Free Midnight Wrangler by Cat Johnson Page B

with me tonight?”
    Her eyes widened at the invitation. “Um. Okay.”
    It wasn’t an overwhelming response. He would have liked better if she’d said, hell, yes . But it was still a yes, and that was just as good. He’d take an okay any day over a flat-out no.
    Biding his time to stretch out this little visit, he took another swallow of tea before he said, “I think the show starts at seven. So I’ll pick you up here between six fifteen and six thirty?”
    â€œNo.” She surprised him with the intensity of her no . “I mean, I’ll meet you at the theater. If that’s okay.”
    â€œA’ight.” He didn’t know why she wanted to meet there rather than have him come and get her, but he was willing to work with her to make her happy. “Out front?”
    â€œYeah, that’s good.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll see you then.” He chugged the remainder of the tea and handed the glass back to her. “Thanks for that. I appreciate it.”
    â€œNo problem. Anytime.” She focused her blue eyes on him and then yanked her gaze away. He hoped by the end of tonight, she’d stop being shy around him, but for now, it was kind of cute.
    â€œI better get back to work. Don’t want your father getting mad at me.”
    â€œNo, you don’t. So I guess I’ll see you later then.”
    â€œThat you will.” He waited for her to move so he could start plowing again, but she stayed standing right there.
    â€œRohn, maybe don’t mention the movie to my mother or father.”
    â€œOkay. I won’t.” He wanted to ask why, but he didn’t.
    He really did have to get back to work. He’d ask her outright later if she didn’t volunteer the information.
    She looked relieved. “Thanks.”
    â€œSure.” He nodded. “No problem.”
    â€œAll right. So I’ll see you later. At the theater.”
    â€œYup.”
    Finally, she turned and after one backward glance, made her way back.
    He could have shifted into gear and gotten right back to work the moment she was clear, but instead he watched her walk away all the way to the house. Only when she’d gone inside did he glance around him.
    Good thing Mr. Martin was nowhere to be seen or Rohn might have been in trouble for slacking off.
    Rohn eased his foot off the brake and hit the throttle. He heard the sound of the engine react to the change. The machine jerked into motion and Rohn made his way down the row.
    The job was monotonous, but now he had something to occupy his mind. He’d have plenty to think about for the rest of the day thanks to his date with Bonnie on the horizon.
    And hell yeah he’d have even more to think about tomorrow, because that would be the day after his first date with Bonnie Blue. The first date of many, he hoped. If things went well, he’d have lots of good memories to relive as he bounced in the tractor seat tomorrow.
    With the taste of the sweet tea still on his tongue, Rohn hoped to have the taste of Bonnie there shortly.

Chapter Six
    Summer, 2015 (Present Day)
    Bonnie drove up to her former home for the second time in less than a couple of hours, but this time, the paralyzing dread wasn’t riding her.
    Maybe that was because of the incredible smell of the barbecue takeout that filled the car’s interior. It was like an invisible yet physical hug surrounding her.
    It was called comfort food for a reason, she supposed. Even just the scent soothed her nerves. Of course, she could also be feeling different after coming face-to-face with Rohn. It hadn’t been as horrible as she feared. He’d been pleasant. Friendly. Maybe he didn’t hate her for leaving the way she had.
    The overwhelming guilt from the past was still there, but surprisingly she’d also felt pleasure at seeing the familiar face of her old boyfriend who seemed to only get better with age.
    The goofy smile of his youth had