Chapter Seven #2
Blair looked at him and he looked back. His eyes dropped to her lips for just a moment, then came back up to meet hers.
“I want to kiss you,” he said quietly. “But if you’re not ready, just say so.”
“I’m not going to say no,” she whispered.
He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, and the softness of them drew a low sound from somewhere in his chest. He brought his hand up to her cheek as the kiss deepened.
Her arms slid around his neck and her fingers found their way into his hair, and he slowly laid her back onto the blanket, staying beside her, taking his time with her the way he’d promised himself he would.
He lifted his lips from hers and looked at her.
“I knew it would be good.”
“That was better than good.” She smiled.
He laughed softly. “I agree.” He glanced toward the mountains and his expression shifted. “We should head back. See those clouds?”
Blair followed his gaze to where dark clouds were building over the peaks. “Yes. Let’s go.”
They got to their feet and Hud shook out the blanket, rolled it and tied it back behind the saddle. As he checked the cinch on Toffee, Blair touched the rifle sheath.
“I just noticed you have a rifle.”
“I always ride with one out here.”
“You shoot the wildlife?”
“Only if I have to. Usually firing at the ground is enough to send them off.”
She looked at him. “What kind of wildlife are we talking about?”
Hud kept his eyes on the cinch. “Oh, you know. The usual.”
“Bears?”
He winced. “Uh, yeah.”
“I am ready to go right now.”
“Blair, they want nothing to do with us.”
“Grizzlies?”
“Grizzlies, black bears, moose, elk, wolves, the occasional fox.” He took her hand and walked her to Toffee. “Trust me, they’re more afraid of you than you are of them.”
Blair put her foot in the stirrup and swung up. “Obviously you have no idea how afraid of them I am.”
Hud grinned. “Fair point.”
“Have you actually seen them up close?”
“A few times. This is their world. I’m just living in it.” He gathered Lady’s reins. “They’ll leave you alone as long as you leave them alone.”
“They don’t have to worry about me. I have zero interest in getting near any of them.”
Hud glanced at the clouds. “Let’s move. Those are coming in fast.” He swung up and looked over at her. “You experienced enough to run him?”
“Let’s find out.” She put her heels to Toffee and took off, and by the time Hud got Lady turned around Blair had a good lead on him.
He let her keep it for a while.
Truth was there weren’t many horses that could match Lady’s stride when she opened up, but he hung back and watched Blair ride. She rode well. He caught up just as the barn came into sight and she glanced over with a grin that told him she knew exactly what he’d done.
They made it inside just as the first bolt split the sky, followed by a crack of thunder that shook dust from the rafters.
They cooled the horses down and got them settled in their stalls with fresh oats and water. Blair drifted to the barn doors and stood looking out at the rain coming down in sheets across the yard.
Hud stepped up beside her. “Would you like to go out tonight?”
“I would. Where?”
“Dinner at the diner, then Dewey’s for a while.”
“That sounds good.” She watched the rain. “Once this lets up I’ll head home. What time?”
“Six-thirty work for you?”
“Perfect.”
The rain eased enough for them to make a run for it. They crossed the yard at a sprint and climbed onto the porch, breathing hard and laughing.
“Come inside for a while,” he said.
“I’m going to head home. I want to relax before tonight.” She squeezed his hand.
“Let me get you a towel for your seat.” He went inside and came back quickly. “Keep it.”
“I had a really good time, Hud.”
“Me too.” When the rain slowed to a drizzle he walked her down the steps and opened her car door. He leaned down and kissed her softly. “See you tonight, darlin’.”
She grinned up at him. “What?”
“Darlin’.” She shook her head. “Sexy cowboy jargon.”
She kissed him quickly, got in and drove off with a wave out the window.
Hud stood in the driveway with his hands on his hips and watched until her taillights disappeared around the bend, then turned and went inside.
****
Blair drove home with her wipers on high, the rain coming down hard and the wind pushing her car enough to notice. Lightning strobed across the sky every few minutes. She hoped it would blow through before tonight.
She pulled up to the townhouse and sat for a moment watching the rain sheet across the windshield, her mind drifting back to the pond, the blanket, Hud’s hand on her cheek.
She smiled at the steering wheel like a teenager and didn’t even care.
When thunder rattled the windows she grabbed her bag, pulled her sweater over her head and made a run for the door.
Inside she leaned against the closed door and pushed wet hair from her face. The townhouse was quiet and cool. She dropped her bag on the chair, kicked off her boots and padded to the kitchen to put the kettle on.
Her phone buzzed on the counter. Celine.
“Hey.”
“Well? How did it go?”
Blair smiled. “Really well.”
“Define really well.”
“We rode out to this gorgeous pond, had lunch, talked.” She paused. “He kissed me.”
Celine made a sound somewhere between a shriek and a laugh. “So, are you seeing him again?”
“Tonight. Dinner at the diner and then Dewey’s.”
“Going back to where it all started.” The smile was audible in her voice. “Blair, I’m happy for you. It’s about time you let someone in.”
Blair looked out the window at the rain. “Don’t make it into something it isn’t yet.”
“I’m not. I’m just saying.” A pause. “Call me tomorrow.”
“I will. Goodnight, Celine.”
She set the phone down, poured her tea and curled up on the sofa, listening to the rain and hoping it would wear itself out before six-thirty.
It mostly did. By the time she was ready to think about getting dressed the sky had lightened to a dull gray and the worst of it had moved on.
She pulled out a soft emerald-green top that draped nicely and held it up in the mirror.
That worked. She laid it on the bed alongside her favorite dark wash jeans and stepped into the bathroom to shower.
The rain was still hammering the windows when she got out.
She dried her hair, put on a little makeup, nothing too heavy, just enough, then wrapped herself in her robe and went back to the kitchen and poured the last of the tea.
She stood at the window watching the storm.
It had backed off some but hadn’t quit entirely.
The lightning had moved on at least, leaving just a steady rain and the occasional gust of wind rattling the glass.
She was still standing at the counter, mug in hand, when her phone buzzed at six-fifteen.
On my way.
She set the mug down and headed to the bedroom. Jeans, green top, sneakers. A quick check in the mirror, a little adjusting, and she was satisfied. She grabbed her sweater from the hook by the door and dropped her phone into her bag just as headlights swept across the front window.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d looked forward to a night out this much.
She opened the door before he had a chance to knock. Hud stood on the step in a dark button-down shirt, fresh jeans and boots, hat in hand, and he looked good enough to make her glad she’d picked the green top.
His eyes moved over her and he smiled. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She pulled the door shut and locked it. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”
He chuckled and took her hand as they walked to his truck. He opened the passenger door, waited while she climbed in, then closed it and came around to his side.
“Did the rain give you trouble on the way over?” she asked as he started the engine.
“It’s letting up. Roads are fine.” He glanced over as he pulled out. “Hungry?”
“Starving. That sandwich was a long time ago.”
“The diner will fix that.”
“I love that place.” She settled back in the seat. “The burgers are incredible.”
“Best in town.” He grinned. “That’s what I’m having.”
“Me too. And pie after.”
He glanced over. “Now you’re talking.”
Blair laughed and watched the wet streets slide by outside the window. The storm had left everything clean and bright under the streetlights. She felt relaxed in a way she hadn’t in a while, easy and unhurried, and she realized it had everything to do with the man beside her.
The rain eased to a fine mist as they drove, the wipers keeping lazy time across the glass. Then the diner lights came into view, and he was pulling into the lot.
“Looks crowded,” Blair said.
“Saturday night.” He drove slowly through the lot until he found a spot the truck could fit and pulled in. “Sit tight, I’ll get your door.”
“You’ll get soaked.” She pushed it open and hopped out, then hurried around to his side just as the rain picked up again. A crack of thunder split the air directly overhead and she shrieked and grabbed his arm, then laughed. “I was not ready for that.”
“Come on.” He took her hand and they ran for the entrance, pushing through the door in a burst of damp air and laughter.
The diner was warm and loud and smelled like coffee and good food. Several people looked up and called out as they made their way to a booth, and they nodded and waved their way through the room.
Blair slid in across from him. “This town doesn’t know a stranger. The first time I came in here with Celine it shocked me how everyone already knew her name. Now when I come in alone I get the same treatment. I love it.”
“That’s Clifton. They’ll welcome you with open arms and treat you like family.” Hud set his hat on the seat beside him. “Unless you come in looking for trouble. Sam doesn’t put up with that.”
“Good. Every town needs someone like that.”
Connie appeared beside the booth, pad in hand, a smile on her face that suggested she’d already clocked them as a pair and filed it away for later. “What can I get you two on this rainy night?”
“My usual, please,” Blair said.
Connie looked at Hud.
“My usual. But no onions tonight.” He grinned across the table.
Blair laughed. “None on mine either, Connie.”
“Smart thinking, both of you.” She winked and tucked her pad away. “Back in a few.”
When their meals arrived, they dug in and the conversation drifted easily back over the day. Blair mentioned wanting to go riding again.
“Come out any weekend you want,” Hud said, dragging a fry through the ketchup on his plate.
“I don’t want to impose every weekend. I’m sure you have things going on.”
“Most Saturdays I’m working around the barn anyway. Sundays I stay lazy until dinner at my father’s.” He shrugged. “And even if I’m out on a case, you’re still welcome to take a horse out. I’d just want you to carry a walkie-talkie.”
“In case a bear shows up,” she said.
He smiled. “Among other things.”
They finished their meals and Connie cleared the plates, then looked at Blair expectantly.
“Pie?”
“One slice,” Hud said, glancing across the table. “Apple?”
“With ice cream,” Blair agreed.
When Connie walked away Blair leaned back in the booth and looked at him. “I had a really good time today.”
“So did I.” He smiled. “Best Saturday I’ve had in a while.”
“Even with the storm chasing us in?”
“Especially that part.”
Connie returned with one generous slice of apple pie, a scoop of vanilla melting down the side, and two forks. Blair took the first bite and closed her eyes.
“That is ridiculous.”
Hud laughed. “The best.”
They lingered over the pie longer than necessary, talking easily, in no hurry to move on.
Blair realized she couldn’t remember the last time she’d sat across from someone and felt this comfortable this soon, especially given how rocky their start had been.
It was a good feeling. She didn’t want to examine it too closely. Just let it be what it was.