Colton whipped out his cell phone to see if he’d missed Evan’s call. When he didn’t see a message, he grew more concerned. Truth was, Evan had been very depressed lately, and the last few days, he really looked down. The concern was eating at Colton and he decided to let Everett finish up the mending while he headed closer toward the ranch to get a better signal. He hoped that Evan was okay.
* * * *
Evan had the truck packed up with the supplies he and Colton needed as he headed down the road through town. As he was passing the park, he immediately noticed the platinum blonde wearing a black sundress and heels. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her as he slowed down, pulled into a parking spot, and watched her from the distance. It was that Dixie Chix from the other night. He felt his chest tighten when she collapsed onto the bench and covered her face with her hands. Was she crying? he wondered and he was surprised at how he reacted.
He was feeling pretty depressed lately. He knew that Colton was worried, but then Colton wasn’t a happy guy these days, either. He was downright mean and bossy most of the time, unable to leave his commander role from the military days out of his personality.
Evan thought about his own life and the loss of his baby. It didn’t matter what Colton said about Chelsea cheating and that the baby wasn’t even Evan’s. Evan had been willing to care for Chelsea and take responsibility for that child. He knew firsthand what it was like to n
ot have a dad around. He wouldn’t wish that on any kid, never mind a baby. But she was gone and so was the baby, so it really didn’t matter.
He was going to drive away and ignore the pull to go check on the blonde. She had looked so classy and sophisticated the other night, and even today, she was dressed nicely. She was younger than him and Colton by at least eight years, so why was he getting out of his truck to go see her? He hadn’t a clue as he got out and looked around. He spotted the Delite Café and Diner and thought that maybe bringing over one of those fancy coffees most sophisticated women liked to drink might be the perfect icebreaker.
Five minutes later and he was carrying two paper cups with him as he slowly approached. He ignored the feeling of dislike for the latte beverage as the aroma filled his nostrils. He was a black coffee drinker. Plain and simple, a cowboy’s cup of wake-up in the morning. The closer he got, the tighter his chest felt, and damn it, his hands were shaking.
He was mere feet from her when he heard her sniffle then wipe her eyes with a tissue.
“Excuse me, miss.” She didn’t quite turn toward him. She was probably trying to hide her tears. He noticed her shoulders stiffened and her posture changed.
“The lady in the café made this extra cup of coffee. It’s some latte something or other and I’m just a plain ‘black with a little sugar’ type of guy. I saw you sitting here and thought you might like it.”
She wiped her eyes again then turned to look up at him.
He nearly dropped the small carrier. She was stunning, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life, and despite her red eyes and slightly red nose, she looked like an angel.
His expression changed instantly as her olive-green eyes widened and then looked at the tray.
“I think we met the other night at Dixie Chix. I’m a friend of Chad and Michael’s.”
“Yes, I remember you,” was all she said as she stared at him and then the coffee.
He stepped closer and moved toward the front of the bench. Her long, gorgeous legs remained crossed, and the heels she wore were missing the fronts which showed off her painted red toes. She even wore a gold ankle bracelet on her right ankle.
They stared at one another, and then she shyly lowered her eyes. He was struck by her everything. He didn’t know what drew him to her more. Was it her gorgeous olive-green eyes, that platinum-blonde hair that flowed down her back, or was it her classiness and femininity? Many of the other young women her age were walking around wearing short skirts or very short shorts, showing off their bodies. This woman was conservative and lovely.
“Is that hazelnut I smell?” she asked, and he snapped out of his stare, embarrassed by his behavior.
He couldn’t help but wonder what she had been crying about. He hoped it wasn’t over a man or someone breaking her heart. A very jealous and possessive feeling encroached upon his shell against feeling emotions. A woman like her would surely divide and conquer the walls he had built up over his heart. He swallowed hard and nodded his head like some mute as he handed her the coffee cup. She held it between dainty hands, her red nails matching her toes as she inhaled near the cover of the cup.
“Oh, this smells fantastic. That was very nice of you to share with me.”
He took a seat next to her.
“No problem. I was just getting some supplies for the ranch. My brother Colton and I have been working on it since we moved back here two months ago.”
“Your brother? He’s the big guy with the dark crew-cut hair from the other night, and what did you say your name was?”
“Oh God, I’m sorry, my name is Evan Banks.” He reached his hand out toward hers as she smiled, revealing perfect white teeth.
“Ava,” she whispered as their hands touched. Hot damn. He felt an instant attraction, and by the look on her face and the way her cheeks turned pink, she felt it, too.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as he stared at her. She pulled her hand from his and lowered it to her lap then took a sip of the coffee.
He shook his head. He was acting like a teenager with a crush instead of a thirty-three-year-old man.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you or to blurt that out. You probably think I’m lame.”
She looked up at him and smiled.