I grabbed his arm and looped mine around it with a sigh as we started heading toward the side gate to his backyard. This was so much better than basket weaving. “Hunter McNally, you sure do know the way to a girl’s heart.”
He tossed his head back and laughed. The sound of it made my heart thrill.
“Char, I’m pretty sure you’re the only girl that would be won over by a burger and pickles.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged. “But you remember what I like, and that’s what counts.”
He stopped in front of the gate to unlatch it. The intense look he shot me sent a bolt of electricity to my stomach. “You act like you’re so forgettable. Pretty sure no one could ever forget anything about you. Especially me.”
His sweet words brought tears to my eyes. I sighed and then reached up to wrap my arms around his neck in a tight hug. It was no wonder I’d been so miserable this past year. Hunter knew just how to make me feel better—unlike anyone else.
“Have I mentioned I’m glad you’re home?” I whispered in his ear, inhaling the scent of his cologne.
“Me, too,” he said gruffly.
He wrapped his arms around my torso, his large hands splaying on the small of my back. The soft, tickling warmth of his breath against my neck made goosebumps break out all over my skin. All those hard, sinewy muscles he’d gotten from working on his grandpa’s ranch were pressed against me as he tightened his arms around my waist. I found myself not wanting to let go. Hunter made me feel safe and...like me again. As if the last few months hadn’t happened. Staying like this forever would’ve been just fine with me.
But then the gate swung wide open, revealing Bree with a plate full of hamburgers in her hands. Her eyes widened in surprise as we disentangled ourselves. I tried not to look guilty when I shot her a smile. What was there to feel guilty about? I used to hug Hunter all the time. I was the huggy type. She knew that.
“Hey, kiddos,” she said, her face returning to an unnaturally neutral expression. “I thought I heard someone drive up. Didn’t realize it was you. Party’s out back.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I saluted her with two fingers and immediately regretted it. Who did that? Definitely not me. I was losing my mind. “I’ll just head on back.”
“Go on ahead, Char,” she said, stepping aside for me. “I’d just like a quick word with my son before we serve the food.”
I shuffled through the gate at a nearly super-human pace to avoid any more awkwardness. The McNallys’ backyard, entirely enclosed by a six-foot wooden slat fence, had a flagstone patio, a steel fire pit, and a rusty old swing set. It wasn’t a big yard, but it was just enough to accommodate the two-dozen or so 4H kids milling around with drinks in their hands.
I recognized some of the rodeo guys right away, including Graham with the stormy expression as he leaned against the swing and glared at everyone who seemed to be having fun. Surprisingly, I wasn’t the only girl in attendance. There were a few gals from Rock Valley High standing near Bree’s rose bushes. The tallest of them immediately caught my attention and left a sour taste in my mouth.
Sarah Claiborne was here. At Hunter’s house.
This really was becoming a problem.
I didn’t have much time to mull over it, though. Bree and Hunter came hustling through the gate not long after me, followed by Beth and Lexi, who both wore dreamy expressions on their faces as they took a good look at the boys in their jeans and hats.
“Holy cannoli, I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Lexi said as I approached them. She clasped onto my wrist, her nails digging into my skin. “Charlotte, tell me you’re staying in the contest. If you drop out and abandon these fine-looking men, I swear I’ll die.”
Even Beth rolled her eyes with me at that one. I pulled my wrist out of Lexi’s grip, crossed my arms tightly over my chest, and grimaced.
“I’m not sure I want to stay in it, after what happened today. As soon as Ms. Gentry finds out about that wet t-shirt performance, she’s going to hunt me down and kick me out herself. It’s better to bow out now.”
Lexi waved me off. “Please. She’ll know it was an unfortunate accident. I’m sure it happens all the time.”
“Right.” I arched my eyebrows. Guess Lexi didn’t care about my utter humiliation, as long as she got to do my hair and makeup. “Well, beating Sarah was my only motivation and that’s not exactly working...”
My gaze trailed over to Sarah where she was now surrounded by a handful of the boys. She artfully tossed her hair and gave them a smile that was so perfectly alluring that I was sure she practiced it at home in front of her mirror.
“Well, I still think you can beat her,” Beth said, mimicking my pose as she crossed her arms over her black t-shirt.
“Agreed,” Lexi added, a smile growing on her face. “But it doesn’t hurt to add some motivation. Let’s pick you out a cowboy, Charlotte. Maybe then you’ll be too busy trying to snag him with your charms in the competition to give Sarah any notice.”
I’d thought Lexi had just been fooling about getting me a cowboy, but she’d officially taken it to the next level. The idea was totally crazy. Impressing a boy would only make me more nervous. I was about to firmly shoot her down when Hunter appeared beside us bearing ridiculously good smelling food.
“Who’s Charlotte snagging with her charms?” he asked, handing me a burger on a paper plate. Sure enough, there were exactly three Vlasic pickles beneath the bun, just the way I liked them.
“A cowboy,” Beth answered, her eyes scanning the backyard. “Got any suggestions? We’re hoping with the right guy, she’ll be motivated
