He had a bemused expression, the kindness in his eyes letting her know she could be herself with him, question things, make demands, and never affront him. But was he serious about a date? He knew this thing they were doing would turn into a mess once they were home.
Wouldn’t it?
“Go with it, Maria,” he said, his eyes dancing. “If I have to trick you into going out with me, then let it be. I already said yes.”
She chuckled, delighted by his ploy. He smiled back, the skin around his dark eyes crinkling. It was difficult to be too serious for too long while near him. He brought life and joy with him everywhere he went.
She knew he was being extra charming to woo her, but she’d also known him for years and knew this was a big part of who he was. Naturally. Even when she wasn’t around.
She caught herself leaning closer, waiting, wondering, dreaming. Clint would make a fine boyfriend. She already knew that. She enjoyed spending time with him; he made her laugh, was sweet and thoughtful, and felt like someone she could pour her heart out to.
She caught herself and straightened. “You know that anything that happens here won’t make it back to Sweetheart Creek. My boys…” She paused, thinking how they might react if she came home with a boyfriend. And how would it work, bringing him to the ranch that had always belonged to Wylders?
“Your sons are adults,” Clint said. “And so are you. And so am I.”
“And I don’t think I could bear inviting drama into my life right now.”
“Then let’s not make it dramatic.”
She felt a stir of discontentment inside. “We’re too old. Our time has passed.” She stood, feeling a great tearing in her heart. “I’m sorry. I can’t pretend I’m ready for something like this.”
“How about I simply escort you to dinner tomorrow?”
“Clint…”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I. What happens between us in Indigo Bay—”
“Will be magnificent, spectacular, and something we will never forget.” Clint had stood up as well. He reached for her hand and held it lightly. “Know that if I fall in love with you here, I’m taking that home with me. Life is short, Maria. So here’s the truth.” He studied their hands for a beat before looking up, determination in his steady gaze. “I’m fighting for you whether you’re ready or not.”
Maria, still dazed from Clint’s proclamation, chucked tubes of paint at random into her basket.
“Are you sure you need this much pink?” Kittim asked, holding up a handful of reddish hues.
“What?”
“What did Clint say to you before we left? You’re on a different planet, and it seems like it might be a hostile one.”
Maria blinked away her thoughts and focused on her friend, the craft store and her basket. Kit had returned from the neighbor’s moments after Clint had proclaimed he wasn’t giving up on Maria and a romance. She’d said the first thing she could think of to Kit.
Paint.
She needed paint for the bags. Immediately. Before her ideas dried up.
Her friend had squealed in excitement and swept her off like Maria had hoped she would.
The problem was, Maria didn’t particularly want to create something for each bag, but she’d needed space. How could Clint be so sure? How could he be ready to fight for her? It had to be lingering feelings from his health scare. He was primed to leap on anything that moved and hang on tight in fear of losing it.
Maria’s phone buzzed in her pocket.
“Is that Levi again?” Kit asked.
She pulled out the cell and glanced at the screen. He’d already called her once and she’d ignored it. She nodded and went back to selecting paint, only this time with more care and attention.
“You know I don’t mind if you pick up. I mean, if there’s an emergency…” Kit was watching her from the corner of her eyes.
“There isn’t.”
The phone continued to buzz in Maria’s pocket.
“Did the boys say something?”
“I’m trying to have a vacation.”
Feeling Kit’s eyes on her, she explained, “They keep asking me about every little thing like they’re afraid to make a decision without me, but I know they know how to run the place. I don’t know where I fit into their worlds any longer, but this constant asking me about all these small things isn’t working. And then Clint had the gall to say he wants me and will fight for me. How is that going to work? He wants to date. Like, seriously date.” She threw up her hands, rattling everything in the basket slung over her arm.
She was trying to relax, but still had one foot back on the ranch, still needed that sense of control over everything. Why couldn’t she step away for a few days?
“You need to take a breath, woman,” Kittim said with a light laugh. “You need some time for yourself or something.”
“I’m trying! That’s why I’m here.”
Kittim gnawed on her bottom lip, her eyes wide.
“I’m sorry.” Maria sighed and added a few brushes to her basket, but they slid out the holes and onto the floor.
“Hey, no need to apologize.” Kit folded her in a quick hug before she could stoop down to collect them. “I get it.”
“I feel like I need boundaries between me and the ranch when I’m away. I want to be important to them, but I also want some peace. I’ve already learned that I need the ranch in my life, but this all feels so difficult.”
Her phone buzzed yet again. Kit reached over and fished it out of Maria’s pocket, then tapped the screen a few times and put it to her ear. Moments later she said, “Levi, honey, it’s Kittim. You need to let your mother enjoy her vacation, okay?” She listened. “It’s a tractor. Fix it or buy a new one.” She listened for another moment. “I know, but you’re a big boy. You can settle this. Your mom left you in charge of the ranch for a reason. Figure it out and let her enjoy her last two days, okay?” She rolled her eyes as she listened some more. “I have a feeling you already know what she wants done with the machine.”
Maria nodded.
“So quit dragging your feet and make it happen. Or at the very least deal with it all when she gets home.” She tapped the end call button with a flourish and handed back the phone.
“How did that go?”
“You know… Whine, whine, whine.” She winked. “It’s fine. He’s just trying to do the right thing.”
They moved toward the checkout. “So, solved that one. Want to talk about your identity issues next, or should we jump right into your love life?”
“Neither of those are as easy as telling Levi to lay off for a few days.”
They laughed and Maria pulled Kit into a one-armed hug. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.” She studied her as they faced each other in the lineup. “So? What are you going to do about Clint?”
“I have absolutely no clue.”
“Make a wish and hope it comes true?”
Maria’s thoughts floated toward the Christmas tree set up in downtown Indigo Bay. Maybe she should have made a second wish the other day.
“He stayed on here a few extra days, you know,” Maria said, without thought.