And he had to do it before he forever lost his chance to woo Stella.
Where was Steel Cooper now?
Stella knew she should focus on Eric, who was moving her around to the slow country tune the band was playing, but she found it hard to keep her mind from wandering. The evening was warm, the music good, and a Montana sky’s worth of stars shimmered overhead. A romantic setting for sure—
So why couldn’t she focus on the man in her arms?
When the Coopers moved back to town three years ago, Stella had never thought Steel would take up so much of her thoughts, but lately she couldn’t shake his face from her mind—or his touch from her dreams.
He’d danced with her on a couple of occasions this summer, each time simply to rile up one of her brothers. Those dances meant nothing, but still she could remember the feel of his hands on her waist, the crispness of his shirt against her cheek and the shivers he’d sent down her spine when he’d whispered in her ear.
“Stella?” Eric’s voice broke into her reverie, and she shook off her wayward thoughts. Steel wasn’t a suitable match for her, no matter how she reacted when he was near. “What are you thinking about?” Eric pulled her against him, and she shifted to try to get more comfortable. It wasn’t fair to him to keep wishing it was Steel’s broad shoulders she had her arms wrapped around.
Eric Holden was one of the best men Stella knew. She’d always appreciated his dedication to his job. He was one of the first to get into work in the morning and still there when she clocked off for the day. Several times, driving through town at night, she’d seen his truck in the sheriff’s department parking lot, his office light on. He was steadfast, energetic and good-looking, even if he was a bit older than she was. She couldn’t say why he didn’t rev her up the way Steel did.
“Just… appreciating the music.” It was true as far as it went. The band was competent, and dancing with Eric was nice enough. He was a solid man, still muscular despite his forty-three years. Handsome, too, with a strong jaw and green eyes that were easy to get lost in. She knew other women were watching and envying her, which made it ridiculous that she couldn’t keep her mind off Steel.
Daydreaming about the man was wrong in so many ways she couldn’t count them. She was a Turner. He was a Cooper. She valued honesty, forthrightness and good citizenship, all characteristics Eric possessed in spades. Who knew what Steel valued? She worked for the sheriff’s department as a receptionist—and hoped to move into a different position soon. Steel skirted the law like his father had—and maybe outright broke it.
She needed a man like Eric. A sheriff’s deputy, like she hoped to be one day. A good, forthright, caring man she’d always be able to depend on. She’d never have to wonder what Eric was up to; she could read him like an open book. He loved his work, his baseball team and his country. There weren’t any layers to him—or secrets. He wasn’t like Steel, slipping in and out of her life in disconcerting ways, never making it clear if he thought of her as date material or just the girl next door.
If he thought of her at all.
Besides, she had too much on her plate to worry about men very much. The next intake for deputy training was coming up fast. First she had to pass the entrance exams, including a physical fitness test. That meant getting into better shape.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about you.” Eric broke into her thoughts, drawing her closer.
“Really?”
“Really.” He bent to brush a kiss over her forehead. Stella’s heart sank. He’d been thinking about sex with her, clearly. Did he ever consider her intellect, sense of humor or achievements?
Of course he did, she told herself, but they were at a wedding. The whole evening had been romantic. Could she blame Eric for being in a romantic mood—even if she wasn’t?
The truth was, she felt torn about her single status. On the one hand, everyone around her was getting married, and she felt left behind. On the other hand, she wasn’t sure she was ready for a relationship with anyone. She had things to do—changes to make in her life. She had a feeling Eric was the kind of guy who liked things to stay the same.
Steel probably relished a challenge. He struck her as the kind of man who could wake up one morning and change everything about himself.
Which didn’t make him boyfriend material, she reminded herself severely. Eric was far more appropriate. He ticked off all the right boxes as a potential mate, and she liked him. Admired him.
But she never found herself daydreaming about him—not the way she daydreamed about Steel.
When Eric bent down again, angling for her mouth this time, Stella pulled back. “I’m going to try to be a deputy,” she blurted. “And I need to pass the physical fitness test. Do you want to train with me sometime?”
He blinked. Pulled back, wary at this sudden change in conversation. “Well, I… sure, Stella, if that’s what you want.” It was obvious his mind had been on an entirely different activity they could do together.
“Well, you passed it, right?” she barrelled on. “I mean I know it was a long time ago, and maybe you don’t even remember the test, but…” Oh, this wasn’t going well at all.
She was pretty sure Eric sighed. “I’m not ancient. I do remember the agility test.”
Had she hurt his feelings?
“I know you’re not ancient.” She tried again. “That wasn’t what I meant at all. I meant maybe you’re too busy for something like that.” Over his shoulder she
