Four
Since Nicole’s sense of smell was on hyperdrive lately, she avoided the elevator except for when she was simply too fatigued to take the stairs. The convenience of riding down wasn’t always worth being stuck in an enclosed space with the Gardenia Perfume Woman on the fifth floor or Eats a Ton of Garlic on three. Today, the stairs also gave her an excuse to burn off some nervous energy.
She spotted Daniel, leaning against the wall by the elevator banks, before he saw her. Last time they’d encountered each other, he’d been leaving physical therapy and was dressed like someone going to the gym. Today he wore dark jeans, a white button-down shirt and a cowboy hat. She was tempted not to make her presence known and spend a few more minutes appreciating the picture he made.
Get a grip. Adele was counting on her. How could Nicole facilitate reconciliation between mother and children if she was distracted by lust-addled pregnancy hormones and the way Daniel Baron filled out a pair of Wranglers?
Taking a deep breath, she approached him with the same composure and welcoming smile she would have used when greeting a businessman. “Hi.”
He whipped his head around. “Nicole.” One eyebrow lifted. “This is a surprise.”
“Weren’t you expecting me?” she teased.
“I was expecting Nicole Bennett, executive. I’ve never seen you out of your work clothes.”
She did a double take at his phrasing—and at the idea of Daniel seeing her out of her clothes.
“I mean, I’ve only ever seen you in your professional wardrobe,” he backpedaled. “I was thinking the other day that I couldn’t imagine you in jeans.”
“You’ve been thinking about me?” She wished she hadn’t asked the impulsive question. What if it led to awkwardness on their long drive?
But he held her gaze, not looking the least discomfited. “Yes, ma’am.”
A liquid shiver went through her. He’d joked about not knowing what he wanted to be when he grew up. He should look into narration or recording books on tape. People would pay good money to listen to that low, rich voice.
“Ready to go?” he asked.
Anywhere you want to lead, cowboy. Wow. The pregnancy books really didn’t do these hormone surges justice. Nicole couldn’t remember the last time her libido had been so supercharged.
It occurred to her that maybe she should enjoy the sensation while she could. She rarely dated now, and she didn’t imagine potential suitors would be lining up at her door once her pregnancy became visibly obvious. And after the baby was born? As the single mother of an infant, Nicole suspected she’d be too tired to indulge an active sex drive.
She definitely had some challenging months ahead of her. But for right now, a hot guy with a smile that stole her breath was opening the door for her. The sunshine outside only added to her upbeat mood.
“What a gorgeous day.” She fished in her purse for a pair of sunglasses as they crossed the parking lot. “I’m supposed to pick out a Christmas tree this week, but weather like this makes it feel more like spring than December.”
“Definitely a lot warmer than it was last weekend,” he agreed, unlocking his truck door. “Christmas tree shopping, huh? So you aren’t headed back to San Antonio soon?”
She shook her head. “The plan is for me to spend most of December here.” After Chris Miller had turned down the chance to run their Dallas office, choosing instead to resign, she’d been running double duty. “We’re working on an exciting project out of our Dallas location, making the final plans for a sizable wind farm that will create new jobs.”
Her enthusiasm for the project helped her get through the afternoons when pregnancy fatigue tried to sabotage her. “Squaring away the details and handling press coverage will keep me busy for the next week or so. After that, I’m theoretically free to return to San Antonio, but the office is dead the week of Christmas. It makes just as much sense to stay here and spend my holiday with Adele.” Assuming the grown Baron children agreed to meet with their mother. If not, Adele would probably retreat to San Antonio for a bleak yuletide.
Daniel tilted his head, regarding her with curiosity as she fastened her seat belt. “You’re going to spend Christmas with your boss?”
“She’s more than an employer,” Nicole said. “She’s like family.” Was it an insensitive claim, given how much time Adele had missed with her own family? She sighed, hoping that before the day was over she found the words that would help make up for the lost years, the pain Adele had caused her loved ones. “On a scale from one to I-should-just-throw-myself-from-the-truck, how bad do you think this is gonna be?”
His lips quirked in a half smile, but rather than make a glib reassurance, he took the time to think it over. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I’ll do what I can to make it as painless as possible.”
“You are a really nice guy.”
His laugh was short and self-deprecating. “Actually, I’m a cranky loner and recovering troublemaker.” He gave her an appraising look. “Maybe you bring out my better qualities.”
* * *
AS DANIEL MADE the last turn before they reached Roughneck property, Nicole was surprising him with the revelation that not only did she own boots and jeans, she’d once mucked stalls.
“One of the foster homes I lived on was a tiny farm—some vegetable crops, two horses and a chicken coop. All of us kids had chores. I can’t say I much cared for cleaning out the stalls, but I did enjoy riding Grey. Of the two mares, she was the one deemed more suitable for beginners. She didn’t go very fast, but she was sweet.”
“Do you still ride?” he asked, wondering if a visit to the stables was in order this afternoon.
She gave a quick shake of her head, her ponytail swinging lightly behind her. He liked it better when she wore her hair down. With nothing to detract from her face, it was too easy to get distracted by her eyes. Or her lips. “Not for years.”
“I’d be happy to give you a refresher,” he volunteered. “We’ve got a range of horses at the ranch, including some with gentle temperaments.”
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