I went for a walk, far enough from the house that I couldn’t see it. I looked around, taking it all in, because this was nature in its purest form. I caught sight of a family of deer, the buck keeping watch as the doe and fawn grazed on the tall grass. Butterflies danced around, the buzzing of bees drifting past my ears. Beehives, maybe I’d look into those, since bees were struggling, and I had enough land for hives.
I was pulled from my thoughts when I saw a figure in the distance. I wasn’t sure if he was real, or if my imagination was taking creative liberties. The sun was behind him, and all he was missing was a cowboy hat. As he grew closer, my stomach and heart tripped, because it was Killian…on horseback. I’d never given thought to a man on horseback, but realized I was missing out because the sight before me was what fantasies were made of.
He didn’t smile or wave, wasn’t his style, and it would have thrown off the appealing picture he made. He approached and then slowed his horse. He didn’t stay on his mount but climbed off with the ease of someone who rode a lot. I didn’t think it was consciously done when he ran his hand over his horse’s head, just natural, like his riding.
He had a way of looking at me, an intensity that stirred my blood. I hadn’t a clue what he was thinking and then his lips parted and I held my breath. “You lost?”
The moment was over. I couldn’t even complain, because that was so him. I chuckled before I said, “No, just taking a walk.” Then I asked, “Are you?”
It wasn’t technically a grin, that slight tip up of his lips, but humor flashed in his eyes. He didn’t answer. I hadn’t expected him to. I wasn’t sure who started walking first, but we walked, silently, his horse following behind us. I had thought it’d be uncomfortable, the silence, but it was peaceful, walking with him and knowing I wasn’t required to fill the silence because he preferred it. I didn’t know him well, but I knew that.
The sun had started to set when he walked me back to my house. He waited for me to open the door before he climbed back on his horse. “Lock your door,” he ordered.
He was going to think I was starting a stalker wall, but I had to get his picture, because the sight of him and his horse was pretty damn awesome.
He waited, and I knew he was waiting for me to do as he ordered, to close and lock my door. “Night, Sheriff.”
“Night.”
I peeked out the window and watched until I couldn’t see him anymore.
“Do you think the fried onions are too much, or the horseradish?” Liam was pacing behind the counter. He was using me as a guinea pig with a new burger for the tavern.
“I love the fried onions and the horseradish.”
He stopped in front of me, dropping his hands on the bar. “And the egg?”
“It cools the horseradish. It’s delicious.”
He flashed me a smile. “I think so too.”
“You’re going to add this to the menu?” I asked, reaching for my wine and taking a sip.
“Yeah, gonna tell Killian first. Not that he cares, he leaves it all to me, but it is technically his place.”
Liam loved this bar. I’d only been here for three weeks, but it was clear that the tavern was all Liam, from the menu to the bands that played to karaoke night.
“I might be stepping over the line and if so, tell me to shut up, but have you ever thought about buying Killian out, because this place is all you from what I see?”
He leaned up against the counter while he dried the glasses he just washed. “Yeah. I’m working on it. Kill offered it to me, but I want to buy it.”
“I’m guessing you looked into loans.”
“I have, but I don’t have enough collateral to take out the amount I need.”
I glanced around the tavern. I’d been in about seven times since I’d arrived, and every time, including that first night, it was packed. An idea formed.
“I owe you dinner,” I said rather abruptly.
“I believe you do.”
“Are you free tomorrow night?”
“I am.”
“I have a proposal.”
His grin now was wicked. “I’m liking this better and better.”
“Not that kind of proposal.”
His crestfallen looked was adorable and completely feigned. I now understood Killian’s comment to me that first morning because Liam was a player, but I wondered if he’d change his ways for the right woman. I wasn’t a matchmaker, wasn’t going to try, but it was pretty obvious Liam was into Natalie and vice versa. Maybe just getting them in the same situation would help nature take her course.
“What kind of proposal?” Liam asked, and it took me a second to get back to the original topic.
“Business.”
Flirty turned serious, interested. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. Tomorrow night, we can discuss it.”
“Alright.”
I dropped money on the bar. “That burger is delicious. Don’t change a thing.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, around six.”
“I’ll be there. Don’t want to risk your wrath.”
I dropped my head. The incident, as it was called, circulated like wild fire. It was hard to forget your moment of idiocy when it was brought up all the time. Bright side, Natalie and the dog bonded, so she was keeping him.
“Seriously, stupid as fuck, but your heart was in the right place,” he said. “See you tomorrow, slugger.”
I shook my head, threw my hand over it in a wave and walked out.
I headed to the market. I wasn’t going to make burgers tomorrow night because the man knew how to make a burger. I’d grill up some steak, but that meant I needed a grill, so I detoured to the hardware store. The kid working greeted me.
“Hey. Can I help you?”
“Yes, I need a grill.”
“What kind of grill?” he asked.
One that you turned on the gas, it got hot
