Читать книгу Falling for the Sheriff - Tanya Michaels, Tanya Michaels - Страница 13

Chapter Four

Kate blinked at Cole’s unexpected—and vaguely unsettling—declaration. “How radical are we talking?”

“I’ll explain when we have more time.” He flashed her the same endearingly boyish smile she’d glimpsed when his daughter had ratted him out for occasional use of the H word. “For now, do you trust me enough to follow my lead?”

He was using trust in a casual, conversational sense. Still, trust was a special bond, earned over time. An intimate connection. Errant longing rippled through her.

What is wrong with me today? Her emotional responses were all over the map. From the way she’d nearly bolted when he’d touched her earlier to—

“Katie? Everything all right?” Joan called with a frown. Everyone was seated, and it was obvious they were waiting on the two stragglers.

“Sorry, Gram. We’ll be right there.” Giving Cole a barely perceptible nod to signal that she’d take her cues from him—and hoping she wouldn’t regret it—she strode toward the table.

“Now that we’re all here,” Joan said, “we can bless the food. Harvey, would you do the honors?”

The kids already had plates piled high. Once grace was finished, they dug in as the adults served themselves.

Mrs. Trent smiled in Kate’s direction. “Alyssa tells me your son is quite the artist.”

Alyssa nodded happily. “They don’t have horses here, but he knows how to draw one real good.”

“Do you like horses?” Mrs. Ross asked Luke. She wasn’t deterred by his noncommittal shrug. “Maybe you and your mom can come over sometime and go riding at our ranch. Then you can meet my daughter Vicki, who’s home from college for the summer, and of course, Jarrett.” This last was aimed at Kate.

Kate grimaced. Couldn’t she at least have a moment to savor her grandmother’s award-winning potato salad before the matchmaking brigade started in on her again? Some things were sacred.

Gram must have seen her reaction because she was quick to offer an alternative to Jarrett Ross. “You know who else has a nice stable of horses?”

Kate bit the inside of her cheek, desperately hoping that wasn’t some kind of euphemism.

“Brody Davenport. He—”

“Ah, but Brody’s so busy these days,” Cole interrupted. “With Jasmine Tucker.”

“Crystal’s younger sister?” Kate asked.

“That’s right. I forgot Jasmine moved back to town,” Gram said, looking disgruntled.

“She was in New York for a while,” Mrs. Ross said. “Modeling. Doesn’t that sound glamorous? But she’s back now and owns the most fashionable boutique in Cupid’s Bow. Well...technically the only boutique.”

“I should take you by there this week,” Gram told Kate. “I’m going to town Tuesday afternoon for a festival meeting. You can come with me, maybe get involved with one of the committees. It’s a great way to meet folks.”