Page 34 of The Wedding Ranch
“I’m a little worried about you driving. I could follow you to be sure you make it home okay.”
“I’ll tell you what. If I feel like I can’t drive, I promise I will stop. Believe me, the last thing I want to do is drive recklessly, or have people think I’m driving drunk. You don’t want to get me started about drunk drivers.”
“You’re not the only one with strong opinions on that. But tonight, I just want to know that you’re safe, and that I didn’t give you a concussion trying to rescue you. Can I at least carry the birdhouses to your car for you?”
“No. You’ve done enough, babysitting me all afternoon. I can handle it. Thank you.” She turned to leave, then lifted her hand in a wave. “Bye,” she called out over her shoulder as she walked away.
“See you around town.” He didn’t want to sound interested. He wasn’t. “It’s a small town. I’m sure we will. Cross paths, I mean.” He wasn’t so sure that was any more convincing.
Shut up.
He watched her walk into the building, resisting the temptation to help her with the birdhouses to her car after she’d already said no.
Ryder turned and walked over to the arena where the horse show was in full swing, but then jogged out to his truck to follow her so he could be sure she wasn’t on the side of the road somewhere.
Chapter Ten
Lorri was thankful she didn’t experience any blurred vision on her way home. The EMTs were probably being overcautious, but they’d kind of scared her.
Aside from the fall and the knot on her head, the evening had been a lot of fun. She was still replaying the day’s events when she turned into the neighborhood.
She wrangled the two birdhouses out of her car and carried them to the house, setting them on the porch to unlock the front door.
The county fair had far surpassed her expectations. With the lingering smell of cotton candy and barbecue still on her, she turned the key in the lock, glad she hadn’t missed out.
“Mister? Where’s my boy?” He was like a toddler. When it was quiet, she worried what he was up to.
His heavy paws plodded against the hardwood floors with all the heft of a man’s weight.
Just as she laid her things on the table in the foyer, Mister spotted her and raced over.
“There you are.” She patted him on the head and received the expected warm welcome. “I didn’t mean to be gone so long. You wouldn’t believe the day I had. Let’s check the place out together. You didn’t destroy anything while I was away, did you?”
He looked up with wide-eyed innocence. She’d been fooled by those puppy eyes before.
She slapped her hip for him to follow along. The living room looked undisturbed. Every throw pillow was how she’d left them.
“Good boy.” She pressed her hands to the sides of his face and bent to kiss him on the forehead. “You are getting to be such a big boy.”
She took a quick look through the rest of the house and to her delight he hadn’t gotten into any trouble. Not even a stray paper towel, which he loved to snag from the kitchen counter and shred when she wasn’t looking.
“I guess my puppy is finally growing up.” She placed her hand under his chin. “I’m so proud of you. I bet you’re hungry for some dinner.”
Mister barked.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Let’s go out first. It’s been a long afternoon for you.”
She let him outside while she put her things away. She hadn’t asked Ryder what his last name was, and that had been intentional. She wasn’t looking for anyone in her life. Things were much easier and predictable without a man in the picture, and she was beginning to really treasure this new lifestyle.
But as much as she commended herself on being strong andindependent and keeping the handsome man at arm’s distance, she couldn’t help but think about how much fun they’d had tonight.
When she let Mister in, he ran straight to his food dish and scarfed down his food.
She stood there watching him but thinking of Ryder. It was an interesting name. It fit him though. Unique. Strong. Serious, but fun in a way she’d never experienced before. He seemed fine with his plans for the day changing after he rescued her, just shifting gears on a whim. Something she never did. Planning was in her DNA. She excelled at it, and having plans also meant that there were routines in place.Or traditions, like Ryder had said.
Mister trotted out of the kitchen and stood by the back door again.
“Creatures of habit. Not the worst thing in the world to be.” She got up and let him out. “At least we know what to expect.”
