Page 25 of Riding Into Love
Colby places a tender kiss on my forehead, and we both lean back against the wall, cuddled close to one another. We’re soaked to the bone and trapped inside this little shack, and yet, right now, it feels like the safest place on Earth.
?Chapter Eight
?Colby
There’s nothing likea trip to town to remind me why I avoid it. Too many people, too much noise, and not enough whiskey to drown out the circus. But today, I’ve got a good reason for putting myself through the torture: River Thurston.
She’s sitting beside me in the truck, tapping her fingers on the armrest, while her other hand toys with the silver ring on her thumb. She does that a lot when she thinks no one is watching. I think it helps her stay focused.
I glance at her, and she looks away. That seems to be a common theme with us lately. Neither one of us knows where we stand with the other. But that doesn’t mean I’m not still interested. Quite the contrary.
That’s why I asked her to join me on this little outing. It’s been a while since she’s gotten away from the ranch. I figured a trip into town would help her relax. So, I claimed I needed a few things and asked if she wanted to ride along. Surprisingly, she said yes.
“What do you need to get in town?” she asks, breaking the silence.
“I’ve gotta stop by the feed store, and then I was gonna stop and get something for lunch. Maybe grab a drink or two. You up for a night out on the town?”
She snorts. “Is this your way of asking me on a date, Burke?”
“Not a date. Just a night out with the boss.”
“Right. Well, as long as there’s booze and greasy food, you’ve got yourself a date, boss.”
I chuckle. “All right, darlin’. Let’s go get you a drink.”
Missoula is about as big as it gets in these parts, but it’s still a small town by most people’s standards. There are a few bars, a couple restaurants, a hardware store, and the feed and tack store. A few of the big box stores are located just off the highway, and they have a large grocery store, a movie theater, and a few shopping plazas, but most of the locals prefer the local shops.
It’s not busy, since it’s the middle of the afternoon, but there are a few people milling around the square. Most everyone stops to stare as we walk by. Whether it’s because I’m Colby Burke or because I’m walking next to River, I’m not sure, but I’d put my money on the latter.
River Thurston has a tendency to draw attention wherever she goes.
I push open the door to the saloon and step aside to let her pass. “After you, darlin’.”
“Such a gentleman,” she teases, rolling her eyes, but the smile on her lips could light up the damn night sky.
As soon as we walk in, the bartender, an old friend of mine named Hank, lifts his chin. “Hey, Colby.”
