Page 38 of All in with the Maverick Montana

“Is it only a break?” Angela wondered.

Amy sighed. “Honestly, I’m not sure. I think so. Faith kind of invited me down because I was having a tough time after a breakup.”

Angela hummed in understanding. “We know all about breakups around here. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m glad my grandbaby’s back. But Shane’s been going through it.”

“I figure I’ll sit out a few rodeos and make my way back to Bronco eventually. My ex isn’t exactly on the circuit, but I don’t even want to chance running into him right now.”

“I think getting some space is the right thing to do for most folks if you can. It helps clear your head.”

“I guess that’s what I was after,” Amy said. “A clear head and all that.”

Josh turned off the water and leaned against the bathroom sink.

“You think you found it?”

“I’m starting to.” Amy said softly.

“Well, for the record, I think you two make a lovely couple,” Angela said.

Josh shouldn’t have been eavesdropping. His mother had taught him better. Heck, Angela would probably scold him if she knew. But he was frozen, his breath coming shallow and uneasy, like he’d just run across the pasture.

“Oh,” Amy said, laughing softly. “No, it’s not like that. We’re just… We’re friends, I suppose.”

Josh’s pulse skipped in his chest. Just friends? Weren’t they more than that? Didn’t she feel it? He certainly did. And from where he was standing, he wanted to be much more than just friends. These feelings he had for Amy… It might sound ridiculous, but they were so much stronger than they should have been after only a couple of weeks together, but sometimes when a thing was right, it settled into your bones and couldn’t be altered.

That’s what being with Amy felt like. She was a breath of fresh air that had spread through his lungs and revived him.

It was right, this thing between them. He knew it was; he just hadn’t wanted to push her for anything, afraid that she’d bolt like a spooked horse, trampling his heart along the way. But hearing her say that they were just friends… The words boiled in his gut like an acid soup, burning and bubbling. He looked at his face in the mirror, knowing that even after this short while, losing Amy would crush him.

“You don’t sound so sure of that yourself,” Angela said.

“Maybe there are some feelings there,” Amy admitted. “At least on my end.”

The emotion inside Josh shifted so fast he almost fell back. Had she just admitted to having feelings for him? A herd of cattle could bust through the door and he wouldn’t care. His entire being delighted in Amy’s little confession.

“Only some feelings?” Angela clarified.

“No. A lot of feelings actually. More than I probably should have. Though I don’t think he knows that.”

“I’ve known Josh for a long time, and judging by the way he looks at you, there’s nothing friendly about it,” Angela said pointedly.

Josh should be mortified, but all he could do was smile.

Chapter Nine

A perfect Montana sunset painted the sky, the creamsicle clouds framing the pastures in pillows of crisp orange and rosy pink and sunflower yellow. It reminded Amy of cotton candy, and she almost felt like she could reach out and pluck a handful from her place on the porch.

She’d been at Split Valley for the better part of the afternoon. When Josh had invited her out riding, it had been an easy yes, but when he’d asked her to stay for dinner… Well, how could she possibly turn down a glorious spring evening like this? Josh had been quick to suggest burgers, prepared with all the fixings, and Amy wondered if he’d been working up the nerve to ask her to stay one of the other evenings they’d spent together. He’d seemed delighted when she agreed, giving her one of those dimpled smiles, and Amy knew in her gut that her feelings for him had spiraled way past friendship. She’d said as much to Faith and to Angela Corey, but this was something else. She didn’t just like Josh.

What she felt… It was something more.

And the thought of him not feeling the same way almost made her want to be sick.

But then Josh looked up from the grill where he was flipping burger patties and grinned at her in a way that made her doubt such a thing was possible. Happiness welled inside her. That, and a fierce hunger. Her belly rumbled.

“Was that your stomach?” Josh laughed.

“Maybe.” Amy touched her belly. “I didn’t eat much for lunch, so this is a treat. I actually didn’t realize how hungry I was.”