.
Because she didn’t like crowded places with too many conversations, explanations for people who talked in quiet tones, and curious glances from those who saw the hearing aids.
She loved bull riding, where people respected her and curiosity didn’t matter, because she had proven herself. She loved her non-hearing friends in Tulsa, because with them she could be herself.
He didn’t appear to be giving up. He had stepped closer and wore a persuasive half grin. She remembered him smiling like that when she’d been thirteen and he’d only been a year or so older. She had dreamed of that smile for a long, long time, wondering what it would be like to fall in love with a cowboy.
She shook off the old memories and listened to what he was saying now. Now, sixteen years and several rejections later, her heart had been broken so many times it was held together with duct tape.
“Everyone likes chili. Or at least they like it when they know there will be dozens of desserts, and the money is going to help the church youth group.”
Willow liked arguing less than she liked chili. Worse than that, she disliked the feeling that someone was trying to make plans for her. “I’m not going, Clint. I’ll give you a check for the youth group.”
“Willow, I wasn’t trying…”
She sighed, because she knew that he wasn’t trying, that he hadn’t intended to take over. “I know you weren’t. Have a good time tonight. Make sure you guys close up and turn off the lights when you’re done in here.”
Clint reached for her arm, and she knew he wanted to say more. He didn’t. Instead he smiled and let his hand drop to his side, like he understood.
As she walked across the drive to the house she saw the boys through the window. They were so young, and so brave. Their mother was brave.
The warm smell of grilled cheese and fresh coffee greeted her as she walked through the door of the house. She kicked off her boots and headed for the kitchen, stockinged feet on hardwood.
The boys looked up from cups of tomato soup, red liquid dripping from their chins. She smiled, but she wanted to hug them tight. The little one, David, not Davie, gave her a tremulous smile that threaded its way into her heart. The bigger of the two, Timmy, just frowned.
“I heard that the two of you had cookies. Were they good?” Willow kneeled next to the table, putting herself at eye level with the two children.
They nodded and both took another bite of their sandwiches, dripping cheese as they pulled the bread away. Grilled cheese and tomato soup, Aunt Janie’s cure for everything, including broken hearts.
“Want something…” Janie’s words faded out as she moved away.
Willow turned, shooting her aunt a questioning gaze. The words had blended with the radio and the dishwasher’s low rumble.
“I’m sorry, Willow. Do you want to eat, or are you going with us?”
“I’ll eat with the boys.” Willow smiled at the two and stood up, her legs protesting her squatting next to the table.
“The boys are going with us.” Janie smiled. “But they don’t like chili.”
“I don’t blame them.”
Janie frowned. “It isn’t chili you’re avoiding, it’s people.”
“And lectures.”
Janie wiped wet hands on a kitchen towel, her frown growing. “Willow, are you okay?”
“Of course I am.”
The house vibrated with footsteps, heavy steps. Willow turned as Clint walked into the room, his wide smile directed at the boys.
Janie handed her a bowl, and Willow turned toward the table. Clint had taken a seat with the boys. He had a glass of iced tea and a cookie.
“You have a cow that’s about to have a calf,” he said after taking a drink of his tea.
“I know. I’ve been checking on her every few hours.”
“Is this her first calf?”
“Second.”
“She’s young.”
Willow exhaled and pretended she didn’t have an answer for that. He set his glass down and she looked up, knowing he wasn’t going to let it go.
“Yes, she’s young. The first time she got into the wrong pen.” She wouldn’t go further, not with two little boys at the table.
“Maybe I should stay home, in case she gets down on you. You might have to pull the calf.”
Like she didn’t know that. She gave him a pointed look and lifted a spoon of soup to her mouth. After taking a bite she set the spoon down.
“I can handle it, Clint. I know how to pull a calf. I know how to take care of my cows.”
“I was just offering.”
“If I can’t handle it, I have a good vet.” She took in a breath and smiled. “You need to take the boys to the carnival at church. I can handle this.”
He raised his hand and smiled. “Got it.”
Timmy laughed and David looked worried.
“Guys, don’t ever argue with a woman who has her mind made up.” Clint picked up a napkin and wiped grilled cheese crumbs off David’s chin.
Willow smiled, because how could she not? And when she looked up, he winked. Just like that, he undid everything.
Chapter Four
Clint threw another plastic ring around another soda bottle and took the two-liter cola that the girl handed him. The low rumble of a diesel engine caught his attention. He turned and watched as Willow pulled into the parking lot of the church. She backed the red extended cab into a space and cut the engine.
And he smiled. Unexpected. She was obviously a woman who always did the unexpected. He liked that about her. And he liked the fact that she was here, and she had made it pretty clear that this was the last place she wanted to be.
But she was getting out of her truck, and she was smiling. At him. That smile made him want to win big stuffed bears for her and carry cotton candy. It made him want to…
Rescue a woman who didn’t want or need to be rescued.
“Uncle Clint, isn’t that Miss Willow?” Timmy tugged on the sling and Clint grimaced.
“Yeah, buddy, that’s her. You boys stay with Janie, and I’ll bring her over here.”
Because he wanted just a few minutes alone with her. A smile shouldn’t do that to a guy. It shouldn’t make him want to take her off by the creek, alone, for a walk in the dim glow of early evening. A smile shouldn’t do that to a man, but it did.
That smile made him want to forget that she was a princess and he had nothing to offer but a crumbled old farm and a lot of dreams.
She stopped at the edge of the parking lot and waited for him. She was tall and gorgeous, in jeans and a peasant top, her hair in a ponytail.
“Imagine seeing you here.” He grinned and hoped that she would smile again. She did.
“I decided that if the boys could do this, so could I.” She glanced past him to the boys. “They’re really brave.”
“They are.” He started to offer his hand and reconsidered. “Stick with me, it won’t be that bad.”
Had he just said that? From the amused look on her face, he knew he had. He pushed his hat down on his head a little and laughed.
“Stick with you, huh?”
“Something like that. I’ll even hold your hand.”