Page 34 of A Cowboy to Call Her Own

“It was for the best,” Kelley said, her words indifferent and practical. “We were opening the restaurant and putting all our efforts into ensuring it was a successful launch.”

That made their wedding sound like an afterthought as ifshewas an afterthought. How could anyone consider Kelley that? He noted she did not quite answer his question, yet decided not to press and asked instead, “How do you feel about marriage now?”

“It’s not on the consideration list for the future,” she said, then added, “Neither is dating or a relationship.” Yet, her fingers flexed around his and her hold tightened. “What about you?”

“It’s not on my list, either,” he confessed and turned onto the drive for Whittaker Farm.

She shifted in her seat to face him and said, “Bad experience, then.”

“Not really.” Asher shrugged and explained, “It’s more the opposite, actually. After my last relationship ended a few years back, I dated here and there. But there wasn’t a spark or a connection worth pursuing. So now I put my time and energy into things where I actually see a return.”

“I like that,” Kelley said, a lightness in her tone. “You’ve put a value proposition on dating and found none. I have to agree with your assessment.”

They were aligned. That should suit Asher extraordinarily well. Why, then, did he want to change her mind? It wasn’t as if he was changinghismind. Asher was not known to be indecisive or wishy-washy. He would not start now. He frowned. Fortunately, the Whittaker farmhouse came into view before Asher could find out how firm her new stance really was.

A reed-thin farmer in a flannel shirt, oversize moss-green waders and matching rubber boots waved and stepped off the wraparound porch to greet them.

Kelley slipped her hand from Asher’s, opened her car door and hopped out, denying Asher the chance to lean in to his chivalrous side. Probably for the best. Had Asher opened her door and offered his hand to help Kelley out, he would have most likely tucked her right into his side and been tempted to keep her there. But this was not that kind of relationship in the making. He just needed to remember as much. Asher grabbed the box of blackberry turnovers from the backseat, climbed out and walked around the hood of the truck.

Kelley gave Herman Whittaker a quick, friendly embrace. She asked after his wife and grandkids.

“You just missed her and the grans. They’re headed to the waterpark to swim off some of their energy.” Herman’s smile brightened his sun-burnished weathered cheeks. “And I’m fixing to get in a spot of fishing before they get back.”

Kelley grinned at Asher. “Herman has eight grandkids all under the age of ten.”

“And for reasons unknown, they all want to be together kicking up a ruckus for the summer under our roof.” Herman frowned, yet affection filled his words.

Growing up, Asher and his brothers had traveled as a pack, too. It was rare to find one Blackwell brother without another one close by. Now they were adults, and it was even more rare to find them together. Asher ignored that twinge of nostalgia in his chest, yet acknowledged that he missed his brothers. A lot.

Asher offered the box to Herman. “I’m not sure if you’ll want to keep these for yourself as a pick-me-up. But there’s plenty in there to share with the grandkids, too.”

“They’re blackberry turnovers,” Kelley said, almost shyly.

Herman peeked into the box and whistled. “Now, don’t those look delicious.” He reached inside, removed a turnover and took a big bite. One long sigh later, Herman said, “Now this tastes just like my great-gran’s. You can’t measure the love, but you can sure taste it.”

Kelley fluttered her hand as if she wanted to brush aside the compliment with little fanfare and said, “That’s kind.”

And all too true. Asher had tasted Kelley’s food. But watching her now, he wondered if Kelley knew how truly talented she was. Either way, his chef wasn’t one to easily accept a compliment. And that made Asher all the more determined to show Kelley that she deserved all the praise and more.

While Herman finished his turnover, Kelley asked, “We came to see about your parade float trailer, Herman. Do you still have it?”

“Sure do. Got it certified last month.” Pride was there in Herman’s thin face and words. “It’s ready to make its big parade debut.”

Kelley smiled at Asher. “As it turns out, we can help make that happen.”

“Don’t tell me Lawrence needs it. I told him the stage for his Bluegrass band would never fit on his trailer.” Herman frowned. “Lawrence should’ve set up the band on the courthouse steps like we’ve always done. No reason to change a good thing.”

Asher knew something about that. He had the same good thing going in New York. A successful career and an apartment he renovated himself and friends he saw on his terms. He had built agoodlife there. There was nogoodreason to change anything. Except when he looked at Kelley, he considered something different. Something more than what he had.

“No, it’s not that. Lawrence is on schedule for the band’s float to go into the parade as planned,” Kelley assured the wiry farmer, then added, “We’d like your trailer for a new parade float.”

“I see.” Herman’s salt-and-pepper eyebrows pulled together as if helping him to focus better. Although the perceptive farmer seemed to read things clear enough. He hooked his thumbs in the front pockets of his waders and drawled, “Hmm, that’s going to cost you, then.”

“Of course.” Kelley patted her pockets as if searching for her wallet. “We can pay you a daily rental fee. That won’t be a problem.”

The farmer chuckled. “I don’t want your money.”

Kelley stilled and cast Asher a perplexed look.