“That’s enough.”
“You’re genuinely kind and caring. There’s a sensitive guy beneath that ugly shirt you insist on wearing every day.” I slipped off my sunglasses and met his narrowed gaze. “I bet you watch Hallmark movies on the weekends, don’t you?”
“I will not tolerate this.”
“How many times have you seenThe Notebook?”
He settled his hands on his hips like an outlaw ready to draw pistols. “If I did, little missy, would you want me to take notes and offer you some dating advice?”
My next verbal zinger died on my tongue. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He jerked his chin toward Miller, who was now talking on his phone and pointing toward the cow pasture.
“You and the boss get in a fight?” Ernie asked.
“Are we about to have girl talk after all?”
“So that’s a yes, you did get in a fight.”
“I don’t recall one.” Mostly because I was blocking it from memory with carb-loading and drowning in anxiety over the thought of seeing Ned again. “Why do you ask?”
“He’s acting as prickly as Vicki Lawrence out there with a thorn beneath his saddle.”
I shrugged. “Can’t imagine what that’s about.”
“Hmph. Well, sheathe those claws because Miller had a hard night.”
“PMS keeping him up?”
“He’s been going since about two this morning looking for a baby calf.”
Miller did look tired, now that Ernie mentioned it. It shouldn’t bother me to see him dragging. What difference was it to me? Yet right that moment I was stopping myself from running to him to see what he needed. But Miller didn’t deserve my assistance right now. “Did they find the calf?”
“Yeah, around four a.m., but then an emergency vet had to be called. Between that and his youngest niece being up sick with an ear infection, Miller probably hasn’t slept much in the last few days.”
“Poppy was sick? I didn’t know that.” Because that would’ve required actually speaking to Miller, something I’d avoided.
“Here he comes.” Ernie dusted some dirt off his jeans. “Try not to act like a jerk.”
I couldn’t help but grin at Ernie’s well-intentioned instruction. “So what you’re saying is, don’t act like you?”
Have gave an audible growl. “When did you say your six months is up?”
Miller ended his call steps away from us and approached the riding ring. Even with the grim face and dark circles beneath his eyes, he looked like a dream. One I was tired of waking up to. “Ernie, Houston Carmack is at the house. Says you wanted to talk to him about the purchase of a few steers.”
“Indeed I did. I’ll head up there.” Ernie tipped his hat in my direction. “Have fun at that wedding tonight.”
“It’s not too late to be my date,” I called, but Ernie ignored me and made quick work of his exit.
That left Miller and me.
Me and Miller.
Together.
Alone.
“I heard you’ve had a few rough nights,” I said when the silence was too much. “I have some coffee and candy in my office if you need an afternoon pick-me-up.” Fixing people was my weakness. Apparently I couldn’t stop myself. If Miller didn’t walk away soon, I’d end up finding him a cot and a pillow.
