“You’re a girl, aren’t you?” He grinned to let her know he was joking.
She gave a mock-growl. “That’s very sexist. Just because I’m a girl, doesn’t mean I like shopping.”
“You’re quite right. I do apologize.” He placed his hand on his heart, with a sad sigh.
“Do they have a gift registry?” she asked.
“No, they said no gifts.”
“Umm.” She didn’t know how to point out the obvious.
“I know they said no gifts, but I want to get them something. Even something small. Clint has been good to me over the years. He hired me on when I had very little experience, taught me everything he knows and now he trusts me to manage his ranch.”
She loved the hint of vulnerability in his gaze. Linc wasn’t a man who was afraid of showing his emotions. Of admitting when he was wrong. Or doing something silly to make her laugh, like strutting his stuff along the street.
“Hmm, that’s a tough one.”
A waitress came along, looking slightly harried. “Sorry. We’re a waitress down today. What can I get you to drink?”
“I’ll take a sweet tea,” Linc said, looking at her expectantly.
“The same please.” She nearly winced. Drat. She didn’t know why she said that. She hated tea.
The waitress nodded and headed away. Linc passed her a menu. “I already know what I want,” he told her a bit sheepishly.
“Eat here often?” she teased. She could hardly believe that she was sitting here, eating lunch with a gorgeous man. And that she dared to tease him. This was the closest she’d ever gotten to a date. She thought she’d be shy and jittery.
But Linc was different. There was something about him that put her at ease.
“Well, whenever I get into town, I do. They make the best burgers here, though.”
“Ooh. That sounds nice.”
“Good, two hamburgers with fries it is then, please, Sally,” he said to the waitress as she brought their drinks back.
“Oh, but . . .” she said as the waitress left. She’d been going to see what was cheapest on the menu. She didn’t want to take advantage of his generosity.
“Sorry. You didn’t want the burger.” He winced. “I jumped the gun. I’ll call her back.”
“No, no.” She didn’t want to make a fuss. Especially not when the diner was so busy. “That’s fine. I just need to go to the bathroom first.”
“Of course.” He slid out then held his hand towards her. She reached up to grab his hand, realizing too late that her sleeve had ridden up.
He froze as he stared at her wrist. Then his gaze met hers. “What is this?”
5
Linc stared down at the bandage. Had she had that last night? He thought back. He hadn’t noticed it, but it could have been easy to miss in the dark.
“Marisol,” he said in a deep, commanding voice that had her staring at him in shock. This was the firmest he’d been with her, so her surprise was understandable.
“Oh that,” she said with a nervous laugh. He could already tell that she was going to lie and it made him grind his teeth in anger and frustration. “It’s nothing. I was dealing with hot wax at work and burned myself.”
“Can I see the burn?”
“Oh no. It’s fine. I put cream on it.” She couldn’t meet his gaze as she spoke. “Could I get up now?”
He nodded, unable to answer her without demanding the truth. As she disappeared into the bathroom, he slid into the booth and tried to decide what path he wanted to take.