Page 70 of Austin
Her logical, analytical side always beat down her enjoy-the-feeling side—or it had until Austin came into the picture and gave her that extra incentive to ignore her tight-ass side.
He gave a soft laugh and stroked her hair again, gently twining the strands through his fingers. “Yeah. I can do that. It’s kind of what I do.”
“Lucky you.” She meant that. She was starting to get a feel for what life was like when one didn’t second and third-guess every move. She liked the feeling, but was intimidated by it. It was hard to let go on her own, with no one there, like Austin or her twin, to coach her or lead by example. She’d done well making her impulsive side trip to Nampa, but a part of her was still a little rattled that she’d done that…even though it had turned out well.
Very well.
“We can ride as far as Marietta together. I’m pretty sure I can talk Kelly into driving your car if his arm isn’t bothering him too much. You can tell me about your interview.”
Yes. The interview. She felt as if she was balancing between two worlds—one where she felt safe and knew all the rules, and the other full of unknowns, yet calling to her with a siren’s song.
Austin turned his head to meet her gaze, his expression more serious than she expected. “You want to spend some time with me when we get to Marietta? I have a few days to kill before traveling on.”
Instead of answering out loud, she slid her palms along the rough planes of his cheeks and pulled his mouth down to hers, then she proceeded to show him, in great detail, why that was the best of ideas.
*
Austin and Kristenmet Kelly for breakfast shortly after Austin and Kristen had shared a rather dynamic shower. They ate at the hotel restaurant, with Austin grabbing the tab for everyone. Kelly’s wife hadn’t shown, and Austin felt for the guy.
He was also surprised at how Kelly opened up with Kristen, asking her about her plans for the future, and how she felt watching Austin ride bulls.
“Nervous,” Kristen said, adding that she really didn’t have enough experience to give a definitive answer.
She didn’t. She’d watched Austin ride in person three times. Only one of those times had resulted in a wreck, and it had been so minor that it barely qualified.
Once they hit the road, Austin kept clear of the topic of bull riding, focusing instead on Kristen’s remaining time at home and her plans for the future. She was confident she was going to land the job she’d applied for, thanks to some guy she’d worked for in the past.
“I’ll do things differently this time,” she said. “I wasn’t a good team player in the past. I walled myself off too much.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
She gave him a mock snooty look. “Someonehelped me tackle that issue, you know. I’m not a full-blown extrovert, but I’m better.” The snooty look disappeared, replaced by a smile that lit her eyes, and an odd sensation spread through his chest. She was so damned beautiful.
After dropping Kristen off at her house sooner than he wanted to, Kelly, who’d driven Whitney’s little Toyota to Marietta, made noises about renting a car and driving to Cheyenne early.
“Only one problem,” Austin said. “No car rental place in Marietta.” Kelly’s face contorted with frustration, and Austin kind of knew how he felt. “But you can take my truck.”
Kelly frowned at him. “How’ll you get down there?”
“Borrow a rig from my brother.”
“If you’re sure.”
Austin was sure. If Kelly wanted to head south to see his wife, who was in Fort Collins with her parents, he was going to do everything he could to help the guy.
Kelly dropped Austin at the ranch, which appeared to be deserted. Austin kicked around the kitchen, making himself a sandwich and stealing a beer. Finally he heard boots on the steps, and went to the door, pulling it open for his brother.
“Where is everyone?” he asked.
“Where the hell did you come from?” Ty stepped into the kitchen, taking off his hat and hanging it on the hooks next to the door. He ruffled the back of his hair where the hat had creased it.
“Got dropped off. I loaned my truck to my travel partner.”
“And now you want mine?”
“Pretty much.”
Ty scowled at him then pushed his chair back and went to the fridge. “Les had a doctor’s appointment and Shelby had to drive him because his new medication makes him dizzy as hell.” He looked at the empty plate in the sink. “Did you make me a sandwich?”
