I showered and then came the hardest part- picking out an outfit. I didn’t have a lot to choose from that would fit the bar crowd, but I did have one little number that I had picked up not long before I left the city. I slipped on some tights and a tight, black dress. I added short, black boots, a thin, cream-colored sweater with black western designs all over it that I had for years and couldn’t bring myself to ever get rid of, and a pair of silver earrings my mother had given me for the last birthday of mine she was here for. I looked in the mirror, wondering if it was all too much. Should I change? I didn’t have a clue. I had never been on a date. I had gone out to bars and clubs in the city, but I never really danced or went out with anyone. I just liked to feel included sometimes. I walked out into the hall after hearing footsteps. Was I really doing this? Why did I agree to this? I was so nervous.
“Colt?”
“Yeah?” I looked out the door as I caught a glimpse of him taking a seat at the table, clearly ready to go and waiting for me. He had on a pair of Wranglers, the ones that fit him in all the right places. Oh, that man sure fills out a pair of Wranglers to perfection. He was wearing his boots, of course. I wouldn’t expect anything less. He also had a blue and brown Aztec-designed pearl snap. I loved a man who wore those. He topped it all off with a brown jacket.
“Why are you just sticking your head out the door like that? Are you ready?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
“I think maybe I should change.”
“Let me see.”
Chapter Nine
Colt
She walked out of the room and stood in the hallway. I leaned back in my chair, taking her all in.
“It’s not right, is it?” She looked down at her dress, fidgeting with it. “I should go change into something else, shouldn’t I?” I shook my head no, trying to find the words to describe how good she looked in that dress.
“Well, darlin’, you look like a breath of fresh air on a hot summer day.” She stopped fidgeting to look up at me. “Are you ready?”
“I guess I am.” She smiled, and I felt a feeling I hadn't felt since a teenager.
I opened the door for her, following behind her as we walked out to my truck. I opened that door, taking in how the black dress was hugging her just right. When we got to the bar, I opened the door for her and took the lead to find us a booth to sit at.
“You can wait here while I go grab us a couple of beers.” I came back with one in each hand, giving her one of them. “Have you decided what you want to eat?”
“What do you usually get?” I let out a small laugh.
“I’m a cowboy in Texas. Burger or steak is my thing.” She nodded.
“I’ll take a burger and fries then.” When the waiter came over to us, I ordered each of us the same.
“So…what made you ask me to come here with you tonight? I didn’t expect it.”
“No, I guess not.”
“I mean, you were pretty closed off today. You barely looked my way and hardly spoke a word.” I rubbed the back of my neck. She was right. I had been a jerk today, but only because I was trying to figure out how to ask someone out after it had been so long for me. That, and the fact that I was struggling between my feelings and my promise to my dad.
“I know, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” I regretted doing that to her. She didn't deserve that.
“Did that have anything to do with the comment you made last night?” She was a lot smarter than I first gave her credit for. “You said I could’ve fooled you…”
“I did say that, and yeah…I felt awkward after I said it. I meant for that comment to stay in my head, but it just slipped out.”
“What did you mean by it?”
“You’re beautiful, darlin’, and it just caught me by surprise when you said you’ve never actually been on a date…not a real one at least, because watching a movie with someone of the opposite sex with your parents is not a real date.” She tilted her head back slightly, laughing.
“Thank you.” The waiter brought over our food. We ate,talking a little in between bites. We mostly talked about the ranch and horses, reminiscing some about when we were kids and spending time together then. We talked about our parents, too, including both the good memories and the bad.
“Well, how was it?”
“Good. Do you come here often?”
