Page 16 of Second Chance Saloon

She closed her eyes, breathing through her nose. When she opened her eyes, the smile was back on her lips. “How’s your riding?”

“Non-existent, I’m afraid. I’ve never been on a horse.”

Jackie’s head jerked back in shock. “Wow. That’s … I didn’t see that coming.”

“Have you really never met a guy who’s not been on a horse?”

Her brow raised. “Met? Sure. Been on a date with one? Never.”

Mitch tugged on the collar of his shirt, a shiver running down his spine. He sipped his beer, thoughts running wild. What if that was a deal-breaker for her? The fact that he was a useless city boy.

“Oh my god, you’re sweating.” She covered her mouth with her hands. “You think I’ll like you less because you can’t ride?”

“Well—” Mitch started, but Jackie grabbed his hand.

“I don’t swim. I fell overboard when I was seven, maybe eight. Nothing happened, I had a life vest on, but it scared the hell out of me. I haven’t been in open water since then.” She squeezed his fingers. “I was just surprised because you’ve told me you want to be an equine vet. That’s all. But, honestly, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

He cleared his throat, running his thumb over her knuckles. “I’ve been around horses. My parents have always been too afraid I’d injure myself and not be able to swim for a time. So, they never let me try.”

A song Mitch knew well came on from the speakers, “What Kinda Gone” by Chris Cagle. Unconsciously, his right leg started slowly tapping on the wooden floor to the music.

Jackie hummed under her breath like she understood more than what he conveyed. “Would you like to learn? I could teach you.” She tilted her head, biting the corner of her lip. “Probably about some other things, too.”

Their eyes locked and for a fleeting second, the four walls of the bar dissolved into nothing. Song lyrics blended into indistinguishable melody. The floor beneath his feet was the only solid thing anchoring him to reality.

He swallowed, the implied innuendo burning itself into his mind. There was no chance in hell he wasn’t going to imagine all the things Jackie could teach him later on, when they were alone.

“Oh, I know! You could help me overcome my fear of water in exchange! Yes, that’d be amazing.” She beamed at him. “Please say yes. It’d be so much fun.”

Her long eyelashes fluttered over her ice blue eyes.

Mitch groaned. How the hell was he supposed to say no to her?

Why would you say no anyway, you idiot? It’d mean spending more time with her. Which is what you want.

“Fine. Let’s do that,” he said.

Jackie squealed, jumping up and throwing her arms around his neck. The unexpected impact of her body hitting his almost toppled him to the floor. He wrapped an arm around her waist, lifting her up as he regained balance.

“You’ll Think of Me” by Keith Urban was now playing, one of Mitch’s favorites. He pressed his open palm against Jackie’s lower back. “May I have this dance?”

Her chest rose and fell against his. Untangling her limbs from his, she straightened up and extended her hand. “Thought you’d never ask.”

She led him to the middle of the floor, where several couples were already slow-dancing.

Mitch put both his hands on her hips, his breath catching as she put her hands on his shoulders. He wasn’t a great dancer, but this, swaying from side to side, was something he could do. Damn him, he’d do it all night long if it meant he could be close to her.

The chorus came on and Jackie closed the remaining space between their bodies, pressing herself into his chest.

Mitch closed his eyes, wanting to etch this moment into his memory. His heart thumped against his ribcage. His ears distorted the music, amplifying the sound of his breathing.

The song finished but neither of them made a move to walk off the dance floor. “Do I” by Luke Bryan swiftly followed.

Mitch pressed his hands more firmly onto her hips, his heartbeat so wild and loud that he was certain everyone in the bar could hear it.

Jackie cupped his cheek, guiding his head down to look at her. “You know I like you, right?”

He inhaled sharply. “And I do you. I like you a lot, Jackie.”