Page 78 of A Rancher's Bride
“And on that note, if you’re done training for the day, I have a chore list as long as my arm to get back to.” Alex tipped his hat at Kelli before marching rapidly toward the barn.
Kelli led Pepper to the railing, the horse slipping her head over the top to nuzzle Luke, knocking his hat off with her enthusiastic greeting.
Kelli swooped down to grab it before climbing the fence, reaching up to press the hat onto his head. She perched on the top rail like a little kid, delight in her eyes. “Hey.”
He leaned forward, one hand on either side of her body as he brought their lips inches part. “Hey. Interesting training technique, but it looks as if it might work.”
“Mightwork? Did you see my ass on the ground like yours was the last time you tried to ride her? I think not.” Her expression twisted slightly before she admitted, “Diane gave me a few ideas, and they’re really helping.”
Luke slid a hand up her back as he adjusted position to ease in closer. “She’s a damn good friend. Things will be okay.”
He knew Kelli was worried about having lied to Diane and Jack, and he’d done his best to reassure her without making any comments that would freak her out.
Their fake-relationship had already become a reality. He figured they were one step closer to it being evenmore. It was far too soon, though, to push Kelli.
But in his head? Plans and plots were evolving at such high speedshewas getting a little frightened. Truth was, them being together made sense. That it had taken him this long to figure it out was a mistake he wasn’t about to repeat.
He’d learned from his earlier misstep and wasn’t going to assume anything, though. Nope. She needed to be able to buy into this deal one hundred percent, and some other component was still missing. Something itched at the back of his brain that would help make the next stage happen.
Luke just needed to figure out what.
* * *
Kelli arrivedat Tansy and Rose’s place, was ushered in with hugs like usual, and peppered with a set of totally innocuous questions. Her friends showed amazing restraint, asking for details about the gala hotel, what the food had been like, and all the fancy outfits she’d seen the night of the ball.
But there was a limit to their patience.
Now that she was wrapped in a soft throw blanket, a cup of hot chocolate in her hands, two faces peered back at her, wild curiosity on both of them.
“I like that you close the shop on Tuesdays,” Kelli said. “This staying up late on Monday nights makes me feel naughty, like I’m breaking curfew.”
Tansy and Rose glanced at each other.
“She changed the topic,” Rose said. “That was not remotely about the gala, or Luke, oranythinginteresting.”
“Someone is trying to avoid sharing any juicy details,” Tansy replied blandly.
“I don’t know why she’s attempting to prevaricate. It’s not as if news didn’t spread like wildfire the minute someone spotted her and Luke smooching in the barn.” Rose faced Kelli. “Alex told me Luke is being all he-man possessive and stuff, too. Grrr, and snarl, and that kind of thing, when the guys are around.”
“Oh, now that’s just bull.” Kelli jerked upright. “Luke is not acting possessive. And we have not beensmooching. Good grief, what are you guys, twelve?”
“Pretend we are, and you can give us lessons. What exactly happened while you were gone? Because—”
The doorbell rang. Rose shot to her feet.
“Drat. You were late, and my date is right on time.” She grabbed her coat and purse from where they lay over the arm of the couch. “I will hear all the good bits at some point, yes?”
“Maybe,” Kelli retorted. “If I hear the play by play of what you and Alex get up to.”
Rose had been in the middle of swinging the door open, and he had to have overheard, because the dark-haired man offered the room a wide grin.
“Dancing. That’s all I’m going to say.” Alex focused on Rose, whistling in appreciation as he hurried to help her with her coat. “You look pretty.”
“Thanks.” Rose put a hand on his chest, pushing him back into the hallway. “We need to leave now, before Snoopy Thing One and Snoopy Thing Two get their hooks into you.”
“Bye, ladies,” Alex offered with a chuckle.
“Bye, Alex. Bye, Rose. Don’t do anything I wouldn— Never mind,” Tansy said dryly. “I forgot who I was talking to.”
