She’d looked at him, then at his mouth, as if she’d wanted to be kissed. Had it just been fear? Had she been grateful he’d come on the scene in the parking lot when he had?
April was a beautiful woman with sass and spunk.
And she was engaged to be married.
He’d remembered the chubby little girl she’d been, and when he’d met her again in Houston after he’d guest hosted the rodeo, her curvy body and pretty blue eyes had drawn him in.
“Risk, you’re deep in thought this morning.” Aunt Lottie poured him a cup of coffee and set the mug down on the kitchen table in front of him. Ever since his aunt had returned to Rising Springs Ranch, she’d doted on him and his two brothers, Mason and Lucas. Having an adventurous spirit, Aunt Lottie had been a world traveler always ping-ponging in and out of their lives, but after the death of their parents, she’d taken a more vital role with the family. And now was like a mother to him and his brothers.
Risk brought the mug to his mouth and sipped. “No one would ever call me a deep thinker.”
Lottie took the chair adjacent to him, bringing her coffee to her lips and shaking her head. “You’re a fine thinker, boy.” Aunt Lottie was the first to come to a Boone’s defense, unless of course they deserved a tongue-lashing, and then she’d be the first one to give it. “But something’s bothering you. Your aunt knows you boys all too well.”
“Nothing’s bothering me, really. I’m just baffled about something.”
About April. He’d been drawn to her the other night, the same way he’d been drawn to her in Houston. And that was precisely why he hadn’t looked her up again. Why he hadn’t pursued her after that night. It had been selfish of him, but he hadn’t been in any shape to deal with a woman who wasn’t a one-night-stand kind of girl. She’d been smart and sincere and compassionate. Once he figured that out, he’d run like hell. Not his finest moment.
“Care to tell me her name?” Aunt Lottie asked.
“Ha, nice try, Aunt Lottie. But it’s all good.” He winked and gave her his best smile.
“How’s Drew doing these days?” he asked.
His aunt had an on-again, off-again relationship with Mason’s future father-in-law, Drew MacDonald. It seemed the two of them never could get on the same page.
“I wouldn’t know. He’s barely talking to me.”
“Oh yeah? Lovers’ spat?”
Drew lived in the cottage on the Boone property. He was a recovering alcoholic, a good man who’d lost his wife some years ago. Maria had been Lottie’s best friend, and now the two were playing a cat and mouse game of hearts.
“Hardly. We’re barely friends anymore, Risk.”
“Well, why don’t you take some of those warm cranberry muffins you just baked and bring them to him as a peace offering?”
Aunt Lottie’s blond brows lifted, and her eyes sparkled. She was a pretty sixtysomething woman who had a lot of love to give, and right now she was considering his suggestion. “You know, that’s not a bad idea. And while I’m at it, I’ll pack you a basket of muffins and some things for your trip.”
“Thanks. It’s a long drive out to Canyon Lake Lodge.”
“Just give me a moment,” his aunt said.
Minutes later, after finishing up his breakfast, he heard the front doorbell chime and the housekeeper answer it. He rose, taking the basket Aunt Lottie had made up, and walked out of the kitchen to the parlor where April Adams was waiting for him holding a brown briefcase. Those curly blond locks of hers flowed past her shoulders, and even the tan winter coat she wore over a pair of pants and a sweater couldn’t hide her curvy body.
“Mornin’, April. You’re right on time,” he said, coming into the room.
“I always try to be.” She hoisted her chin up.
“I’ll be right with you,” he said.
He grabbed his sheepskin jacket, the one he’d lent April the other night, and showed her to the multicar garage attached to the house.
In the garage, he opened the passenger side door to his full-size SUV. He’d insisted he drive his car, and she was clearly not happy about it. April shot him a look and then climbed in. He waited while she buckled herself in and then handed her the basket.
“What’s this?”
“My aunt Lottie made us a care package for the road.”
“That’s...very sweet of her.”
“The Boones are nice people,” he said.
Her eyes started to roll, and then she seemed to catch herself. Risk almost laughed out loud when her expression changed to an innocent smile. The trouble was he liked April Adams. Too damn much.
Risk started the engine and pulled out of the garage. There were gray skies overhead, and a light drizzle cascaded down from the clouds.
With any luck, they’d drive right out of the rain to better weather up ahead.
* * *
The rain came down steadily now, giving the windshield wipers a good workout. Of course, the weather had to be gloomy; it would make it that much harder for April to show off the grounds in a good light to Risk. But she didn’t want to turn back. She couldn’t trust that she’d get Risk back out to Canyon Lake Lodge any time soon.
She stared out the window, trying to think of ways to enhance her sales pitch. The lodge had been listed with her agency for five months, and she only had the listing for one more month. That gave her only weeks to find a buyer. The Boones’ inquiry about the property had been the only real bite she’d gotten in all that time. She had to make this work, somehow. Risk hadn’t been overly impressed with the photos of the lodge, and that parking lot kiss had only put a strain on their professional relationship.
“Cold?” he asked.
“A little.”
He fiddled with a dashboard dial, and soon a flow of warm heat pushed out of the floor vents.
“Better?”
She nodded. “Yes, thank you. As long as it’s not too hot for you?”
He gave her a sideways glance. “I’ll let you know if it gets too hot.”
Was that an innocent comment? She never knew with Risk. But she had to give him the benefit of the doubt, since he’d been put in his place the other night after she’d told him she was engaged.
Thank you again, Jenna Mae.
They drove a few more miles in silence, and then Risk gestured to the basket. “Since Aunt Lottie packed us up some food, why don’t we have a muffin?”
“Sounds like a good idea.” She lifted the basket onto her lap and then folded back the lid. “Oh wow. Your aunt Lottie sure knows
