Page 46 of The Texas Ranger: Saddled Up
“He isn’t?” Lizbeth cleared her throat delicately. “I caught the way he admired you earlier. I’d say he might say differently.”
Aasia sipped her water. “He’s a secretive man.”
“Secretive or protected, dear?” Lizbeth poured hot water into her teacup. “He has that quiet air. Like a ship that’s sailed many seas and looking for a harbor. Sometimes finding one’s home opens all those doors.”
The opening of the back door paused the conversation. Bear stepped into the kitchen, bringing with him the scent of rain and freshly mowed grass. He swiped off his damp hat and stuck it on a hook, exposing his thick tousled hair that reached the collar of his T-shirt. “I got the lawn done just in time.” He stomped his feet on the welcome mat and when he looked up, he swiped a curious glance from Aasia to Lizbeth then back to Aasia. “What secrets have you two been discussing?” He chuckled.
Aasia realized she’d been staring…hard. He had the ability to make her heart pitter-patter. His gaze settled on her, warming her from a cold she didn’t know she had until he came into her life.
“See what I mean?” Lizbeth said to Aasia then went to slice another piece of pie.
“Am I missing something?” Bear kept his attention on Aasia, his clear gaze penetrating her skin.
“Just girl chat, my boy. I made your favorite.” Lizbeth handed him a plate with a large slice of pie. “Just the way you like it.”
Suddenly, Aasia wanted to be skilled at making pie because the smile that erupted on his features made her feel ooey-gooey like the pie he was about to eat.
“I never met one as gracious as you, son,” Lizbeth’s eyes sparkled.
Bear shoved a bite of pie into his mouth and swallowed it with a large gulp of sweet tea. “I thought while I’m here, I’d take care of that leaky sink faucet too.”
“Do you have time? I don’t want to keep you two,” Lizabeth said.
“Do we have time, Aasia?” Bear asked.
“Yes, we have time.” In fact, she enjoyed sitting in the cozy kitchen watching Lizbeth flutter around her kitchen like a beautiful butterfly.
And when ten minutes later he was shoved under the sink with his bottom half stretched out onto the floor, the material of his T-shirt rising high on his toned abs and the waist of his jeans lowering below that amazing V that made all women salivate, she felt the temperature rise. Every time she looked at him, she saw another part of him.
“Delicious.”
Aasia nearly choked on her tongue when she looked at Lizbeth. “Huh?”
“The pie with the touch of cayenne and canned peaches. You must have liked it because you ate two slices.”
“Oh…the pie. Yes. Delicious.” Aasia returned her gaze to Bear who hauled himself out from under the sink. The damp cotton clung to his shoulders and torso. The large silver buckle of his belt glistened like a lighthouse, beckoning her.
Aasia drained her glass of tea.
How long could she resist touching him? Exploring his body like a treasure map.
“All fixed, but next time this happens I’m grabbing a new part.” He turned on the faucet. He washed his hands and dried off with a hand towel, then hung it over his shoulder.
Trying not to watch him while he polished off his pie like a hungry man made Aasia’s center throb. She was famished but not for pie.
“Your hospitality is always appreciated, Lizbeth.” Bear kissed her on the cheek.
She gleamed. “Are you kidding? All your help and company is much appreciated.”
He scooped his hat off the hook and planted it on his head then picked up his toolbox. “Are you ready?” he asked Aasia.
“I want to say bye to Lizbeth. I’ll meet you outside.”
He nodded and left the ladies alone.
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Lizbeth.” Aasia felt like she’d made a new friend.
“And you, my dear.” Lizbeth took Aasia’s hand and hesitated a moment before she said, “Love comes in all forms. In life, without it, we never see the world in full color. Take it from someone who knows. It may seem that I have everything here, but without joy to fill the walls it’s a lonely existence.”
