I sat on the swing, glass of iced tea in one hand and a book in the other. It was the perfect place to watch all six-foot-something of Miller saunter my direction. I loved the way the descending sun lit on his brown hair, bringing out the auburn highlights that women paid hundreds for down at the Ratify Salon. I liked the way his worn work boots cut into the grass, then thudded on my porch steps. And I sure found a small thrill letting my gaze roam over his jeans, often paired with a vintage Western shirt that had lots of pearl snaps that could’ve looked ironic or silly but on him were totallyGQ. I tried my utmost not to think about what was beneath those snaps. Like muscle. And suntanned skin. And a heart that beat fiercely for this land and its guests.
I knew a little something about a pounding heart. “Hey, boss.”
Miller crossed the porch, his eyes intense on mine. “Evening.”
“Where are the girls?”
“Dropped them off at church to do whatever it is they do with kids on a Wednesday night. Hopefully they pray out some of that attitude and sass.”
I smiled and put down the book club novel I’d failed at reading. “You wouldn’t want them any other way.”
Miller sat down beside me, not having a care that a feather wouldn’t fit between us. “Tonight Ava asked me if she could get her new boyfriend’s name tattooed on her arm.”
“I admire her commitment.”
“She’s twelve and hasn’t even been here five months.How does she already have a boyfriend?”
Because she’s a stunner like her uncle.“I can’t imagine.”
“I got a call from the preschool around nine.” He stretched his arm across the back of the swing and let his head rest on the seam of the plush cushion. “Seems Poppy smuggled one of the new barn kittens into her backpack.” Miller shook his head while I laughed. “Said it was her therapy animal.”
He shot me a warning look and I laughed again. “That idea did not come from me. Mostly.”
“If she brings a horse, I’m having them call you.” He reached for the tea glass in my hand and brought it to his lips, wincing as he swallowed. “Needs more sugar.”
“That tea is perfect. Especially if you don’t want diabetes.” I watched his lips cover the very spot where my own had rested. Was I now as boy crazy as Ava?
“What are you reading?” he asked.
“Nothing.” I flipped the book over, cover down. “Just a boring classic.”
“Why are you blushing?”
“I’m not.” I fanned my face. “It’s the heat. Very humid.”
Miller reached that long arm around me, but not before I plucked the novel from his grip. Not one to be deterred, he became a flurry of arms and hands, searching for the book.
“Leave my book alone.” I swatted his crawling hand and shoved the book behind my back. “Go hang out on your own porch.”
“Mine’s boring. And doesn’t have reading material like…this.” His hand slid between me and the cushion, and he leaned so close, I could count every stubbly whisker shading his cheek. His gaze locked on mine as he slowly, deliberately pulled out the book, taking the long way up the length of my back.
I shivered against the caress and scooted to the left. “Just give me the novel.”
“Not until I see what it is. Maybe I want to read it.” Miller inspected the cover, his brows shooting north. “Love at First Howl: The Nerdy Witch Loves a Werewolf? Hattie Sutton, are you reading smut?”
“It’s not smut. I’ll have you know it’s a book club selection.”
“Whose book club?”
“Sylvie and Frannie’s. And before you make fun of it, it has an unexpectedly wonderful plot, characters who evolve…”
He inspected the full-bosomed woman on the cover. “Oh, she’s definitely evolved.”
“It features a heroine who fights for social justice and doesn’t need a man to save her.”
“Is there kissing in this book?”
“Maybe. I haven’t noticed.”
