LITMIR.BIZ

      Chapter Five

      Sitting across from her, Austin had to admit that spending the evening with Dinah Hart had been one of the most pleasant experiences he’d had in months. He’d asked her over partly to get a rise out of her—sure she’d come to his store for more reasons than to ask him about saddles.

      Her saying yes had been a nice surprise, their camaraderie even more so. Dinah had set the table while he’d grilled the chicken. Then she’d opened her bag of lettuce while he microwaved potatoes.

      And though she looked at him curiously when he pulled out a pitcher of iced tea, she poured them two glasses. She’d even looked relieved, saying she couldn’t drink anyway since Duke was away for the weekend and she was essentially running a one-woman show in the sheriff’s office.

      They’d talked about Leah and Colt, and Flynn and Ace. He’d told her about Cheyenne, and how she was living with their dad and slowly pulling out of her grief from losing her husband way too young. She grinned with him when he spoke about her twin girls, Sadie and Sammie.

      Next they talked about Duke and Beau, and Beau’s chances in the latest bull-riding competitions.

      From there, it was only natural to talk about Tuf Hart, Dinah’s younger brother. Austin’s heart had gone out to her when she’d talked about how Tuf still hadn’t shown up after getting out of the marines.

      Family talk had eased into work, and she’d seemed genuinely interested in his shop. That worked out real nice, because he was genuinely interested in pretty much everything about her.

      All too soon, it was almost midnight and she was getting to her feet. “Thanks, Austin. I…I really enjoyed myself.”

      “You’re welcome. I liked having you here.” For a moment, he let himself stare at her lips, remembering with sudden clarity what kissing her had been like.

      Those lips parted, just as if she had read his mind.

      Right there and then, he knew if he leaned forward she wouldn’t be offended if he kissed her.

      And he wanted to.

      But it wasn’t the right time. He was an emotionally toxic mess. Especially since he hadn’t had the nerve to go to an AA meeting yet. Lord, he was needier than a newborn foal.

      “So…good night, Dinah.”

      She blinked. “Oh. Sure. Good night.” She looked a little hurt, as though he’d rejected her. Obviously she’d thought he was going to shorten that space between them and finally renew what had been floating between them for months.

      He was still reluctant to see her go. “Any chance you going to church tomorrow?”

      “I don’t know. I don’t go all that often. Why?”

      “I’ll be there. Thought if you were going to be there, too, maybe we could have lunch together after.”

      “You want to share another meal?”

      She’d spouted the question as if he’d just asked to get in her pants. He bit the inside of his lip so he wouldn’t smile. “Don’t worry, I’m not trying to ruin your stash of Lean Cuisine dinners. I was thinking maybe we could get lunch at the Number 1 after. My treat.”

      After a fresh burst of interest, she looked more than a little hesitant. One of her hands flew to her hair, curling one of the wayward locks around her ear. “Maybe. I’ll see what’s going on in the office tomorrow.”

      “Fair enough. If I see you in church, I’ll see you. Night, Dinah.”

      He stood at the door and watched her walk to her car, unlock it and finally drive away. He told himself he was just being a gentleman. After all, the sheriff probably didn’t need a man looking after her.

      He couldn’t help but think maybe Dinah needed a man looking out for her. It was a real shame he wasn’t the best candidate for the job.

      * * *

      DINAH HADN’T INTENDED to go to church. But when she called her mom, she sounded beyond pleased at the thought of Dinah sitting in the pew beside her. “We’ve had so many changes going on with the family lately, Dinah. It’s good to take some time to give thanks, don’t you think?”

      There had only been one right answer. “Yes, ma’am.”

      So that was how she ended up sitting in church on Sunday, and in a dress, no less. She fingered the cotton fabric of her loose-fitting chambray blue dress. She’d paired it with boots and a concho belt. As dresses went, it was fairly casual. But it was a whole different look from her usual jeans and tan sheriff’s shirt.

      “You look so pretty, Dinah. So feminine! You should wear dresses more often, honey.”

      Her mother’s voice had carried. A few seats over, Flynn chuckled. Ace winked. And then there was Austin, looking way too fine in pressed jeans and a white shirt so starched and bright it looked almost blinding.

      But it didn’t match the almost dazzling smile that deepened when he caught her eye.

      Oh! Resolutely, she turned back around and concentrated on listening to the pastor. And not fussing with the fabric of her dress.

      But though the pastor’s message was a good one, Dinah felt her mind drift. She started thinking about work and filing and to-do lists. And about missing tack and one black stallion that was AWOL.

      She began checking her watch every couple of minutes.

      When the service ended and they were all filing out, her mother turned to her with a smile. “You coming back to the ranch, honey?”

      “No, I should probably stay in town. Duke and Angie are away, you know.”

      “I know, but Beau will be there. As will Ace and Flynn. Colt and Leah are coming over, too. He’s got news of Evan.”

      Dinah knew her brother was doing everything he could to forge a bond with his twelve-year-old son. Until very recently, Colt had thought Evan’s mom had hoped he would keep his distance. But Colt marrying Leah had changed all that. Now he and the boy tried to spend time together every few weeks.

      “I’ve got to work, Mom. The town elected me to be around.”

      “But it’s Sunday.”

      “That doesn’t matter.” She softened her words with a smile. “I’m sorry. I’ll try to come over later this week.”

      “All right.”

      Moments after waving off her mother, she practically ran into Austin. He was standing against the wall, with his arms crossed over his chest. Watching her.

      Waiting for her.

      Well, she certainly couldn’t take him up on lunch at the Number 1 when she’d refused her mother. “Hey,” she said.

      “Dinah.” His grin widened. “You look as pretty as a picture today.”

      This darn dress! “Thank you.”

      “Ready to go to lunch?”

      “I’m sorry, I can’t have lunch with you.”

      “Because?”

      “Because I need to work. And I already refused my mother’s invitation.” And starting up something with Austin was such a very bad idea. She waited pensively, half-afraid he was going to try to talk her out of her decision.

      But instead, he pushed away from the wall. “No problem. But don’t forget to eat, okay?”

      “I am sorry.”

      “It’s no biggie. I’ll be seeing you, D.”

      Now she was the one standing

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