Mack had his arms folded as he spoke. His words faded while Lacey observed him closer. Without his attention on her, she could study him. She told herself she was merely trying to get to the root of why she was starting to find him irresistible. If she could decipher that, then maybe she could put a stop to it.
He had a dimple in his right cheek when he smiled big enough. How had she missed that? Maybe on some subconscious level, she’d noticed it. There was nothing cuter than a dimple. She was a sucker for them.
Cut it out, Lacey. You’re not supposed to be finding reasons to like him more. You’re supposed to be finding reasons to hate him.
At this rate, that was going to be impossible. The way to her heart was through her son, and here Mack was, making her son laugh and helping him win toys from the crane machine.
She jolted when she realized he was staring right at her.
Shoot! She’d been staring first, and he’d caught her.
Hot, raging fire swept beneath the surface of her skin, and she averted her gaze. The food was here. She hadn’t even noticed the waitress bringing it over. This was a battle she was quickly losing.
Lacey lost track of how many times she caught him watching her. Each and every time, her own eyes darted to other things. If anyone had asked her what the main topics of conversation had been at dinner, she wouldn’t have been able to mention even one.
When they walked out of the restaurant and headed for Angela’s car, the toe of Lacey’s shoe snagged on an uneven crack in the sidewalk. She pitched forward, her heart catching in her throat when someone snatched her hand and stopped her from falling flat on her face.
Breaths puffed from her lungs as adrenaline coursed through her body. Her focus darted to Mack, and she briefly offered him an embarrassed smile. “Thanks.” Her gratitude came easier than anything else that evening.
“You okay, Lace?” Angela asked from the other side of the car.
Lacey nodded. “Just clumsy.”
Mack leaned closer to her just as she realized his warm hand still held hers. Not only that, but he’d slipped his fingers within her own so they were woven together. His low, husky voice was for her ears alone when he murmured, “You know these gaps between your fingers? I think they were made for mine.”
That heat returned to her face, and she yanked her hand free of his before staring at him, aghast. Her eyes darted to where Angela had already climbed into the car and was fiddling with the radio. Bridger climbed across the back seat to the booster they’d put there for him. “You can’t do that,” she said with a shaky voice, more to herself than anyone else.
He seemed to ignore her. “I look forward to taking you on our third date.”
CHAPTER SIX
Mack should be cuttinghis losses. But the reasonable part of his brain seemed to be on vacation. He’d never chased after a woman like this. He needed to win Lacey over, and he didn’t know why.
He was drawn to her. There was no doubt about that.
Maybe it was the fact that she had so many layers. She was a single mother. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know she’d had the kid when she was a teenager. And Bridger had mentioned he lived with his grandparents for a while.
It was nice to think that some families were still supportive of their children even after making such a life-altering decision.
While his attraction to Lacey had been founded on her easy smile and the way she could go toe-to-toe with him in conversation, he had to admit that perspective had changed.
Lacey was unique. She was strong and determined. She had every characteristic he could see himself wanting in a future wife—not that he planned on getting married any time soon. But would it be so bad if he ended up winning her over?
He liked the kid. Bridger was a boy after his own heart. He liked sports, and he was smart. All the possibilities the world had to offer were right there for the taking.
“Mack, you listening?”
He jumped and glanced over to his brother. Caleb frowned at him and jerked his chin toward their cousin. Mack’s eyes followed the path and landed on Bo. His oldest cousin sat astride his horse, turning it around so he faced Mack and Caleb, who were still on the ground, ready and waiting for the next cow to come barreling through the shoot for her vaccine. Next month, breeding season would begin, and they needed all their viable specimens ready.
Mack nodded, bracing himself to secure the animal so the new vet could gift it with the medicine it’d need. This wasn’t his idea of a good time. Most of the work at Sagebrush was mundane at best. He’d much rather the adrenaline that came with riding a horse that didn’t want him on its back. The closest he got to that was when he was trying to break in a horse—but Bo didn’t like inexperienced men taking the risk.
Joke was on him. Mack might not have received special training, but he knew how to hold his own. He could stay in a saddle as long as the best of them.
The cow hurried through the shoot, and together with Caleb’s help, they secured the cow. Those who had been born during the spring calving season also needed tags. Today was labor intensive, and it wasn’t helping that his thoughts were elsewhere.
He glanced over to a small corral where some of his cousin’s children were learning how to ride. Katrina was giving them alesson, and Mack’s thoughts shifted to Bridger. He was about as old as Bo’s oldest. They’d gotten along at Caleb’s housewarming party. Maybe one day he’d like to come play with Bo’s kids.
That brought a smile to his face. It was strange, thinking about Bridger other than just the kid of the girl Mack was attracted to. He’d never thought of himself as someone who would enjoy spending time with children. The concept was new to him.
