“That’s fair. Okay, not the bunk houses though. Too many guys to see me. My parents’ house is better. We’ll meet there. Six?”
“Six.”
He didn’t know what more to do so he stuck his hand out. Glancing down, surprised and puzzled, he shook his head. “You frazzled me so much, I’ve lost my fucking mind.”
She laughed out loud at his statement. Then she shook his hand. “Until tomorrow.”
They agreed to date. Daisy—his pseudo-cousin and family member—Rydell.
Chapter 5
COULD THIS REALLY BE happening? Daisy’s nerves all but blocked off her breathing and her throat seemed to swell inside. It was almost six o’clock. She walked back from her parents’ house and onto the single-lane dirt road, which was the main thoroughfare that connected her parents’ house to Asher’s parents’ house. Just a mile or so apart. The Reeds lived directly across the ranch’s original entrance gate. Daisy’s house was located at the farthest end of the ranch and up the riverbank. The apple orchards ran parallel to the river from there.
She looked forward to her date tonight. With Asher.
He was right about the night she confessed her true feelings. She’d wanted him to turn toward her, as shocked as she to realize that he was also attracted to her all these years. He couldn’t admit it to himself or to her until he fully realized it. But once connected, the secrecy and ambience of the romantic spot, enhanced by the brilliant stars overhead and a rooftop view, might have been enough, she’d hoped that he’d want to kiss her… and then what? Would they both recognize they were in love?
Was she in love? Daisy still wondered, but she had to admit having a crush. Her feelings towards him made her hyper aware of his presence. She’d listened and reviewed and catalogued every single thing he’d said and movement he’d made. She noticed how his hands tugged on his hair and how he smiled and rolled his eyes whenever Hunter made a joke.
Knowing he came to her parents’ house made her feel like rolling up into a ball of childish embarrassment. Proposing a date was the last thing she’d dreamed their conversation would end with. She thought he came over to gently tell her he only viewed her as a friend and younger cousin. Or say she was inappropriate to voice the feelings she had for him. Or perhaps he came to simply smooth things over so when they saw each other again, there wouldn’t be an uncomfortable silence.
She was drunk when she expressed her feelings, but it was what she truly wanted. Him. Hearing that he spent the whole day seeking advice about what she told him stimulated her internal radar, which was zinging and zapping. If he were indifferent toward her, he’d have gently let her down, or ignored her, or harshly explained what they really were to each other.
But Asher had a ton of questions now and he didn’t know what he felt. An unsure Asher? She could work with that. And a date. A start of something? A let’s-see-what-happens event? Turned out to be something she looked forward to and hoped it would be equally exciting for both of them.
There she was, poised and ready for the best time of her life.
But she didn’t expect her stomach to start doing backflips, which nearly felt like it was sucker-punching her. Words seemed to vanish from her brain. Her nerves ratcheted up her anxiety and she was alternating hot and cold already. Before she even caught a glimpse of him. No. She could not wuss out now. She’d started this and tonight she’d either end up finishing it or perhaps plan a second date? She had no expectations but a lot of hope. No idea what Asher might be like on a date either. Or how she could manage to keep him interested, for that matter. She dated often, mostly casually, for fun or company, not romance. Usually, she never invested her emotions, not until now.
Should she knock? Or just wait on the porch? Or on the driveway? Suddenly, a truck appeared right behind her. The driveway gate was the rendezvous location. Her insides quaked and something lodged in her throat. She was instantly way too nervous. If she didn’t calm down soon, she’d surely ruin the one and only shot she had with him.
Asher was on time. Their eyes locked when he turned into his parents’ driveway to find her waiting there. He wasn’t smiling or nonchalant as she was used to seeing him. Always pleasant with his greetings and comfortably at ease. This time? Both of them looked like wanted criminals, waiting to hear their verdict read in court.
Asher put his truck into park, slipped out and walked around the hood before stopping a few feet short of her. She didn’t just hop in. Hands on her waist, her elbows out, she took in his outfit of clean jeans and a buttoned shirt. He didn’t wear a hat and his dark hair was styled. Daisy knew he put some effort into dressing. So did she. Her straight hair was parted to one side, and she had no bangs. It cascaded over her shoulder, ending just below it. Her makeup was tastefully done, but heavier than she ever bothered to wear at home.
Dressed in a red shirt that loosely fell off her shoulder and a black skirt that was respectably short. He studied her entire appearance. Sweeping from her bare forehead to her toes peeking out of her strappy sandals. She pressed her lips tightly, seeking the right words. She needed to say something, but her throat felt as rough as sandpaper and nothing came to mind.
“Hi,” she nearly croaked, becoming almost breathless after saying it.
“Hi.” Asher’s reply sounded just as awkward before his gaze darted off. “You look nice.”
Her heart swelled before it began to hurt. Heat flushed her neck, and she knew at once a bright pink hue filled her cheeks. What a generic phrase. It had to be the most standard compliment. Cats were nice. Sunny days were nice. Crap. Nice? Blushing and tongue-tied, Daisy felt so self-conscious, but in an oddly pleasant way. As always, she was aware of every move he made and how she responded.
“Thank you. So do you.” Wow, she might have blown him away with her seductive response. They were worse than two fifteen-year-olds going to their first coed dance. All they needed to complete the inelegant moment was to have his parents looking on. They both sounded uneasy, and her only comfort was knowing the ridiculous sensations she observed in herself were not just hers alone.
His feet shuffled as he stared at the ground. “Should we go?”
God, please. Anything to end this torture and discomfort.
“Sure.”
He surprised her when he came over to open the truck door for her. Her appreciation must have shown in the glance she gave him. Initially confused by his sudden proximity, she watched him open the door and hold it for her politely.
Not what she expected from Asher. Or anyone else for that matter. No one ever opened the car door for her before. She wondered why he did. Obviously, she could have done it herself. But it was a sign of his respect, right? A bit old-fashioned too since no guy she’d ever been out with ever did it. Asher settled in and the truck roared to life as he glanced over his shoulder to back out. The road was clear, as usual, and down the road they went.
Silently.
Daisy clasped her hands together in her lap. He was a teenager when he came here, so it was not too hard to imagine his chivalry was probably instilled by his grandmother. Daisy liked being the recipient of his gallantry. Groping for something to say, and trying to start a sparkling conversation if only to release the torturous tension in the truck’s cab, Daisy asked, “What town were you raised in before you came here? I’m not sure I ever heard you say.”