Page 37 of Make it Real
That seemed worthy of more than the barest hint of pride in his voice. As much of a showboat as Jed could be sometimes, he didn’t have an inflated ego over the important things. What he did for his family, his farm, his country—those things he wore with a humility that, in turn, made me want to shout about him for all the town to hear.
“Linda and I are running to the market in a bit, too, we just might see you there.”
Seriously? I would not react to that unwelcome piece of news, but it’d been my fault for revealing our plans to her in advance. I might as well have given her a map of our route through the market.
“Come say hi if you do.” Jed turned those gorgeous eyes back to me and held out a hand. “Are you ready?”
For anything.
Ugh, no. I couldn’t let my thoughts go there. Shaking it off, I slipped my hand into his and said a quick goodbye to my nosy granny.
“I didn’t even ask if you had time for this today,” I said quietly as we crossed the yard. “I should have taken your schedule into consideration.”
“Nah, I needed the break. I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”
I swear I could feel his smile all the way down to the tips of my toes.
“Plus, it gave me an excuse for my weekly shower.”
My laugh came out more snort than anything else. His eyes practically turned into sunbeams over that indelicate sound.
“There’s a new goal for our dates. Get you to make that sound again.”
When we reached his truck, he opened the door for me. Right. Time to hit another highlight to add to the snort-laugh—hitching myself up into the seat. I’d worn my cutoff jeans overalls and a tee for browsing the market, but I still didn’t love this maneuver.
“You know, modern trucks come with running boards.” Or so I figured. I’d never paid all that much attention, but that convenient step up apparently hadn’t come standard on his older model.
“Where’s the fun in that?” Jed laced his fingers together, turning his palms up, and bent low. “Do you want a boost?”
I shoved his shoulder but didn’t move him an inch.
“I could lift you in.”
“Like a toddler? No, thanks.” Five-foot-two wasn’t allthatshort. Just in relation to this ginormous truck.
“I was thinking more like a girlfriend.” The light in his eyes turned warm—still teasing, but something else glowed there, too.
I’d become a little baby deer caught in the beams of his heated look, my insides tumbling as I stared at him. A bad idea to get lost there, but I indulged a minute, anyway. Hypnotists should visit Jed for lessons.
Remembering what usually happened to baby deer who got caught up staring at bright, mesmerizing lights, I pulled myself together. Glancing past him to the house, I suspected Granny watched this whole procedure from an air-conditioned perch somewhere inside. During the day, her spying could go undetected.
On one hand, she’d probably get a big thrill out of him lifting me into the truck. On the other hand,I’dget an even bigger thrill out of it, and I needed to keep whatever shred of sensibility I still had.
“You lift a lot of girlfriends into your truck?”Stupid brain. Do not ask.
“Sure. It’s part of the thoughtful boyfriend package.”
He stepped closer, caging me in between him and the seat behind me. He didn’t get into my space, but close enough for me to realize his pale brown eyes held flecks of green. Hazel, then. Why that was important, I couldn’t say, but it seemed like I should write it down somewhere for safekeeping.
“Or you can hoist yourself in while I take notes on your methods. I’m good with either one.”
His saucy grin broke me out of my embarrassing trance.
“Just for that, I spitefully refuse your offer.” Turning from him, I clambered onto the seat, pretending I couldn’t hear him chuckling behind me.
“Spitefully, huh? I see how it’s going to be.” Still laughing, he closed my door and walked around to his side. He climbed in and turned to me, his eyes dancing. “You’re keeping me on my toes, Callie Lou. I like it.”
So did I. So, so much.
