Miller laughed, and I wondered if he meant to leave me with that final smoldering look or if it was as automatic for him as breathing. “Sweet dreams, Hattie.”
I watched him walk to his truck, his strides easy, the back of him basically poetry in motion. Miller James exuded more confidence and strength in those fifteen steps than Ned had in his entire adult life.
Miller was exactly the kind of guy who would never date a girl like me.
“Miller?” I called out again.
He stopped and did a slow rotation. “Yes?”
I tucked away my fanciful thoughts and smiled at the man who’d bought me a porch swing and saved me from a serial killer of a date. “Tell the triplets mommy says goodnight.”
Chapter Nineteen
She wore a crop top, frayed denim shorts, and pink earbuds. Her head hung at a forty-five degree angle of aloof sadness, and her red ponytail barely swayed against her back, so slowly did she move.
“Hey, Ava.” I patted Dash’s neck and gave Miller’s niece my warmest smile. “How’s your Saturday going?”
“Fine.” The word spoke multitudes while managing to say nothing at all. “Uncle Miller asked me to invite you to dinner.”
It was all I could do not to point to myself and say, “Me? Are you sure?”
Instead I said, “Thank you, but I don’t want to intrude on family time.”
She shrugged as she watched the movement in the riding arena. “He’s grilling, so that means there will be enough to feed most of the town. Also, Uncle Miller said something about you two needing to work on your side project.”
My face flushed pink. “Right. The side project.” Why had I ever agreed to Miller’s involvement in my dating life? “I guess I could pop over for a bit.”
Ava’s eyes wandered to the ring and landed on the Appaloosa, her frown deepening. “That horse has been watching me all day.”
“Dash?” How interesting. “Want to meet him?”
“No. I just don’t get why he’s staring at me anytime I come outside.”
Because Dash had seen something in Ava and connected in some way. “I’m still getting to know him, but so far, Dash isn’t really big on manners. Want to help me brush him?” It was a deceptive tactic. My theory was if I could get Ava to spend some time with one of the horses, we might be able to work on some of her grief. Dash seemed to be volunteering for the job.
“I don’t know…” Ava looked more than hesitant.
“I’m swamped today, and it would be a huge help. It would free up some time so maybe I could go grab some of my Aunt Frannie’s cupcakes before tonight.”
This idea gave her pause. “The kind with pink icing?”
“With extra sprinkles.”
She studied her black Converse sneakers for a long stretch before giving me a hesitant, jerky nod. “’Kay. But just for a minute.”
“Thank you.” I smiled, thrilling at the opportunity, but reminding myself to play it cool. Reluctant kids could smell a trap almost as well as horses. “Let’s get Dash into the barn.” I led the horse myself, talking gently to the animal, then securing him in his stall with the cross-ties.
Ava was right: Dash was very interested in her. He could hardly take his big, brown eyes off of her.
“All right, Dash is ready for his spa date. Let’s gather our supplies.” Pointing out where brushes were kept, I explained the purpose of each one to Ava. “Before we touch the horse with an implement, I like to stand here for a bit, let him reacquaint himself with me. Then I pet him for a while so he knows my touch is friendly.” I modeled my words, taking a moment to pet Dash. “This is also a good time to softly talk to him.”
Hands clasped in front of her, Ava stood a foot away, her body on alert and stiff with uncertainty. “What do I say?”
“Well, Dash here isn’t exactly Mr. Humble. He likes you to review all the great things he’s done that day—his attaboys.”
“I don’t know what great things he did.”
“Good thing for you, he can also be a really excellent listener when he wants. Why don’t you tell him aboutyourday?”
