Page 9 of Save A Horse (Texas Rose Ranch #1)

Colt

S he walked out of the room and stood in the hallway. I leaned back in my chair, taking her all in.

“It’s not right, is it?” She looked down at her dress, fidgeting with it. “I should go change into something else, shouldn’t I?” I shook my head no, trying to find the words to describe how good she looked in that dress.

“Well, darlin’, you look like a breath of fresh air on a hot summer day.” She stopped fidgeting to look up at me. “Are you ready?”

“I guess I am.” She smiled, and I felt a feeling I hadn't felt since a teenager.

I opened the door for her, following behind her as we walked out to my truck. I opened that door, taking in how the black dress was hugging her just right. When we got to the bar, I opened the door for her and took the lead to find us a booth to sit at .

“You can wait here while I go grab us a couple of beers.” I came back with one in each hand, giving her one of them. “Have you decided what you want to eat?”

“What do you usually get?” I let out a small laugh.

“I’m a cowboy in Texas. Burger or steak is my thing.” She nodded.

“I’ll take a burger and fries then.” When the waiter came over to us, I ordered each of us the same.

“So…what made you ask me to come here with you tonight? I didn’t expect it.”

“No, I guess not.”

“I mean, you were pretty closed off today. You barely looked my way and hardly spoke a word.” I rubbed the back of my neck.

She was right. I had been a jerk today, but only because I was trying to figure out how to ask someone out after it had been so long for me.

That, and the fact that I was struggling between my feelings and my promise to my dad.

“I know, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” I regretted doing that to her. She didn't deserve that.

“Did that have anything to do with the comment you made last night?” She was a lot smarter than I first gave her credit for. “You said I could’ve fooled you…”

“I did say that, and yeah…I felt awkward after I said it. I meant for that comment to stay in my head, but it just slipped out.”

“What did you mean by it?”

“You’re beautiful, darlin’, and it just caught me by surprise when you said you’ve never actually been on a date…not a real one at least, because watching a movie with someone of the opposite sex with your parents is not a real date.” She tilted her head back slightly, laughing.

“Thank you.” The waiter brought over our food. We ate, talking a little in between bites. We mostly talked about the ranch and horses, reminiscing some about when we were kids and spending time together then. We talked about our parents, too, including both the good memories and the bad.

“Well, how was it?”

“Good. Do you come here often?”

“I come here from time to time to just get out, usually if my dad is gone or over at your dad’s ranch.” She nodded, acknowledging my response. “Have you been here before? I know you moved right after high school graduation, and you’ve only been here to Garrity Valley one time since…”

“First time.” We sat there for a few more minutes to finish up our second round of beers.

They started playing music again, and a few couples were on the dance floor.

As the lively chatter and clinking of glasses filled the air, I could make out the music that was playing.

Slow Hands by Conway Twitty, the OG panty dropper, had the kind of music that was hard to pass up. I was a sucker for 90s country.

“You want to dance, darlin’?” I offered my hand to Daisy. She nodded, taking my hand. I could feel the heat between us, and I was uncertain how the night would end, but I knew that I wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to dance with her- right here, right now.

I led her onto the floor, in between the other couples.

As we swayed together, I could feel the warmth of the room, wrapping around us like a comfortable blanket.

Her hands were placed over my shoulders like they belonged there.

My hands found their place at her waist, and I could almost feel the steady beat of her heart matching the rhythm of the song.

Daisy was looking around at the other couples, then her eyes met mine.

I stared into those big, brown eyes- the ones that as a kid didn’t mean anything, but now, I wasn’t sure.

Now, it felt like they were ones I could pick out of any room.

In this crowded bar, it felt like we were the only two people in the universe, lost in our little world.

I didn’t know how Daisy was feeling. I wondered if this was too much for her.

I wondered if this was only a friendship.

.. if she wanted things to go further…all I could do is take a chance.

My dad always told me if you didn’t take a chance, you wouldn’t know what could happen, and this was my chance.

I wrapped my arms a little firmer around her waist and pulled her in tighter.

She jerked ever so slightly with my pull, and that’s when I did it.

My heart was racing, filled with anticipation.

I smiled at her and she returned it. I threw caution to the wind and gave it a chance.

I tilted her chin, my gaze searching hers for permission.

I felt a rush of heat as I leaned in, our lips finally meeting in a soft, tentative kiss.

Time seemed to stand still as we melted into each other.

There was no one else, only us, even amidst the laughter and music at the bar, which had changed since we first started dancing.