I wanted to say,Do it again, but pride kept me silent.
My mouth dried. “I don’t need somebody to hold my hand, is all.”
“That was for me.” He took a step toward me without looking directly at me.
“Excuse me?”
“MaybeIwanted to holdyourhand. Maybe I needed that. I didn’t analyze why I did it.”
“Are you messing with me?”
“Why would I?” He pulled his hat off and slapped his thigh with it. Dirt flew everywhere. Moonlight caught it in midair, made it sparkle like fairy dust.
“I don’t remember my seizures. Then it takes me a while get reoriented afterward.” I gripped my backpack tightly. “What you did was real nice. Thank you.”
Maisy came back to us, she stopped next to my leg before bounding up two of the porch steps. She glanced back to see if I was coming.
Skyler looked dead on his feet but still he asked, “You need anything else before I go?”
I hesitated. I didn’t want the night to end just yet but he was so tired. Could I stretch it out just a few more minutes? “It might be a good idea for me to walk a little.”
“You sure you’re up to that?”
“If I go slow. You mind? It helps. I don’t stiffen up as much.”
“Sure.” His lips gave a little quirk. “I mean, no. I don’t mind.”
I left my pack on the porch and followed him toward the bunkhouse. We walked at a slow pace, a lazy pace, like you’d go if you didn’t want to get to your destination anytime soon. Maisy joined us like a shadow.
Incredibly, he laced his fingers with mine. I was afraid if I acknowledged it, he’d take it back.
So I asked, “How was your first cattle drive?”
“It went about like I expected.” He smiled at some memory before tugging his hat down so I’d have to bend over to see his eyes. “I disgraced myself. Tad and them were nice about it.”
“You’ll get the hang of it soon enough.”
“They said I did okay for a first timer. I liked it.”
I kicked a dried seed pod, sending it rolling up the path ahead. Maisy glanced at me. I let let her go, watching her scramble off into the bushes to chase it. When I stepped into the shadows after her, Sky came with me. And just then, I remembered Sky’s criminal record.
I was practically playing hide-and-seek with a man I knew had killed someone.
At the thought, I froze, but a twig snapped under my foot. I jumped, like in the movies.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Sure.” I knew every inch of the ranch. Because of my size Sky was no match for me. But I wondered if I’d have the will to hurt him. If it really came down to a contest between the two of us—
“Hey.” He reached for the side of my face—cupped it in his hand. I wasn’t ready. I startled and we bumped noses awkwardly. Our teeth clacked together, bruising our lips. My God, he’d been trying to kiss me. And I’d— I’d jumped like he was holding an ax over my head. I was so embarrassed I could hardly move.
That was a piss-poor attempt at a kiss, but Jesus, it wasn’t unwelcomed.
“Ow.”
“Shiiiiiit,” he whispered. “Pretend you can’t see me.”
“Huh?”Pretend...?
