Page 16 of Headstrong Cowboy
“We did.We were each other’s best friends.And while having a solid friendship base is a good foundation for a marriage, you still need the heart fluttering, sweaty palm kind of love as well.”And thinking about how she reacted to Ryder, Chrissy was beginning to think she and Beau had never had it.
Chapter Eight
The foyer ofthe Graff was busy when Ryder came down to meet Chrissy.He was looking forward to their evening together.He’d enjoyed spending the afternoon with her.She’d mainly shown him the greenhouses and how they produced flowers during the cold months.When she’d shown him the rows of roses, he’d looked around, trying to see if there was a hint of anything that was familiar and matched the background of the one photo he had—there hadn’t been, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t.This part of the land may not have been where his mother had been standing.There were still lots of neighboring properties where the picture could’ve been taken.He’d just been hoping the flower farm was the place.Although Chrissy hadn’t shown him the whole of the farm, so there may still be a chance that the tree his mother posed under was on the Bloom land.
“Ryder Chamberlain, is that you?”
Everything in Ryder froze as he recognized the voice of one of the guys he’d competed with.“Scott, good to see you.How are you?”
He shook the other man’s hand, determined not to show that he wished he were anywhere other than talking to him.
“Great.I heard about your injury and retirement.That sucks, man.The circuit won’t be the same without you.”
Ryder nodded, unable to say anything else.Perhaps he should’ve left town after he realized the rodeo was coming up soon, so that he wouldn’t run into people he didn’t want to see.He could’ve come back after it was over and commenced with his plan.But he hadn’t, and here he was, so he had to suck it up.“Listen, it was good to see you, but I’m meeting someone and I’m running late.”
“No problem.See you at rodeo.”
“Not if I can help it,” he muttered under his breath.He was planning on staying as far away as possible from the fairgrounds and the events leading up to it.
What about Chrissy?Don’t you want to dance with her at the barbecue leading up to the rodeo?Watch her compete?Help her celebrate her win?
He ignored those questions, especially the one about her winning.It would be a bittersweet moment for him.Tonight might end up being a disaster, and he wouldn’t want to see her again.Ryder mentally scoffed at that.He anticipated that their date was going to be one of the best ones he’d had, but he would deal with her competing later because the woman consuming his thoughts stood in front of him in a pretty pink dress with matching colored cowboy boots.A white denim jacket was folded over her arm.
Chrissy took his breath away, and he was glad that he hadn’t suggested she come up to his room to meet him, because he might’ve done something he hadn’t done in a very long time—dragged her inside and got intimately acquainted with her body.
“Hey,” she said softly, clearly nervous.
“Hey yourself.”He closed the distance between them and, without thinking, brushed his lips across her cheek.“You look beautiful.”He never would’ve picked her as someone who wore pink, especially pink cowboy boots, but the color suited her perfectly.
“Thank you.You look handsome as well.”
Ryder glanced down at his jeans, wishing now he’d taken the time to wear something other than denim.At least his white button-down shirt looked smart.“Thanks.”He adjusted his black hat and crooked his elbow.“Shall we?”
Chrissy slipped her arm through his.A flowery scent drifted up to his nose, and he had to stop himself from burying his face in her neck to see if it was her perfume, shampoo, or body lotion that smelled so heavenly.
He could’ve easily gotten the valet to get his car so they could drive to the diner, but, as the distance was short, it seemed a waste of time and energy.Not to mention, he’d already suggested that they walk.Although perhaps Chrissy had changed her mind and her car was waiting for them.After all, she would’ve driven herself to town for their date.
He scanned the area as they exited the hotel, but didn’t see a car waiting.“Did you park somewhere?”he asked.
“My sister Tilly lives in town.I drove to her place and left my car there, then walked here.It wasn’t far.”
“You’re happy walking to the diner?If not, I can drive us.”
Chrissy tightened her arm around his.“It’s a beautiful night for a walk.Perhaps afterward, we can for a walk along the river.Or something.”
The fact she was thinking of ways to prolong their date pleased Ryder.“Sounds like a plan.”
The town was buzzing with people, and many of them smiled and said hello to Chrissy while giving him a curious look as they walked past.Chrissy returned their greetings and if she noticed their glances in his direction, she didn’t say anything, nor did she stop to introduce him.
Before he was ready for their stroll to be over, they arrived at the diner, and Ryder held the door open for her.The place was busy, but they were quickly shown to a booth with menus placed in front of them.
“What’s good here?”he asked once they were alone as he picked up the laminated sheet listing the meals available.
“Everything,” Chrissy responded with a smile.
“That’s helpful.”
“Please...you knew exactly where this place is, so you’ve been here before,” she admonished him with a teasing glint in her eyes.
