Page 54 of The Wedding Ranch
“Of course you do.”
“Hey, I was wondering.” He paused, leaning over the steering wheel. “Have you ever been down to the old mill on the creek?”
“Didn’t know there was an old mill. Is there a new one too?”
“No, but that neighborhood you live in was named after it.”
“Oh, I thought it was named after the town, Dalton Mill.”
“No. Dalton Mill was the big feed mill on the other side of town. The old water mill on the creek is practically right behind the neighborhood. It’s really nice down there.”
Was he just telling her about it, or asking her out? She paused, but he didn’t say anything else. “I bet it’s a beautiful sight.”
Finally, he said, “Want to see it?”
Although she’d been hoping he’d ask, him actually doing it made her breath hitch. “I would.” She held back a nervous giggle.
“Can I get your phone number?”
“Sure.” She took her phone from her purse. “Give me yours.”
He recited his number and she typed it to text, then pressed send.
His phone pinged, and the way he smiled tickled her when he read the text which simply read, “Just friends.”
“Thanks. Can I help you load those groceries?”
“No. Thank you, I’ve got it under control.”
“I thought you might like to make lighter work of it with some help.”
“Next time, then.”
“Deal. I’ll give you a call Wednesday or Thursday depending on the weather? Does either one work better for you?”
Cody was coming to town and Pam would be there Wednesday night. “I have someone coming into town this week. Wednesday would be best.”
His hand rested lazily on the steering wheel. His eyes narrowed as he spoke. “You weren’t being polite giving me your number, were you?” He exaggerated a pout. “Don’t go hurting my feelings now.”
“No. I’d never. Just setting expectations.” She loved how playful he was. It made it so easy to let down her guard and relax.
“Fair enough. Then I’ll let you get back to it. Nice seeing you.”
He rumbled off and she realized she was still smiling as he turned out of the parking lot onto the main road.
Nice seeing you again too.
She put the last of the groceries in her car, then rolled the cart back up to the store, snagging an orphaned cart along the way. It was her pet peeve that people left them in the lot like that. It didn’t take two minutes to return them to where they belonged.
Lorri looked over her shoulder as she backed out of the parking spot. Her phone pinged, and a wave of disappointment came over her when she realized it wasn’t Ryder. It was Pam. Rather than text back, she called her.
“Hi, Pam. I picked up all the groceries on your list. I’ve never bought this much in one trip. I’m on my way home now.”
“Thanks. I was just texting you to let you know I was thinking to drive down there Wednesday. Cody won’t be in townuntil Thursday, but I’ll come early and work from there if it won’t bother you. It’ll give us some extra time together.”
“That would be great. I’d love it.” The thought of Ryder caused her to pause. “Um, so remember Ryder? From the fair?”
“You mean your hero?”
