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"No. Just feels...tight. Constricted." Ryan frowned into the distance for a moment, and her heart sank—had she pushed too hard? But he continued, "Like wearing a ski boot or a hiking boot, then taking it off. You like doing the sports, but it feels so good when you get the gear off."
Good, he wasn't offended. "That makes sense. Do you ski?"
He looked at her with an obviously fake look of horror. "Ski?! A two-planker? I'm a boarder, baby." He held out his arms in a surfer's stance. "You?"
She laughed. "Yeah. I ski. I try to go at least a couple times a month. I'd love to go during the week when it's less crowded, but the business isn't there yet."
"I can hold down the shop. But if you go on the weekend, I'd love to catch a ride."
"Sure. Always nice to have company on the drive. Do you hike?"
"Yeah." He nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. "I used to backpack too, but I haven't gone since Alaska."
Erin paused the movie, which hadn't finished the credits yet. "I go out backpacking with the University of Montana's Wilderness Institute once a year. I'm sure they'd be happy to have you along too."
"Really? What do they do?" He seemed intrigued.
"They have a Citizen Science program for wilderness character monitoring. Trail conditions, what campsites are like, inventorying manmade structures, who's using them, and sometimes trail clearing, campsite naturalization, or weed pulling. They go to lots of different places." She grinned. "This year, they're going to the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness—it's practically in our back yard."
"I'd love to get out there." Longing was plastered across his face. "When are you going?"
"Middle of August. I'll be shutting down the shop for a long weekend, which I meant to talk to you about, anyway. I can send you the details, and if you want to go, I'll email the director and see if they can fit you in on my trip. We can share most of the stuff they recommend."
"Cool. Yeah. Send me the deets, please." Ryan smiled at her, an excited, happy smile.
For a moment, she could see what he was like before his injury. She smiled back. "Sure. Movie?"
"Yeah."
They watched, sipping beers and cracking up. As the end credits rolled, Erin got up. "Your friend Wiz was right. This was a good movie. Dessert now?"
"Sure."
Erin put the cupcakes on plates, handing one to him. She was unwrapping hers when Ryan moaned. She chuckled at the look of ecstasy on his face. He really liked the cupcake.
"That is so good. Did you bake this?" He took another bite, leaning over the plate on his lap to catch crumbs.
She chuckled. "No, my friend Deb baked it. She owns the best bakery in town."
"I guess so." He stared worshipfully at the treat. "Is she single?"
"Yes." The way to a man's heart... At least one of them could have a hot hunk of manhood.
"Wow. The men in this town are all idiots."
Erin snorted a laugh. "That's true. Present company excepted, of course."
Ryan flashed a smile at her and ate another bite. She'd tell Deb she had a new convert. She sampled hers and had to strangle a moan of ecstasy. Wow. Deb really outdid herself. She licked her lips and glanced at Ryan. He looked at her mouth, then raised his gaze to her eyes.
He leaned toward her, a finger extended—she couldn't look away, trapped by the heat in his gaze. He trailed one finger down her cheek, swiping it across her lower lip. Pulling away, he licked the frosting off his finger, never taking his eyes off of hers. She swallowed. That was hot. So hot.
Ryan's voice was low and gravelly. "Yeah. The only way that could be better—"
Three quick raps sounded on her front door, breaking the spell. Oh, no. She knew who knocked like that. Erin considered not answering, but Mother would walk around to the patio and let herself in. Talk about lousy timing. Or maybe it was good timing—that moment might have led to all the wrong places.
"I really don't want to deal with her right now," Erin muttered. Rising, she reached the door as three more ever-so-polite raps rang louder. She jerked open the door. "What?"
"That's no way to answer the door, dear. Let me in. I'm not standing here on your porch." Mom's usual haughty annoyance sat on her face.
