Travis could feel a little more heat in his face as his smile widened. “Don’t thank me…you’re half the date, so…fifty percent of the credit belongs to you.”
His watch beeped on the hour, making him sigh, though he didn’t look at it. “I guess maybe we better head, back, huh? I kinda get the idea there’s more than one person who might come looking for you.” Finally standing up, he brushed off his jeans, then reached a hand down to help Ashlee up. As she stood, he held her hand for just a moment or two longer before letting her go, and helping pick up their leftover picnic items.
Even though they did need to get back, Travis didn’t walk too fast, enjoying the slow trek back to the ranch yard.
Sitting outside the barn, leaned back against the wall, Dylan was halfway through his apple, when he spotted the two figures walking back up the lane. Though he hadn’t joined the others in the dining room, he’d slipped in for a couple apples for lunch, and had noticed Ashlee’s absence. She never missed a meal, and he’d almost wondered if everything was okay, until he’d noticed Travis was gone as well. Seeing them both now, his assumption was proven right. Why that bothered him, he wasn’t quite sure.
Tossing his apple core aside, he stood up to wander back into the barn. He had more chores to do before he could go riding this afternoon.
Hunter didn’t know Ryan all that well, and they were virtual enemies when it came to the races, but despite those factors, her words angered him. Had people been that cruel to her since she’d lost the one she loved? It was downright despicable. She was such a strong person…to see her now, like this…it was hard. And he didn’t like it that she would bypass doing something in public with him just to save his stupid reputation. He didn’t care about what other people thought, and she shouldn’t either.
He didn’t answer her though, and just kept driving. As they passed a little ice cream shop, he slowed and pulled into the parking lot before cutting the engine. “First off, I don’t know where you live, so I can’t go straight there. And second, I don’t give a rat’s butt what anybody thinks. So you’re coming in with me, we’re getting malts, and we’re going to sit on that table right there under the umbrella and enjoy them while we make fun of anybody who points.”
Posts
