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“Oh, Travis, just one minute. I was really hoping to talk to you about…”
“Sorry, Barb. I’ve got to turn in. Can it wait til tomorrow?”
“I’m happy to help you, Barb.”
“No, no, I can wait til tomorrow. Good night, Travis, sweet dreams.” Barb brushes Travis’ arm. She is bold!
I grab his hand and lead him away. Once we’re out of earshot, he sighs in relief. “That woman is crazy. Thank goodness you’re here; otherwise, she might eat me alive.”
“I’m happy to be of service.” I squeeze his hand, realizing we’re well out of view of the guests and still holding hands. I’m not going to be the one to pull away. I’m smitten. But I know he’ll never go for me. Ryder would kill him.
He keeps hold of my hand and leads me to his bedroom. Ok, not like that, but a girl can pretend!
I can tell his back is hurting him. I can’t let him sleep on the couch again.
“Hey, let me sleep on the couch. You hardly fit, and I can fit comfortably. You take the bed.”
“No way.”
“I insist. Look how much better I fit.” I lie down on the couch. “Plus, I’m already here.” He stares at me. Is he going to lie down on top of me? I wouldn’t mind. I smile up at him, trying to look seductive without being overtly seductive. I’m not sure how good I am at this.
Travis easily lifts me up and says, “I can move you.”
My heart skips a beat. He looks me in the eye. Is he going to kiss me? I sure hope so. I can’t be the one to make the first move. Ryder will kill me. Although, he’d probably kill Travis more. Ugh. Well, I might as well enjoy it while I can.
He sets me down on the couch, but in a sitting position, and sits beside me—right next to me, despite all the space on the other side of him. Once again, he’s staring. Once again, I feel like he could kiss me at any moment. Or maybe I’m totally imagining everything. It's hard to say.
“Dad? Is that you?” Mia pokes her head out of her bedroom door.
“Yes, I was just coming to check on you.” Travis stands up.
“Oh, I’m fine. I’m going to bed.”
“I’ll come tuck you in.”
“Not necessary. Love you, good night.”
“Night, Mia. Oh, by the way, I’m going to take the couch tonight,” I say. If Mia knows, it has to happen.
“Oh, ok. Good night, Ava.’
Once again, I look up to see Travis staring at me. I can’t tell if he wants to destroy me or devour me. I hope it's the latter.
14
TRAVIS
Man, it feels good to lie down and stretch out. I feel guilty for taking the bed tonight, but Ava didn’t give me much of a choice. Plus, she does fit much better on the couch than I do. I could invite her into the bed with me—there is plenty of room for both of us. But I know that’s a bridge too far.
What a day. As hectic as it was, the days I get to be out on the land with Bigsby are my favorite kind of days. I’d love to hire someone to be the face of Whispering Meadows so I don’t have to. That’s my real dream, but I can’t tell Ava that. “Owner of Whispering Meadows Hates Interacting with Guests.” That’s not quite the publicity I’m looking for.
My body is exhausted, but my mind won’t turn off. A million thoughts are running through my head–Barb, what a psycho; Bigsby, what a legend; the stupid cattle, why would they try to escape? They’re living the dream here. And Ava. I think I’m in trouble. I have to keep reminding myself that we’re just pretending.
Mia is right; Ava wouldn’t want an old man like me. What have I got to offer her? Nothing.
I feel guilty about keeping Mia home today to work, but I needed her. I really couldn’t have rounded up the cattle without her. She was so genuinely happy, too. I didn't see any of her usually moody, sarcastic teenage behavior.
Eventually, my mind quiets, and I drift off to sleep. It feels like I just closed my eyes when Ava busts through the door to my room.
