Cowboy All Night (Thunder Mountain Brotherhood, Book 5) by Vicki Lewis Thompson Page B

will.”
    She gazed up at him. “You really do take life as it comes, don’t you?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” He wondered if she had the power to mess with his usual approach. He combed her hair back from her face. “And now, much as I hate to do it, it’s time to say good-night.”
    She sighed. “Okay.”
    After scooping up his hat, he draped his arm lightly over her shoulders and walked her to her van.
    As he opened the door for her, she turned to him. “I don’t want to leave.”
    He searched her expression and found desire mixed with confusion. For one brief moment he imagined tipping the scales in his favor and asking her to stay. She might do it, and then she’d miss her chance to convince Josh he needed to visit Linus.
    So he didn’t say anything.
    “But I have to.”
    “See, you won’t forget about your brother. It’s not in your nature.”
    “I can’t forget about him. Nobody understands him as well as I do, not even Mom and Dad.”
    “Then go.”
    She accepted his outstretched hand and stepped into the van, then gave him a sad smile. “In spite of needing to talk with Josh, I was sort of hoping you’d beg me to stay.”
    “Don’t think I didn’t consider it.”
    “But that’s not you.”
    “Not normally, no.” The fact that he’d even thought about it was significant, though. “You’ve done all this to help Josh. I don’t want to sabotage your efforts.”
    She studied him for several seconds. “I’ll figure something out for us.”
    The determination in her voice made him smile. It also gave him hope. He had a feeling she followed through on whatever she’d set her mind to.
    “Good night, Brant.”
    “Good night, Aria.” He closed her door, which created something of a separation between them although her window was open. He could have reached in to touch her. Instead he patted the van. “Take her home safely, Matilda.”
    “You remembered her name.”
    “Yeah, well, I was the goofy kid who named his rubber snake Elmer.”
    “What’s your truck’s name?”
    “Bessie, after my grandmother. I never knew her, but I’ll bet she was reliable like my truck.”
    “That’s sweet.”
    “I’m a sweet guy.”
    “I have no doubt.” She put the van in gear.
    He stepped back and watched until she reached the curve that would take her out of sight. He didn’t know if she was looking in her rearview mirror or not, but he lifted his hand to wave goodbye. She blinked her lights.
    He continued to think about her as he walked through the cool night toward Cade’s cabin. He hadn’t counted on meeting a beautiful woman today, let alone sharing a hot kiss with her. But he understood her feelings of guilt whenever she started thinking of herself instead of Josh. He didn’t want to add to her burden so he’d back off if necessary.
    But judging from her words, she wouldn’t let him back off. Oh, yeah, he could imagine how much fun they could have in a bed, but he wouldn’t push her into something that would cause her stress. He’d go with the flow, as he always did.
    * * *
    H E WAS WORKING in the barn early the next morning when he heard her drive up. After telling himself to go with the flow last night, he discovered that his breathing was suddenly affected by the prospect of seeing her again. He pulled in air and let it out slowly.
    That he was here waiting for her was another troubling sign that he wasn’t as cool as he pretended. Rosie had tried to talk him into having a big breakfast up at the house with Herb, Lexi and Cade, but instead he’d grabbed coffee and toast so he could be down here when Aria arrived.
    He’d told himself that he needed more interaction with the mare and foal before Aria showed up. That was true to a point, but he’d seen the look that had passed between Rosie and Lexi. Cade had grinned at him in a knowing way, too.
    No wonder they weren’t buying his story. Food was important to him, and passing up one of Rosie’s excellent ranch breakfasts so he could