“You’d retire and give up ranch work?”
“Nah, you’re right. I’d hang onto that. Nothing like the scent of fresh horse poop in the morning. Starts the day off right, y’know?”
“You can’t fool me. You love your job.”
He nodded. “Very much.”
“I assume you’ve heard about CJ’s crazy idea of moving to Seattle.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“It’s ridiculous, right?”
“Doesn’t matter if I think so. It’s CJ’s life. He knows what he needs better’n me.”
“Then again, maybe he’s given up on the idea.”
“Oh?”
“He asked me to join you guys for an evening at the Moose, so I assumed he’d pick me up. Instead, Matt turned out to be my ride. Then we get here, and CJ hasn’t said more than five words to me since we walked through the door.”
“He hasn’t been rude, has he?”
“Not at all. Very polite. Nice smile. I just expected… more contact with him, I suppose.”
“Well, I do have some inside info on that.”
“Can I pry it out of you?”
“No prying necessary. He told me he’s giving you some space. He said I was free to tell you that if you asked.”
“Space for what?”
“Whatever folks need space for. I never understood that concept.”
That made her laugh. “Technically I need space because I’m expanding by the minute, but I doubt that’s what CJ—”
“Seriously?” His gaze dropped briefly to her stomach. Then he looked up, clearly fascinated by the concept. “By the minute?”
“By the second, in fact, or the millisecond. The baby is growing at a steady pace.”
“Makes sense, but I never thought of it that way. While we’re sitting here waiting for fries and nachos, your baby is growing.”
“It’s mind-blowing, right?”
“Yes, ma’am. I thought only two of us were in this booth, but turns out there’s one more.”
“And because of that third person, I’ll pick the chili peppers off because they might be too much for the little tyke.”
“I should have thought of that and told them no peppers. I’ll take them off for you. I love ’em.”
“I’ve heard about your legendary fondness for all things edible. Is there anything you don’t like?”
“Anchovies.”
“But they’re delicious!”
“I suppose you eat them in Seattle.”
“I do.”
“Because you’re all about seafood and such?”
“Absolutely. I love all kinds.”
“I wonder if CJ’s thought about that.”
“He doesn’t like it?”
“I’m sure canned tuna’s fine with him, and we’ve had baked salmon a few times since Garrett started handling the cooking. Jake never fixed it.” He shrugged. “For all I know, he’ll discover he likes seafood. I just wonder if he’s considered that angle.”
“What angle?” CJ slipped into the horseshoe-shaped booth, but on the opposite end, putting him about as far from her as he could get and still be at the same table.
“Folks eat a lot of anchovies in Seattle,” Nick said. “Isabel loves them.”
“I didn’t know that.” His gray eyes twinkled as he glanced at her. “Plain or with other stuff?”
“Either.” She held his gaze. He looked extremely handsome tonight. The pearl-gray shirt might be new. She’d never seen him wearing it. “I can eat them right out of the jar.”
He didn’t flinch. “I’ll have to try that sometime.”
“You won’t like them, especially plain,” Nick said. “You couldn’t handle those sardines Leo brought from Great Falls that time. Anchovies are even—”
“That was at least five years ago.” He continued to focus on her, his expression calm, his smile friendly. “I’ve matured. My palate has matured. Anyway, I just came by to see if you need anything, Iz.”
“I’m good, thanks. Nick’s ordered a basket of fries and a plate of nachos.”
“Yeah, bro,” Nick gestured toward the server coming their way. “Feel free to stick around and have some. Get yourself a cider. I thought Isabel needed a break.”
He nodded. “Good idea. Enjoy.” He stood. “Appreciate the invite, but I just remembered I promised Henri I’d dance this number with her. I’ll check back later.” Touching two fingers to the brim of his hat, he made eye contact one last time before walking away.
She didn’t want him to go. She wanted him to promise a dance to her, too. Her neediness was damned embarrassing.
His loose-hipped stride took him over to the table occupied by Henri and her five best friends. He offered his hand to Henri, led her to the dance floor and whirled her into a lively two step. They danced well together.
Her throat tightened. After the way they’d parted the night before, she couldn’t fault him for distancing himself. But she didn’t have to like it.
“You really care about him.”
She turned back to Nick. His knowing expression left her no room to maneuver. “I really do. Which is why I’m against this move to Seattle.”
“To be honest, I didn’t think he’d take to being a father this quick or be so determined to be fully involved.”
“I didn’t either. But when you get right down to it, I don’t know him all that well.”
“I thought I did. Then again, I’ve never seen him faced with something like this before.” He gestured to the nachos. “While you were watching him, I took off all the peppers and ate ’em.”
She glanced at the plate and laughed. “You and I are a pair, Nick. Odds are we can hoover up food better than anybody in this joint.”
He grinned back at her. “I’m glad to finally meet someone who’s as food-driven as I am.”
“You need to hang out with more pregnant ladies.” She started in on the nachos.
She and Nick had finished those and the basket of fries when Leo came to claim another waltz. And the rotation continued as before.
When Jake invited her out on the floor, the song was an easy two-step that allowed for conversation. “Did you guys plan this dancing-with-Isabel thing in advance?”
“Yes.”
“Jake! Now I feel like a charity case.”
“The exact opposite. You’re a favorite. We had to divvy you up fairly so we wouldn’t squabble in front of you.”
“Come on, Jake.”
“It’s true. You’re fun to dance with. None of us wanted
