Page 55 of Her Cowboy Blind Date

“They can be. They’re noisy and I know what they sound like.”

“Have you seen one?”

He nodded. “I’m a farm mechanic, and snakes like warm machinery.”

She shivered. “You know first aid, right?”

“Antivenom is what’s needed. But yes, I know what to do. I’ll keep you safe.”

“Ah, my hero.” She leaned into his arm, and he tucked his arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

She lifted her phone. “Smile.” Selfies were fun. Sam wore his cowboy hat with sunglasses. A good look.

“Did it work?”

She tucked her sunglasses into her shirt pocket, checked the screen, and nodded. “We look good together.”

“We are good together.” He placed his hand on her cheek.

Another moment. Moment number six, if she hadn’t lost count. He wanted to kiss her. She wanted to melt into his arms. Right person. Right place. Romantic location. No Mrs. Alleghany watching or interrupting. Was it the right time?

She spun away, her mind reeling.

“Sam, can you look out for snakes while I take photos?”

He smiled. “Sure.”

He walked beside her, maintaining a foot of space between them. She stared out at the flat horizon, her awareness of Sam catapulting in giant leaps to the moon. The tingles had intensified. The sparks couldn’t be ignored. She couldn’t work side by side with Sam at the play without others noticing their attraction.

Earlier in the week she’d met up with Logan Miles, chatting with him on a bench by the pond. Logan was like a protective big brother, reminding her of Zach. Logan had mentioned the electric atmosphere backstage when she was near Sam. There was nothing fake about her friends-to-more relationship with Sam.

She circled back on the path and reached the trail leading back to the Cadillac.

She turned to Sam. “I’m done.”

“Aren’t you uploading the photos somewhere?”

She shook her head. “I don’t use social media anymore.”

“I’ve never used it. Couldn’t see the point.”

“You’re smart.” She stepped closer and looked up, cupping his cheek in her hand. “I’ve changed my mind.”

He pulled off his sunglasses, copying her by tucking his sunglasses into his shirt pocket. “What’s changed?”

She stood on tiptoe and removed her cap, looping the back band around her wrist. “I want to kiss you. That is, if you want to kiss–”

Her words were lost. Sam’s mouth was on hers, his lips seeking a deeper connection. She grasped his shoulder, appreciating his taut muscles. He wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her closer, muddling her mind with the tingling sensations that had teased her for weeks.

His cowboy hat blocked the sun, creating a cozy cocoon where she was lost in a maze of unfamiliar feelings. Stronger feelings than she’d known existed. It felt right to be snuggled in his arms and protected from the world. Could they have a future together?

* * *

A few weeks later, Becky brewed a pot of green tea and retreated to her dorm room. It was Monday afternoon, and her last week at college before Easter and spring break. Her assignments and essays due this week were completed and submitted.

On Saturday, she’d be Sam’s plus-one at Pete and Emma’s wedding. A less daunting prospect now she was in a relationship with Sam. She’d started packing for her spring break vacation at the ranch and looked forward to seeing Sam’s family, especially his mom.

It was early Tuesday morning in Australia, and Mum was video calling shortly. Becky poured tea and curled up in her cozy recliner. It was hard to believe there was only one more passion play performance — the Good Friday finale.

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