Austin (New Horizon Ranch Book 8) by Debra Clopton Page A

It was stuck to the roof of her mouth and showed no signs of getting free. Saturday had come far sooner than she’d been prepared for. She’d had two days to ride her worries out on the back of wild horses and she was still uncertain why she’d agreed to go out with him when she knew in her heart that he didn’t like that she broke horses for a living. There was no getting past that gulf of difference.
    Yes, she was attracted to him. Oh yes, no doubt about that. He looked so handsome tonight in his jeans and dress shirt and Stetson. Yup, she’d be lying to herself if she said otherwise. She’d never felt what she felt when he looked at her. Touched her. Kissed her.
    A shiver raced over her at the thought.
    She’d stood in front of the mirror in her room and critically studied herself. She’d asked Maddie what she should wear to the dance because she’d been uncertain there was anything in her closet that was right. But Maddie had assured her that jeans and a blouse was fine or a sundress if she’d rather. Jolene didn’t own a sundress and had decided that her jeans and dress boots and a plain blue teal blouse was fine. Now, as he slid into the seat beside her, she wished she had something a little more feminine.
    He shot her a smile, a nervous smile she realized. The realization tugged at her heart.
    She reminded herself she was simply going on this date to get this infatuation or whatever this was for him out of her system. After tonight, she could get back to being herself. The cowgirl who broke horses and was comfortable in jeans and blue shirts and who wouldn’t be caught dead in a sundress.
     

Chapter Eleven
     
     
    “It’s been a long time since I went to a dance,” Jolene confessed as they headed to town. “I must confess it’s not my favorite thing.”
    “I’ll confess then that I’d rather be fishing. But,” he added quickly, “I’m excited to be going with you.”
    “I actually would rather be fishing too. It’s been too long since I dipped a hook in a pond.” She laughed.
    There was a moment of silence.
    Austin pulled his foot off the gas. “You wouldn’t want to go fishing instead?”
    “Really?” A bubble of laughter escaped her. “Well, actually I’d love that. I don’t know if you realize this but you have a cheering section that I met last night. ‘The Posse,’” she made quotation marks, “is going to be there and watching. The thought of being watched so close while I’m dancing almost has me nauseous.”
    He pulled the truck to the side of the road. “Are you serious? I know the ladies can be a little, ah…exuberant but in no way do you need to be that uncomfortable. I know where a beautiful lake is—if you’re sure?”
    She smiled at him. “Let’s do it. I…I’m in shock.”
    He chuckled, deep and sexily; the butterflies in her tummy fluttered. And then he turned the truck around and headed the other way.
    He’d gone just a little way and turned down a dirt road. “I’ve been renting a little place since I moved here. I’m planning to look for a place but haven’t had time to look so far and I like the place I’m renting.” He turned in to a drive; a log cabin sat on the edge of a beautiful mid-sized lake.
    “Oh wow. This is it?”
    “Yeah. I can walk out the back door and fish. Hop on my horse and head for the pastures.”
    “It’s perfect,” she said and meant it. “It’s just what I would be looking for if I—” She broke off, feeling suddenly awkward. “When I start looking for a place.”
    “That’s what I felt when I turned in to the drive and drove past the trees and saw it.” He looked suddenly relaxed and more comfortable. “Come on, let’s go grab some gear and a cold drink.”
    She followed him to the back deck that overlooked the lake. “How big is the lake?”
    “About twenty-five acres. Not really that big, but big enough for a guy and a girl to have a good time. Don’t you think?” He winked and she laughed