Page 53 of Her Cowboy Blind Date

“A kind of ball game. One of Dad’s favorites. I think you’d like it.”

“Okay then.” He’d look up cricket online later. “Water bottles are in the fridge. Bathroom is off the hall.”

“Thanks. I’m assuming we’re not driving to a mall in Wichita.”

He shook his head. “Opposite direction with limited rest stops.”

“Sounds fun.” She left the shed.

He’d tidied his home earlier this morning, ensuring it was clean. He wasn’t cleaning his parents’ home. That was Dad’s responsibility, and it would give Dad something constructive to do that would occupy his time and help Mom.

Sam ducked indoors and found his cooler bag for the drinks. He locked up the house, stowed their supplies in the back of the Cadillac behind the front seat, and slid into the driver’s side bench seat.

Becky opened the passenger door and placed her purse between them. “A fifties model.”

“You’re close. Sixties.”

He reversed his car out of the shed, closed the garage door, and returned to the car. He maneuvered the Cadillac onto his street and gave her the rundown on the car specs as he took the road heading south out of town.

Sam was impressed Becky knew what he was talking about and shared his interest in cars. She never failed to surprise him. They had more in common than he’d guessed when they’d first met on the blind date.

“Are we keeping the top on the car?” she asked.

He nodded. “It’s too windy and dusty. Plus sunburn.”

“Good point. Can I guess where we’re going?”

“Sure.” This could be fun.

“We’re on the highway traveling south, and I can’t see any hills. Oklahoma.”

“Well done. Have you visited?”

“No, and I didn’t know there were hills in Oklahoma. I thought it was flat, like Kansas.”

“These are special type of hills. If you’re thinking rolling green hills like England, you’re on the wrong track.”

“Oh.” She clasped her hands together. “This is exciting, and the car is purring.”

“The way I like it.” He’d filled the gas tank and given the Cadillac a full service. The engine additives made a difference and helped with performance.

“Can I cheat and open the maps app on my phone?” she asked.

“No. A map won’t help.”

“How come?”

“The place we’re going has two names. Neither are an accurate description, according to my Colorado standards.”

“The Rockies are magnificent.”

“The best.” The ranch was a long drive from Denver and the Rockies. He’d love to have time to explore the mountains and visit the small towns. He’d caught Becky’s travel bug.

“I’ll be patient and stare at the cornfields.”

He chuckled and changed gears using the stick shift. They crossed the state line into Oklahoma. The highway was quiet for a Sunday. Folks would be having lunch at this time.

He rolled his shoulders, appreciating the wide-open spaces. “We can stop for lunch whenever you’re hungry.”

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