Page 13 of A Montana Secret Admirer (Sagebrush Ranch Sweethearts #4)
CHAPTER TEN
This was too much. Serenity had never been on a date like this before. Finn had been a wonderful boyfriend and the perfect husband, but their outings had never consisted of something so… involved.
Maybe that had something to do with the fact that they’d met, dated, and ultimately married young. They enjoyed their walks, hikes, and sunrises. They’d gone to school dances and movies or the occasional fancy restaurant.
But nothing like this.
She drew closer to the blanket. “Birdhouses,” she mused. “Any particular reason?”
Reese grinned at her in that boyish way of his. “I figured we could bring them back to the ranch and let the boys pick a place to put them.”
“Creative, charming, and thoughtful. Looks like I hit the jackpot.” She’d said it lightly, but the way his gaze darkened with something serious had her heart leaping into her throat. He wasn’t angry. This was something else.
Longing?
Desire?
Whatever he was feeling, it was undeniable, and she had to tear her eyes from him before she said or did something stupid.
Like ask him what he was thinking.
Nope. She definitely wasn’t ready for that.
Her eyes flicked up to the sunset, and she allowed herself to watch for a few moments.
Tonight was clear. There weren’t any clouds in the sky.
The pale colors faded into deeper ones the higher she looked.
And a gentle breeze played with the loose hairs around her face.
She breathed in deeply and exhaled before she picked up a brush and started to paint.
The colors were ridiculous—the sort that her sons would have loved to use. They were neon and bright, but perfect for their purpose of nighttime painting.
She shook her head, another laugh spilling from her lips.
“What’s so funny?” Reese demanded. He glanced up at her then down to his birdhouse. “I know I’m not the best painter, but?—”
“No,” she laughed again. “I just can’t believe that we’re doing this. Painting. At night. It’s…”
He frowned, and her expression faltered.
“It’s great, really. I’m loving it. I just never thought that dating as an adult would include…” She gestured to their snacks, the paint—all of it.
His frown didn’t go away.
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not making fun of it, if that’s what you’re worried?—”
“I’m not worried.”
“Then why are you frowning?”
“Am I?” He dragged a palm down his face. “I’m just thinking, that’s all.”
She studied him. “Well, you don’t look happy at all.” When his serious expression didn’t change, she sighed. She refused to let tonight get ruined because she said something wrong. So she swiped her finger into the neon green paint and dragged it down Reese’s cheek.
His stunned expression was absolutely worth it. He blinked, then blinked again.
Then everything changed all at once. He lunged for her, his hand covered in paint.
In mere seconds, they were both covered in bright neon colors and laughing.
Their clothes were definitely ruined, but she couldn’t find the energy to care. At the moment, they were both on their backs, chests heaving. The sky was dark now, and the only light came from their lanterns a few feet away.
She turned her head, the grass tugging at her hair. Reese was smiling at her. “So, what are the jars for?”
His smile widened, and he got to his knees before standing and offering her his hand. She took it, her excitement growing. Without answering her, he brought her to the blanket. Then he picked up a nail and a hammer and started poking holes into the lid.
“Reese?” she asked.
He jutted his chin opposite where they’d parked. There was a meadow of sorts with trees and shrubs.
And little floating, glowing orbs.
Serenity gasped, her eyes locking on the bugs several yards away. Then her eyes widened as they returned to Reese and the net he was holding out to her.
“What do you think? Would Tegan and Jessi like to see some real lightning bugs?”
This was Reese’s idea of a date—treating her to some fun she hadn’t had in a long time while also thinking about her children. She didn’t know what she’d expected, but it certainly wasn’t this.
She took the net, her fingers slowly wrapping around the handle.
“Are you okay?” he whispered.
“Perfect,” she whispered back.
“Then why do you look so… worried?”
“Do I?”
The flat look he gave her was enough to express as much.
She tilted her head slightly and grinned at him. “I’m just thinking that there’s no way anything could top this—tonight. You’ve ruined me.”
He pulled her closer, his hands coming around her waist. Her breath caught in her throat, and she thought for a moment that he’d kiss her. But all he did was lean closer, his lips near her ear, and whisper, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”