Page 60 of Hometown Cowboy

“I should’ve known better than to ask. You’re always up for a feed.”

An answering grin widened his own mouth. Gabe was right. He wasn’t stupid. He wasn’t passing up a chance to be fed some Jameson cooking, or being fussed over by Mary.

The smile faded a little. Or having the chance to be near Darby. He would make her see she could trust him, even if his memory was like an Etch A Sketch.

If she could trust him to stick around, then maybe she would let down her defences.

Every time he thought of her his chest ached, actuallyached. Sure, he’d seen her on and off since he’d been out of hospital, but not like it was before.

The easy familiarity had disappeared. She was more… guarded. It was like she didn’t know how to behave around him, as if he’d changed.

He didn’t think he had.

He frowned. Maybe he had? Hell, he wouldn’t know if he had.

“Stop it,” he muttered.

He pulled into the Jameson’s driveway behind Gabe. Darby’s little hybrid sedan was parked in its usual place, under the old camphor laurel tree, just like he’d hoped. He breathed deep to cover the sudden flock of butterflies swarming his belly.

A chorus ofhelloreached his ears as he entered the kitchen.

He loved this family. Had done all his life. They were everything to him.

“No Julie today, Ryan?” Mary asked as she looked up from making herself a cup of tea.

Ryan bit down his frustration and hurt. He forced himself to remain neutral.

“Not today.”

Mary nodded. “Maybe next time, eh?” she said. The same statement she’d said since he’d fought with his mother all those weeks ago. Mary sent him a quick smile and handed him a bowl of salad. “Make yourself useful, dear.”

He bit back a smile. Trust Mrs Jameson to keep it real.

He’d turned around to head outside when the back door opened, and he found himself face to face with Darby.

He faltered, then sent her a huge smile. “Darb,” he said, nodding at her.

She stepped to the side as he passed, looking surprised. “Ryan.”

He could feel her eyes on his back as he took the food outside and placed it on the large table. He longed to walk up to her and plant one on her luscious mouth, but at the moment she would probably sit him on his arse. It was better to be out here with Max, who crouched down not far from him, fiddling with the gas regulator on the barbecue.

“Having a bit of trouble there?”

Max glanced over his shoulder. “Nah. Just a bit of coaxing and it’ll be right.”

Ryan sat on one of the comfy sling-back outdoor chairs and leaned back. He still had to be careful how he did certain things. One wrong move and sometimes things twinged and pinched, catching his breath.

Darby, he’d work on. If he was more attentive and focused on showing her he cared, they might be able to reach an understanding. One that they’d both be happy with. Because he did care, more than he’d ever thought possible. She meant the world to him. He just needed to let her know that.

He let a smile tilt his mouth.Coaxing. Yes, that’s what he had to do.

*

Darby gasped anddropped her knife. She flicked her fingers and shoved her forefinger between her lips and sucked. A chuckle had her looking at her twin.

“What?”

Gabe’s grin said it all. “Stop ogling and pay attention to what you’re doing.”