by Laura Ann
Dropping her back to her feet, Noah slowed down their kissing before pulling away completely. Both of them were panting by the time their mouths separated. “We really should get back to the group,” Noah said hoarsely.
“Why?” Lettie asked as she leaned forward for another kiss.
Noah allowed the contact for a minute before groaning and pulling away. “Because if we don’t, I’ll be tempted to keep you here all night.”
He looked at her wide eyes, noting the flushed cheeks and swollen lips. Her hair was a little messy from where his hands had been exploring and he noted that she looked absolutely beautiful. His usual thought when it came to Lettie was how cute she was, but standing here in the barn, showing off the results of their little make-out session, she looked like a beautiful, desirable woman. Noah’s heart banged against his chest and he fought the urge to grab her again.
“You were right,” Lettie said softly.
“About what?”
“Cowboys do know how to romance a girl,” she said with a small smile.
Noah froze for a moment. There she went, talking about cowboys again. That tiny worried voice in the back of his head began tugging for his attention. It kept shouting that she wasn’t really interested in him, just excited for any cowboy who came along. That can’t be true, he assured himself. She doesn’t act interested in Levi or Oli, and both have flirted with her on several occasions. He chuckled uneasily, praying she didn’t notice the forced sound, and rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, it’s easy when you have someone named Romeo on your side,” he quipped.
“What’s wrong?” Lettie asked, stepping closer so she could put her hands on his chest.
Noah’s body sizzled at the contact. “Nothing. Why?”
Lettie shrugged. “Nothing, I guess. You have just a funny look on your face.”
Noah shoved his worries aside and forced his muscles to relax. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her forehead. “Sorry. Just thinking.”
Lettie snuggled in under his chin. “Are you okay with all this?”
Noah leaned back and tilted his chin down to catch her eye. “Are you okay with this? We only have a week until you go home.”
Lettie shrugged. “It’s not ideal, but like you said the other day, I think I’d regret it if we didn’t give it a try.” She grinned and reached up to run her fingers through his hair. “There’s something different about you, Noah. Good different. But I’ve never...” She bit her bottom lip. “I’ve never felt such a strong reaction to someone before.”
Noah’s eyes had been stuck on that lip while she chewed it, and he couldn’t resist leaning down to give it a tender kiss. “Me either,” he admitted, tugging playfully on a piece of her hair. “I guess we’ll deal with the end of the week when it gets here.” After one last achingly, sweet touch, he pulled back and cleared his throat. “Come on. Let’s go dance and roast s’mores. My parents are gonna think I’m up to no good if I keep you much longer.”
“And they’d be right,” Lettie said with a grin as she grabbed his hand and led him toward the door.
One of the horses let out a loud whinny as they walked toward the exit and Lettie paused to call over her shoulder. “Sorry! He’s taken for the night.”
Noah huffed a laugh as she led him back outside. The air had gotten cooler while they were in the barn and the breeze helped with the heat swirling inside of him. A heat which seemed to only get worse every time he and Lettie spent time together. Off in the distance, he could see the large bonfire and hear the strains of music floated through the air.
Lettie’s pink lips pulled up into a beaming smile as she heard it. “Come on!” She began tugging hard on his arm. “I’ve never done square dancing before and I’m excited to try it!”
Noah shook his head with an indulgent smile. “You really want to learn it?”
Lettie tilted her head and gave him a look. “Why wouldn’t I? I’m here for the full cowboy experience, right?”
“I suppose so,” Noah conceded. He picked up the pace. “Better get a move on.” He usually hated square dancing, and often pulled out his guitar to help play just so he had an excuse not to join in. Tonight, however, he realized he was willing to do just about anything to keep Lettie smiling as brightly as she was right now. Her enjoyment of life was contagious, and Noah wanted to soak it in.
As they came up to the group, Levi walked over to meet them and began studying Scarlett’’s hair. He grabbed her head and tilted it around until he saw every bit of it. Noah frowned, unsure of what his friend was doing.
Scarlett slapped his hands away and stared the large man down. “What?” she demanded.
Noah kept his chuckle to himself. It was like watching a baby chick taking on a grizzly bear.
Levi pursed his lips and shook his head. “Nothing. Just making sure you two didn’t miss any stray pieces of straw that might have gotten stuck.”
Noah groaned. He should have known that was coming. Levi and Oli had been his friends since high school, and they were always hounding him about finding a girl. It made sense that they would take it upon themselves to tease him mercilessly when it finally happened.
Scarlett put a hand on the side of her mouth and mock whispered, “We didn’t lay in any straw. You guys and your modern barns got rid of the loft, remember?”
Levi snapped his fingers. “Right.” He winked. “But that’s only because we found better places to take a lady.”
Scarlett rolled her eyes good-naturedly and glanced at Noah with a smile. He automatically smiled back.
“Uh-oh.” Levi grabbed Scarlett’s hand and began tugging her away from Noah.
“What?” Scarlett asked, looking back at Noah, then to Levi again.
“He’s smiling.” Levi pointed to Noah. “Aliens must have taken him over. We better run while we can.”
“Stop,” Scarlett said with a laugh. She looked over her shoulder. “He’s got a wonderful smile.”
Noah’s neck felt like it was burning, but he loved that she was so open with her thoughts. Stepping forward to grab her, he growled when Levi tugged her farther away.
“Better dance with me now, Scarlett,” Levi said, “while he’s in a good mood. I have a feeling old Noah’ll dominate your attention for the rest of the night.”
“All right,” Scarlett said, walking with him. “But Noah?”
He tilted his chin up to wait for her comment.
“I wouldn’t mind if you did.”
Ah, heck. I’m in deep.
CHAPTER 15
Scarlett gasped for breath and clapped her hands as the song ended. Her smile felt like it would split her face. She hadn’t had this much fun in her life ever. When Levi stepped up after the clapping died down, she shook her head. “No way! I’m done!” Scarlett wiped a bead of sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand. “Geez, I’m sweating here!”
Levi chuckled. “Bouncing around like an idiot is more work than you’d think, right?”
Scarlett elbowed his ribcage. “You would know.”
Levi put a hand over the spot she hit and made a face. “Hey, now! Go easy on me. I’m fragile!”
Scarlett shook her head and laughed some more. She felt so free and happy. There was nothing contrived about her joyful outlook at the moment, and it felt wonderful to have her mind wholly in line with her outward appearance. She and Levi reached the chairs they’d eaten dinner in and Scarlett collapsed in hers. “He’s all yours,” she said to Betsy.
Betsy jumped to her feet. “Come on, Levi. I haven’t danced a square dance in forty years!”
Levi grumbled good-naturedly and let her drag him back out to the dance floor.
Scarlett’s smile stayed on her face as she watched them go. Off to the side, the flames flickered in the dark, lending a reddish hue to the area. A couple of spotlights had been turned on so the dancers and musicians could continue to perform as long as they wanted into the night. She waved at a mosquito buzzing around her face and uncons
ciously searched the area for Noah.
“Did you have fun dancing?” a baritone voice said from behind her.
Scarlett spun in her seat. “Oli. Good to see you again. And yes, I did,” she said. Scarlett had only spent a little time with the easy-going cowboy, but those few moments had been very enjoyable. His smile was quick and his wit even quicker. And his patience with Trent is otherworldly, Scarlett had to admit. She wouldn’t have been able to handle the scummy writer one-on-one for two weeks.
Oli grabbed a chair and brought it up so he faced the dancers, causing Scarlett to shift her seat a little as well. “Are you enjoying your time here?” he asked with a smile.
Scarlett nodded. “It’s more than I ever dreamed it would be,” she said before she could think better of it. Geez. Cheesy much? Scarlett shook her head. “Sorry. I just meant that I was really excited to come, and it’s been exactly what I wanted.” She made a face. “Other than falling off of Romeo, of course.”
Oli studied her for a minute, his head tilted. “Great,” he finally said, his smile a little less genuine than before. “I’m glad to hear it.”
Scarlett’s peacefulness dimmed a little at his response, but she didn’t feel she knew him well enough to pry. She glanced around. “Have you seen Noah recently?”
Oli nudged her arm. “Look up there.”
Scarlett followed his finger and sucked in a breath. Noah was now standing with the musicians, a guitar slung over his shoulder.
“You folks having a good time tonight?” Noah shouted.
A large cry of affirmation went up.
Noah smiled and put a hand in the air. “Glad to hear it. Now, I’m afraid these men behind me have decided it’s time to take a little break.” He patted the air to settle down the boos that followed. “I don’t claim to be as good as them, but I can strum a few chords.” Noah grinned, his eyes meeting Scarlett’s.
She could feel her jaw hanging down and promptly snapped it shut. “He plays the guitar?” she whispered to herself.
“Yep,” Oli replied.
Scarlett jerked her head in his direction, having forgotten he was there. “Is he any good?”
Oli smirked and nodded toward the makeshift stage. “See for yourself.”
Scarlett spun back around, eagerly waiting for Noah to get going. As the strains of an old country song began to filter through the breeze, her lungs stopped working completely. The sound vibrated through the air and straight into Scarlett’s heart. I think I’m falling in love... “He just keeps getting better and better,” Scarlett murmured. She looked at Oli and smiled. “I’ve always wanted a cowboy to play guitar and sing for me.”
Oli frowned again, but nodded. “I guess that’s kinda what he’s doing right now.”
Scarlett turned her attention back to the stage and sure enough, Noah’s gaze was fixed on her. The couples on the dance floor had slowed down and paired off. Her mind wandered to what it would feel like to dance with Noah. She could already feel his thick arms around her while she rested her head on his chest. His heart would be beating strong and sure under her cheek and his outdoorsy smell would overwhelm her senses. She sighed. She’d just have to be patient. Hopefully, when the band members came back, she would get her chance to be held by him again.
“Did you want to dance?” Oli asked.
Scarlett turned to him, her daydream floating away. “Sorry, what did you say?”
Oli grinned and shrugged. “Noah’s a little busy. I thought I’d two-step with you until he was free.”
“Two-step?” Scarlett’s eyebrows shot up. “I’ve never learned to two-step.” Her eyes darted to a body in the shadows watching everyone. When she looked closer, Scarlett realized it was Trent. His hands were stuffed in his pockets, and his gaze was hard as he stared at the group.
Oli stood up, bringing Scarlett’s concentration back to him, and offered his hand. “You’re staying on a ranch, Ms. Dylan. It’s about time you learned.”
Noting that Trent was now watching her, Scarlett took the proffered hand and grinned. “Geez, are you cowboys all flirts?” She stood, anxious to get away from Trent’s dark look.
Oli chuckled again and led her to the dance floor. “We try our best, ma’am,” Oli said, adding a twang to his voice.
Scarlett shook her head. “I think that might be worse than my accent. And no matter how obsessed I am with cowboys, absolutely do not call me ma’am.” She scrunched her nose. “Makes me feel like a grandmother.”
Oli grinned. “Good. I feel like an idiot when I do it.” He put his hand on Scarlett’s shoulder blade and started demonstrating the dance move he had mentioned earlier.
A few minutes later, they jerked to a stop. “I’m so sorry!” Scarlett jumped back when she stepped on his toe for the fifth time. “I’m so bad at this.”
“Maybe it’s the teacher,” Noah said from behind her.
Scarlett spun and put her hands on her hips. “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Secret Guitar Player.”
Noah grinned bashfully and rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t tell you everything at once. You’d get bored before the week was out.”
Scarlett shook her head. “I don’t think there’s anything boring about cowboys.”
NOAH TILTED HIS CHIN to Oli, telling him to back off, and the cowboy grinned, putting his hands in the air.
“I know when I’m not wanted,” Oli said, stepping backward.
Noah shook his head and put his focus back on Lettie. Holding out his arms, he waited for her to get in position. The first couple of minutes were full of bliss as he held her close and swayed to the music. He’d been watching her from his place on the stage and had finally reached the end of his patience. Lettie had danced with both Levi and Oli. Now it was Noah’s turn.
“You could have pushed me over with a feather when you stood up with your guitar,” Lettie murmured, her eyes focused on his.
Noah grinned. “Does that mean you were impressed?”
Lettie laughed under her breath. “I think that’s an understatement.” She sighed and put her head on his chest. “This is heavenly.”
Noah had to agree, although the fact that he did was nerve-wracking. How could she slip into his life so easily after only seven days? It just seemed impossible, but here she was. Instead of speaking, Noah gave her a little squeeze to let her know he felt the same way and kept them moving.
After the song was over, the fiddler counted out another song and the band broke into a fast-paced rhythm. With a groan, Noah pulled Lettie off the dance floor. “Well...there went that,” he said, sitting back in their dinner seats.
She laughed. “There aren’t a lot of couples here, so it’s probably better that they do the faster songs.”
“True enough.”
Lettie tapped her lips. “You know...I seem to recall that you promised me a s’more.”
Noah glanced over at the flames. “The fire might be a little too high still.”
She frowned and pointedly looked at the two Foreman boys, who were holding roasting sticks over the flames.
“We can do it, if you want, but the best s’mores are made over coals,” he explained. “They cook more evenly and the insides melt better.”
“Who made you the s’more expert?” she demanded, putting her hands on her hips in a playful gesture.
Noah shrugged. “I told you I’d teach you everything you needed to know.”
Lettie smiled wider.
They stared at each other for a moment, the intensity between them starting to crackle again, when Noah jolted from a hard slap on his back.
“Hey, bro,” Lucas, his younger brother, said. “Having a good time?”
Noah looked up and scowled. “I was.”
Lucas grinned unrepentantly. He glanced over at Lettie. “How about you, Ms. Dylan? Is the old man here showing you a good time?”
Lettie’s blush was easy to see even in the dark, and Lucas cracked up.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” he said between his
laughter.
“Watch it,” Noah growled.
Lucas walked over and held out a hand to Lettie. “I heard you ask for a s’more, and since I don’t believe in making ladies wait, I figure we can get a good one done even with a high fire.”
Lettie glanced at Noah, then accepted Lucas’s hand with a coy smile. “I’ll admit this lady doesn’t like to wait, so I’m game if you are.”
Noah rolled his eyes and started to stand up.
“No, no, no,” Lucas said quickly. “You stay there.” He pointed to Noah’s seat. “It’s my turn to impress her.” He hooked Lettie’s hand through his elbow and started walking her across the space toward the fire. “What do you think of my manners? My mom’s been coaching me.”
Noah ignored his brother’s demands to stay put and followed them, smirking at the teenage boy’s attempt at flirting.
Lettie patted his arm. “You’re doing great. What girl wouldn’t love such gentility?”
Lucas’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s a four-dollar word.”
Lettie snorted. “Manners. It’s just another word for manners.”
“Right.” Lucas nodded sagely. “I knew that.”
Lettie laughed even harder and Noah’s smile grew wider. He was grateful for the fact that his family was so accepting of his attention to her. However...if Noah knew his family at all, he knew that they would stick their nose into his business as much as he would let them, and probably send Lettie running for the hills in the meantime. Which is exactly why he was keeping Lucas in his sights.
“You know...” Lucas hedged, “Violet has quite a few embarrassing stories of Noah. If you want to get to know him really well, she’d be the perfect contact.” He looked at Noah from over his shoulder and grinned mischievously.
Noah rolled his eyes when Lettie snorted again. “Brat,” he muttered.
“Don’t worry.” She looked back and winked at Noah. “I’ll leave that subject alone...for now.”
“Here we go.” Lucas stopped at a table and grabbed a couple of sticks and marshmallows. “Let me get you set up.”