Page 56 of A Cowboy's Trust

“It truly was the least offensive of them,” Jake told her earnestly.

“I like it.” Tansy tucked herself under his arm and focused on the view before them.

The water pouring over the edge of the cliffs into the pool below was at less than fifty percent but still spectacular. Ice dams and icicles clung to the edges, and in the middle where the downpour hit the lake surface, a circle had formed in the ice.

“It’s pretty here,” he said quietly, not wanting to interrupt her thoughts.

“I love the view,” Tansy agreed. She pointed, tracing her finger in the air. “The heart shape of the lake gives the falls and the town their name. Sasha’s grandparents donated this section of land to the town a year before my family moved here. I’ve always loved coming here.”

Jake curled his arm around her shoulders and considered all the directions he could take the conversation at that moment. Ask about her family moving to town, ask about the Stones, who were no longer in the picture.

Ask if she was ready to have the daylights kissed out of her?

But the advice he’d been given that truly made sense was to be himself and focus on them, here and now.

He squeezed her shoulders briefly then reached for the basket. “Ready to start our dining experience?”

“Absolutely. What culinary delight have you created for me?”

“You have to help cook this course,” he warned.

She held off from rolling her eyes. Barely. “Imagine that.”

“Only because this takes multiple hands. We’re having s’mores.” He pulled out marshmallows, chocolate, and cookies.

“For an appetizer?”

“I hear life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.”

Sweet approval shone in her eyes. “My thoughts exactly. Are we roasting over the candle?”

He pulled out the mini torch he’d ordered and held it in the air. “Not that I don’t like apple-cinnamon-scented wax, but this might make things go faster.”

She pulled out a couple of marshmallows, broke off some chocolate, then stabbed the first marshmallow. She lifted the fork for him. “Ready. Light me up, baby.”

He clicked the trigger, careful to aim it to the side.

Nothing happened.

He clicked again.

Tansy snickered.

“One comment from you about all talk and no fire—” he warned.

“What about all wood and no flame?”

The torch lit, flickered feebly, then went out with ahissssss.

Inside, amusement rose hard and fast. Jake tried to keep from laughing, but when he glanced at Tansy to find her staring into the distance, lips compressed tightly as if she were desperately trying to hold it together, he caved.

He threw back his head and laughed until the sound echoed off the hillside. Her bright happiness joined his, and suddenly she was in his lap, hugging him tight as she cupped his face and grinned down.

“We’ll save the s’mores for later. I need to give you something else right now instead.”

She leaned in and kissed him, and the not-so-perfect beginning to their date turned into an awesome beginning at lightning speed.

Jake wrapped his arms around her, sliding his hands under her coat. Stroking and smoothing his palms over the silky smooth fabric of her dress.