“Now that you know all there is to know about Ariana, we’ll be heading back to Austin,” Dillon held out his hand to Ariana. “Ready?”
She laid her hand in his and let him draw her to her feet.
He circled his arm around her waist, wanting to protect her from his brothers’ annoying questions.
Ace nodded toward the cat. “I think you’ve found a friend in I-Lean.”
Ariana smiled. “She’s beautiful. I hope Ruger doesn’t hurt her.”
“Don’t worry about I-Lean. She’s scrappy. She lets Ruger chase her,” Ace said. “When she’s had enough, she stands her ground, and he backs off.”
“I’m glad she has that ability. When you’re smaller, you learn to use your strengths to stand up for yourself.” She looked Colton square in the eye. “I’m short, but, like I-Lean, I’m scrappy. I know you’re only looking out for the best interests of your brother, so I don’t take offense to your questions. You want to know more about me in case your brother and I decide to go out again.”
She lifted her chin. “I’m five-feet-two-inches, my hair really is red, it’s not out of a bottle, and I like cats and dogs and children. I hope to have some of each someday. Until then, I’m happy teaching meditation techniques to stressed out corporate executives, stay-at-home housewives and soldiers with PTSD. I also teach yoga, which might not impress you, but it’s another way I learned to get my balance back after the loss of my husband to cancer.”
Ariana faced Ace. “Thank you for a lovely dinner and good company. If you have any more questions for me, Emma has my number. Give me a call. I’m an open book. I believe in being honest.” She looked up at Dillon. “I’m ready.”
Dillon grinned, hooked her arm and led her down the stairs. When he reached the bottom, he looked over his shoulder at his brothers, who were all watching Ariana as she walked toward his pickup. They didn’t have to say anything. They had the look on their faces that said they’d been schooled, and they were impressed.
“Leaving already?” Emma asked as she came out onto the porch.
“Need to get Ariana back to her vehicle before they tow it out of the coffee house parking lot,” Dillon said.
“That’s a shame,” Emma said. “If you stay just a few more minutes, you can watch the sunset. It’s pretty amazing out here.”
“I’ll bring her out another time for the sunset,” Dillon said.
“Thanks for cooking. Dinner was great,” Ariana said.
“Thank you. We’re glad you stayed.” Emma smiled. “Will we see you back tonight, Dillon?”
He shook his head. “I’ll stay in Austin tonight at the condo.” Dillon opened the door for Ariana, gripped her around her waist and lifted her up into the cab.
She smiled down at him. “You make that look easy.”
“It is.”
“Well, thank you.” She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead, careful not to touch the bruise from the boat flipping. “I’m sorry I flipped the boat.”
“I’m not. We got to spend a few short minutes alone together.” He moved around the truck and climbed behind the steering wheel.
“But you nearly drowned,” she said, continuing their conversation.
“It was worth it to me.” He gave her a crooked grin. Once they passed through the ranch gate and turned onto the highway, he frowned. “No brothers around to annoy the hell out of us.”
“Your brothers and sister care about you,” she said softly. “You’re lucky to have them.”
He looked her direction again. “That’s right, you didn’t have any siblings.”
“No. I always wanted brothers and sisters.” She stared out the window. “And when I do have children, I won’t have just one. Children need siblings.”
He nodded. “I have to agree. I can’t imagine a life growing up without all of mine. We were never bored. Still, there are times I like my space.”
She laughed. “I’ll remember to flip a boat again when you want to be alone.”
“With you,” he added. “How about tomorrow?”
Her brow dipped. “What about tomorrow? You want me to flip a boat again?”
“No, but I figure we only have a day, maybe not even that long, until Leslie fixes BODS, and we have to meet our perfect match. How would you like to buck the system and go out with me again? I promise to take you to something more in line with what you like to do.”
“I loved going fishing,” she said. “I didn’t even mind going swimming, once I knew you were okay.”
“Yeah, but I want to do something you’re familiar with, so you’re not put into an uncomfortable position.”
Her brow twisted. “I have a yoga class tomorrow in the morning, but the rest of the afternoon is free.”
“Yoga?” He grimaced. “Do you have room for another student?”
She laughed. “I do, but are you sure you want to join the class? It’s all older women. We take it really slow and easy.”
“I get along really well with older women. My mother was an older woman.” His smile faded. “I don’t have to wear yoga pants or a leotard, or anything like that, do I?”
“No. You can wear shorts and a T-shirt.” She stared at him. “The ladies will be delighted. Be warned, though, they might get a little giddy around a good-looking man.”
“I’ll bring my back-off spray. What time?” he asked.
“It’ll be early—nine in the morning. It gives them time to shower and change before church.”
The drive back to Austin took only thirty minutes. The evening traffic had calmed, and they made it to the coffee house with no problems.
After Dillon helped Ariana down from her seat, he held on around her waist. “I’m glad my date turned out to be you,” he said.
“After sitting in traffic, waiting for a wreck to clear, my stomach was knotted and I dreaded meeting a stranger,” she said. “When you turned around, I felt better immediately.” She leaned up on her
