His Outback Cowgirl (Wildflower Ranch Book 4) (6 page)

T
he doorbell of Paradise Books tinkled as Bridie and five-year-old Finn entered the Marietta bookstore. Bridie breathed in the smell of new books that always made her happy. She might find it hard to sit still but when it came to reading she could stay in a single spot for hours. Some of her earliest memories were of being tucked into her warm bed and having her mother read to her. It seemed her brother had passed on such a gift to his son, especially when it came to books on insects.

Finn tugged at her hand and dragged her toward a table on which bright picture books were displayed.

“Afternoon, Lesley,” she said to the bookstore owner as Finn towed her past the counter behind which Lesley sat reading.

Lesley looked over the top of her glasses and smiled. “It looks like you’re on a mission, Finn Nash?”

“I am.”

Lesley’s smile widened and Bridie shared her pleasure. Finn had used his words to answer instead of a nod. Zane and Trinity were working hard to encourage shy and anxious Finn to talk more.

“Look, Dee, here’s a bug book.”

Bridie’s heart warmed at the pet name her adorable nephew had given her. She’d grown up as an only child and still couldn’t believe she was now part of a bigger family. It had always been her wish to one day have a large family of her own. “It sure is, and it’s a book about ants. I don’t think you have one of these in your collection?”

“I think you’re right.” Lesley came to stand beside them, her grey curls in their usual lopsided topknot. “You must have a book on almost every bug there is by now?”

Bridie grinned. “And I think we’ve read almost every one together haven’t we, Finn?”

“Yep.” He let go of Bridie’s hand to reach for the ant book. He turned it over to look at the picture on the back cover, before holding it up for Bridie to see. “You could take a picture of my ant farm to go in our book?”

“That’s a good idea.” She glanced at Lesley. “I’ve been taking photographs of bugs and Finn and I are putting them into our own book.”

Lesley’s hazel eyes sparkled behind the thick lenses of her glasses. “Yes, I heard you enjoyed taking pictures. I also heard you’re going into the mountains with Ethan to photograph the wildlife.”

Bridie shifted on her feet. It seemed it didn’t matter if she was in a rural outback town or a Montana mountain community, the grapevine worked just as efficiently.

“Yes, you heard right. I’m hoping we’ll leave tomorrow. I’m just waiting for Ethan to let me know when we’re good to go.”

“Well, the weather should be clear for the next few days.” Lesley’s smile dimmed. She glanced at Finn who was already up to page three in his book. “I know your mom says you can look after yourself but ... be careful. I’ve had two customers in the past two weeks mention ... poachers.”

Finn’s head suddenly lifted, his blue eyes round. Bridie ruffled his dark hair. “It’s okay. Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

“You will be with Ethan around,” Lesley said softly, turning away so Finn wouldn’t hear her. “Ethan might look mild-mannered but those Taylor boys won’t ever rustle another Paradise Valley cow thanks to him and Cordell.”

“Really? What did he ... they do?”

Ever since Ethan had surprised her the other day by lifting her onto the mudroom bench, she’d done her best to not think about him, and she shouldn’t now be curious. It wasn’t her finest moment staring at him like a kangaroo blinded by truck lights. So what if his strong hands were warm through her damp shirt and he smelled so good, like the pine trees after the downpour. So what if his lashes were long and dark and he had the most incredible sexy mouth; she hadn’t come to Marietta to lose her heart.

Behind her the doorbell tinkled.

Lesley’s lips curved. “Why don’t you ask Ethan yourself?”

Bridie swung around, her stomach lurching as though she was about to free-fall on a fair ride.

Ethan’s eyes smiled as they searched hers. “Ask me what?”

Ethan was dressed in Wranglers, a neat blue shirt and scuff-free boots and not a dark-blond hair was out of place. But the tightness to his jaw and the deep grooves beside his mouth reminded her there was far more to Ethan than his steady exterior.

Bridie glanced at Finn who looked between her and Ethan, concern pinching his small face. Finn worried about bugs being squished, let alone about animals being poached or rustled.

“Nothing important,” she said, holding Ethan’s gaze, hoping he’d understand her unspoken message; she’d revisit her question when Finn wasn’t around. “I can ask you later.”

Ethan gave her a small nod and she knew he’d understood.

He held out a fist to the five-year-old. “Hey, buddy.”

Finn bumped his tiny fist against Ethan’s. “Hey.”

Ethan dipped his head toward Lesley. “I know I’ve already been in once for Henry’s crossword puzzle books but I saw Zane’s pickup outside and wanted to see Bridie about tomorrow.”

Bridie banished the flare of warmth in her cheeks. It meant nothing that Ethan had sought her out instead of using his cell to contact her.

Lesley chuckled. “Actually, it’s just as well you’re in again today because I found that book, Journeys of a Lifetime, I told you about that Henry might like. I’ll go and get it.”

Lesley bustled away.

Beside Bridie, Finn stood silent, the ant book pressed against his chest and his attention on Ethan. Curiosity brightened his blue eyes. A quick discussion with Ethan of what they’d need for their trip wasn’t going to happen. He proved as interesting to a bashful boy as much as he did to a fidgety cowgirl. It would also do Finn’s confidence good to have another person to talk to, a quiet and considered adult who’d listen to him.

“Finn and I are off for ice creams, and then the park, if you wanted to join us? We could work out what we need for our days away then?”

“Thanks. I’d like that.”

Ethan smiled at Lesley as she returned with a large book sporting a glossy and scenic Mediterranean cover.

“Is Henry planning a trip?” Lesley asked handing Ethan the book.

“If he is, he hasn’t told me. Now he has a new hip and is driving his truck again, I have a feeling there’ll be no stopping him.”

Lesley grinned. “Look out, world.”

Bridie followed Finn as he walked around the picture book display looking for other bug books. After not finding any more they headed to the counter to pay for the ant book. Ethan too paid for Henry’s book and as Lesley slipped it into a large bag, Ethan glanced at Bridie.

“Which park are you going to?”

“Community Park. Finn likes the play equipment there, especially the climbing spinner.”

“Community Park is at the other end of Main Street to the ice cream store. I have to head to the bank so how about I get the ice creams and you and Finn can then have more time in the park?”

Bridie glanced at Finn. His smile widened at having more time to spend playing.

“Sounds like a good plan. Finn, would you like cookies n’ cream ice cream again?”

He nodded.

“Cookies n’ cream it is,” Ethan said, looking at her. His irises were such a brilliant and intense blue it took all her effort to not glance away. She couldn’t have him know that seeing him again made her pulse beat faster. “And what flavor for you?”

She shrugged. “Surprise me.”

For an instant something hot and dark flared in his gaze and then it was gone. “Will do.”

B
ridie released a deep breath as she parked outside Community Park. Out on Highway 89 she had no trouble remembering what side of the road to drive on, but in downtown Marietta where there was both traffic and turns to make, she was yet to feel comfortable.

Finn bolted out of the pickup and waited on the sidewalk for her to join him. Hands linked they entered the busy playground. The popular climbing spinner already had three laughing boys clinging to the webbing, so Bridie and Finn headed for the swings.

Side-by-side, they soared into the summer sky, the breeze catching in their hair. In front of them, Copper Mountain towered over the Marietta streetscape. The sun-gilded peak called for them to reach higher and higher. Finn’s little legs stretched in and out to make himself go faster. Bridie divided her attention between making sure Finn remained safe and on scouting the road for the silver truck Ethan drove. The increasing flutter in her midriff had nothing to do with the motion of the swing.

Seeing Ethan again had left her unsettled and she couldn’t pinpoint why. She’d had relationships in the past, even one she’d labeled as serious, but she’d never once felt ... derailed. When she was around Ethan, she was hyperaware of his smile, his every micro-expression and just how gorgeous he was. She only hoped her awareness of him would decrease once she released the pressure valve on her emotions. So until then she had to conceal the effect he had on her. She had to appear as though she were coping with the loss of her father. Any blushes, vacant stares and shallow breaths were not signs she had herself under control.

Ethan’s truck swung into the parking lot. As he left the driver’s side he waved to another cowboy who approached with a smile. Bridie slowed her swing to a stop, helped Finn out of his and walked over to a nearby empty picnic table. Ethan soon headed over to them.

“How does toffee sound?” He passed her a cone topped with a generous serving of toffee-streaked ice cream.

“Perfect. Thanks.”

She didn’t need to look at the cone he held in his other hand, and that would be his, to know he’d choose a safe and plain vanilla flavor.

Finn settled himself onto the table seat and Ethan handed him his cookies n’ cream cone.

“Thanks, Ethan”

Ethan sat beside him. “Anytime, buddy.”

They ate their ice cream and watched the children play on the pirate ship-themed equipment, their voices loud and cheeks flushed with the joy of childhood.

Bridie finished her cone and when she glanced across at Ethan she realized he now watched her and not the playing children.

Their gazes locked.

“So what do I need to bring for our trip?” she asked, hating that her voice emerged breathless.

“Not much. I spoke to Zane earlier, that’s how I knew you and Finn were in town, and he’s got most of what you’ll need. I just need to know if you’re allergic to anything and what type of things you like to eat.”

Beside Ethan, Finn crunched loudly on his cone.

“How’s your ice cream?” Ethan asked, smiling.

“Good.”

“And almost gone,” Bridie added with a grin. She looked at Ethan again. “I’m allergic to bee stings and maybe wasps but will have an EpiPen filled with epinephrine. As for food, I eat anything but peanut butter.”

Ethan raised a brow. “No peanut butter? Finn, did you hear that? Bridie doesn’t like peanut butter.”

Finn grinned through his last mouthful of ice cream.

“That’s right,” she said, “I’m an Aussie, remember. I eat vegemite.” She smiled sweetly at Ethan. “You should try some.”

“No, don’t.” Finn quickly shook his dark head and came to his feet. “It’s horrible.”

Bridie laughed and lifted her legs over the picnic table bench to also stand. “Let me guess it was Bug and not you who ate that whole plate of vegemite crackers?”

E
than followed Bridie and Finn over to what he assumed to be the famous climbing spinner. Sunlight shone on their identical shades of dark hair. While Finn’s eyes were a true blue, and Bridie’s a blue-grey, their high cheekbones also marked them as nephew and aunt.

Ethan glanced skyward as swallows swooped and dipped close by. It might be the ice cream giving him a sugar-high but the sky appeared extra bright, the summer breeze extra sweet and Bridie, well, she just looked extra beautiful.

His gaze clung to her slender back as her ponytail swung across her shoulders as she walked. He’d forgotten the warmth of her quick smile and how much he enjoyed the Australian cadence of her voice. She wore jeans and boots again but instead of a Western shirt she wore a fitted white tank top. Her winter-pale skin was now lightly tanned and with her hair pulled back she would have passed for any Marietta local.

She held the spinner still while Finn clambered on and then she joined him. They scaled the rope web, laughing as they climbed.