, and she threw back her head laughing each time he pulled her close before spinning her away again.
When the song ended, Liam escorted her back and gave Cole a quick bow before drifting to the far end of the bar, where Siobhan slid a frosty mug toward him and planted a kiss on his lips.
Aftyn nudged Cole’s elbow. “He can dance.”
Cole shook his head with mock despair. “Between Liam, Brett Watkins, and Devin Callahan, the rest of us don’t stand a chance.”
“Don’t you like dancing?”
“Sure,” he admitted, “but I’d rather not make a fool of myself.”
Aftyn laughed. “Most people feel that way until they’ve had enough liquor. After that, nobody cares.”
He chuckled. “True.”
An hour later, Grant stepped onto the stage and the crowd erupted. Spotlights flared to life, illuminating his relaxed stance as he lifted the mic.
“Is he going to sing?” Aftyn leaned closer so her words carried over the noise.
“He likes sitting in with local bands.”
She watched as Grant launched into a soulful ballad, his voice filling the room with the same confident timbre she remembered from his country star days. A few songs later Kay climbed up beside him, their harmonies weaving through the rafters.
“A free concert,” Aftyn murmured.
During the intermission she finished her wine and set the empty glass on the bar. “Whenever you’re ready to go.”
Cole stood and offered his hand. “Ready when you are.”
She slipped off the stool. “Let’s get out of here. I’m planning to be lazy tomorrow.”
“My Sundays always are.” He chuckled, then tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll ride out through the fields, check on the barley and peas, but mostly take it easy until dinner at my parents’.”
“That sounds perfect.” Her eyes sparkled.
“Do you ride? Other than when being rescued.”
Aftyn laughed. “Yes. I love horses.”
“Then you should join me tomorrow.”
“Seriously? I’d love to.”
“I’ll pick you up around ten.”
“Perfect.”
He guided her toward the door, hand warm around hers. Outside, the night air was still sweltering, parking lot lights casting long shadows across the asphalt. At the truck he opened her door, held her hand until she clicked her seatbelt in place.
“Your manners are impressive,” she said as he climbed in.
He buckled up. “My parents thank you.”
Aftyn leaned back with a contented sigh. Tonight had been better than she’d imagined.
“Thank you for asking me. I had a wonderful time.”
The engine rumbled to life. “I’m glad I did.” He pulled out of the lot. “Where did your parents come up with Aftyn?”
“My great-great-grandmother’s name.”
“I like it. It suits you.”
He pulled onto Main Street, then through the parking lot of the diner and parked beside the steps to her apartment.
The porch light fell softly over them as they climbed, and at the top she leaned back against the door, hands behind her back, watching him.
Her heart did a small flip when he placed his hands on the doorframe on either side of her.
“Goodnight, Cole.” She held his gaze. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The corners of his eyes crinkled. “Go inside. I’ll wait until I hear the lock.”
She fumbled with her keys, found the right one, and pushed the door open.
As she closed it she caught one last glimpse of him standing there, tall and still in the porch light.
A smile pulled at her lips as she turned the deadbolt.
His boot heels rang on the metal stairs, growing fainter with each step.
She pressed her ear to the door, listening until his truck rumbled to life and the sound of tires on gravel faded into the night.
Only then did she reach out and extinguish the porch light.
She made her way down the narrow hallway to her bedroom, fingertips trailing the wall, the smile refusing to leave her face.
The memory of the evening lingered. Clinking glasses, the music, Cole’s laugh.
She would love to see him again, but she had to be honest with herself.
She was temporary here. Starting something with Cole would be like planting seeds in soil she knew she’d never stay to tend.
****
Cole entered the barn Sunday morning, the scent of hay and horses settling over him as he strode along the sawdust-covered aisle. Sunlight streamed through the dusty windows, catching two of his ranch hands shoveling soiled bedding from the stalls.
“Morning, Cole.” Gunnar leaned on his pitchfork, sweat already darkening his T-shirt.
“Morning. You two are working early.”
“Supposed to get hot. Figured we’d get ahead of it.” Gunnar wiped his brow with a bandana from his back pocket.
“Good thinking.”
Landon’s lanky frame appeared from behind a stall door, wisps of straw clinging to his jeans. “Need any help?”
“No thanks. I’m heading out shortly, then coming back for a ride.” Cole ran a hand along the smooth wooden railing, worn from years of use.
“Don’t see you out here on Sundays much.”
“I invited someone to ride with me.” Cole moved toward the wall where the leather bridles hung, gleaming from recent oiling.
“Want me to get the horses saddled?” Gunnar asked.
“I’ll do it when I get back. Just getting the tack ready now.” He paused. “I have to go pick her up.”
“It’s a woman?” Landon’s eyebrows shot up toward his sweat-dampened hairline.
Cole raised an eyebrow. “I can’t take a woman riding?”
“It’s not that. It’s just that you haven’t…” Gunnar shook his head, exchanging a look with Landon.
Cole smirked. “It’s not like that. We’re not dating.
” He paused. “I’m sure Rio told you about the woman Masher chased?
” Their expressions brightened with recognition and he continued.
“It’s her. I took her to Dewey’s last night and asked her to ride today.
She doesn’t get out much without a vehicle. ”
“How’s Chuck coming along on her car?” Landon asked, brushing hay from his shirt.
Cole removed his Stetson, raked his fingers through his hair, and resettled it. “Hasn’t started on it yet, far as I know. You know how backed up his shop gets.”
“He needs to hire somebody. Clifton’s busier now.”
“True.” Cole headed for the tack room. “Don’t stay out in this heat too long.”
“Yes, sir.”
The tack room wrapped around him with the familiar scent of leather and saddle soap, dust dancing in the slanted sunlight from the small window. He gathered tack for his gelding, then pulled what Aftyn would need, the leather creaking as he slung it over his shoulder.
Outside, the sun hit him like a physical weight, heat waves shimmering above the cracked earth.
He yanked open the truck door and recoiled at the blast of superheated air.
The seats looked ready to sizzle skin on contact.
He leaned in just far enough to twist the key and crank the A/C to maximum, then slammed the door and retreated to the house to wait.
As morning light spilled across the fields, Cole steered toward town, the engine’s low rumble filling the cab.
He watched the mist lift off the blacktop and glanced at the empty passenger seat.
What the hell are you doing? He was attracted to her, and he had a feeling she felt the same.
But it couldn’t go any further than that.
“Who said it even would?” he muttered.
He exhaled and rolled onto Main Street, the diner lights still glowing out onto the sidewalk. He eased through the parking lot and circled to the rear, parking at the metal stairs.
Cole killed the engine, climbed out, and stomped up the steps. He tapped once on the door. A moment later the latches clicked and it swung open.
“Hi, come in.” Aftyn stepped into the slant of sunlight from the doorway.
He removed his hat and wiped his boots on the mat.
She looked beautiful. Faded jeans that hugged her hips, a sky-blue T-shirt, and cowboy boots with blue stitching.
Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail that revealed the curve where her neck met her shoulder, a spot he’d love to trace with his fingertips under very different circumstances.
“Good morning.” His voice caught. “Glad to see you have boots.”
She glanced down and shrugged. “I’ve had them for years. I just rarely get to ride anymore.” She scooped up a small purse and twirled the strap around one finger. “Ready when you are.”
“Do you have a hat?” He shifted his weight as light pooled at her feet.
She bit her lower lip, a small habit he’d already memorized, and he found himself staring. “No.”
“I’m sure I have one you can use.” He smiled. “I thought I’d pack us lunch too, if that’s alright.”
“Yes. I’m sure I’ll be hungry by then.”
She picked up her keys and nodded toward the door. Cole opened it and she stepped onto the landing beneath the pale sky. She dropped the keys into his outstretched palm. He locked up, handed them back, and watched her tuck them into her purse.
He guided her down the steps, fingers brushing the small of her back, and opened the passenger door. She eased in with a soft exhale as the cooler air filled the cab. He swung around to his side and slid in.
“It’s humid this morning,” she said, fingers trailing along the windowsill.
“Supposed to get hotter.” He glanced at the sky.
“A ride will feel nice.”
He shifted into gear. “We’ll head out to the pond. Do you fish?”