Free The Rancher's First Love by Brenda Minton

me.”
    â€œAustin? With you?” she repeated back to him.
    One corner of his mouth tilted up. “Yeah. To Austin. With me. I have to take John Wayne to a group home for foster children. I thought you might like to go with me. I’d like it if you did.”
    â€œDo you remember in The Little Mermaid ,” a voice piped up behind them, “when all the sea creatures sing about kissing the girl. You know the song?”
    Lilly had reappeared.
    â€œLilly, I’m warning you,” Sam said in a low voice that she hoped sounded authoritative.
    Remington laughed. “Lilly, you’re my favorite Martin.”
    She gave him a cheeky grin. “Thank you. You’re my favorite problem.”
    â€œEnough,” Sam warned. She couldn’t avoid Remington forever. He was standing there, waiting, smiling. As if he thought they’d just pick up where they left off.
    But they couldn’t.
    â€œCome with me, Sam.” He stepped a little closer, close enough that she could see the flecks of gold in his gray eyes.
    â€œI have to take Lilly and her horse back to the ranch. I have laundry and housework.”
    â€œExcuses, excuses.” He winked, matching it with a grin. “I never thought you were a chicken.”
    â€œI’m not. I’m just very busy.”
    â€œYes, laundry. I heard. Or you could go with me and meet some great kids. It’s your choice.”
    â€œYou’re not playing fair.”
    He laughed. “You’re right, I’m not. I’ll get John Wayne loaded up and meet you at your place in an hour.”
    â€œI’ll be ready.” She sighed.
    An hour later she heard his truck pull up to her house. She pulled on her boots and grabbed her purse. And then she slowly walked out the front door, trying not to seem overeager. He got out and opened the passenger door for her.
    Her gaze locked with his. It was easy to get lost in those gray eyes, especially when he was close and his hand touched hers. No. She wanted to say the word, but she didn’t. She couldn’t.
    â€œSam?”
    If she pulled away, he would let her go. She didn’t pull away. Not when he took a step closer. Not when her heart reacted with a painful squeeze.
    She closed her eyes. Then common sense returned with a vengeance. She shook her head and backed away.
    â€œNo.”
    Remington let out a breath. “You’re right. I know you’re right. There was a moment there, though, when it felt...”
    She shook her head, cutting him off. “No, don’t. We had something ten years ago. We can be friends now but we can’t go back to the way it was.”
    â€œWhy is that?” he asked.
    â€œBecause it hurt too much, Rem. It hurt to be sent away. It hurt to be all alone.”
    â€œWho says I’m walking away?”
    â€œNo one. But who says you’re staying?”
    He pulled off his hat and ran a hand through his dark hair. “I guess I’m saying that.”
    â€œBut we’ve changed. We’re older. We should definitely be more mature,” she said. “We’re in two different places. Spiritually we’re worlds apart right now.”
    â€œCare to explain?” He said it so easily, as if the balance of their relationship wasn’t hinged to the question.
    â€œI shouldn’t have to spell it out. You’re in ministry. My faith has been eroded. It isn’t broken or gone, just badly bruised.”
    â€œI’ve considered that. I know the smart thing to do would be to walk away before either of us gets hurt. But, Sam, I can’t. Not until I know what is or isn’t here between us.”
    â€œYou’re not making this easy.”
    He grinned and reached to open the truck door for her. “I don’t plan on making it easy.”
    * * *
    The group home in Austin housed fifteen kids of various ages. Several workers were present. Remington led John Wayne around the backyard of the facility.