Free Rugged Hearts by Amanda McIntyre

that coat, she opened her mouth to ask if he remembered her, but in the next instant he was exiting the store, his coat fanning out around his legs. It dawned on her he hadn’t spoken a word to her. Not even so much as a how do you do!
    “Good luck, darlin’, if you think can melt that heart.” Denise eyed Aimee with an arched brow.
    “What a strange guy. What’s his story?” Her attention was focused on watching him pause to drop off his bag in the truck, before heading to the meat market next door. His beautiful golden retriever sat dutifully in the cab, content to watch the hustle and bustle around her. Maybe it’d been longer than she thought since she’d met a man who turned her insides to Jell-O.
    “Wyatt’s kind of a loner. Has been since Jed, his dad, died. Keeps to himself, pretty much. Denise stuffed the last of Aimee’s groceries in her lime-green Save The Earth bag and handed it to her. “I say you count yourself lucky he acknowledged you at all.” She cackled. “In fact, darlin’, that might be the closest thing to flirting I’ve ever seen that man do.”
    Aimee gave the woman a dubious glance and waved as she left, but deep inside the memory of his stoic gaze, left her fanning herself with her mitten.

 
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
    Wyatt’s gaze darted to the young woman standing next to his truck. She raised her arm as he approached. “Hi, remember me? I stopped by your place the other night for directions?”
    Like he could forget that hair or the shape of those legs encased in faded denim. Oh yeah, he remembered her, fantasized about her, imagined exploring her from the tip of her nose to the tips of her toes, which he just bet were painted pink to match her coat. He nodded and dropped down the tailgate of his truck, placing the bundles of meat in his arms into a cooler. “Are you lost again?” he asked, not wanting her to see the heat in his eyes from his previous thoughts.
    He felt her presence at his side and glanced over, meeting her curious expression. “That’s a joke. Thanks for the apple. You didn’t have to do that.”
    She shrugged. “Denise says I’m lucky you acknowledge me at all. Quite the reputation with the ladies you must have around here, Slick.”
    “My name isn’t Slick and Denise should mind her business.” He shifted the groceries in his crates so they wouldn’t tip over on the way back home. Where he needed to head soon before….
    “I was wondering if you’d care to join me for a cup of coffee?”
    Before that happened. “No, I don’t think so.”
    “Do I scare you, cowboy?”
    He let out a quiet laugh. “You certainly have quite the mouth on you.”
    “That’s not a joke, is it?” she asked.
    He slammed the gate of the truck bed. “Look, it’s been a pleasure. Thanks for the apple thing.” He started to leave.
    “Oh my gawd. I just figured it out. You don’t like women. Of course, it all makes sense now.”
    Wyatt walked to the back of the truck where she stood and stared at her. “What are you talking about?”
    She blinked at him, her eyes bright with wonder. “I don’t know why I didn’t see it before. You hardly come to town, you prefer keeping to yourself. It must be difficult.”
    He clamped his hand on the tailgate and pushed his face to hers. Of all the damn foolishness. “What must be difficult?” Wyatt took a deep breath and waited patiently, his gaze locked to hers.
    “’Course it’s just as hard for single women. Don’t get me wrong. I do understand. My dad calls this place the land that time forgot. But for a guy with alternative preferences it must be—”
    His brows shot up. “What?” he spat out in utter surprise. Does she really think …?
    She leaned forward, studying him with those beautiful eyes. “It’s okay. I have no problem with it. You know, I think we could be really good friends, just the same.”
    “Friends?”
    She shrugged. “Sure, why not? I accept your choices.”
    “Oh well.” He chuckled