Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
He smiled more at JB’s laughter than the joke. When JB laughed, the world had to join him.
“That’s her thing right now. Jokes. And she tells some of the worst ones I’ve ever heard, but each one cracks her up. God, she’s cute.” He sighed and set his beer down on the small table next to his chair to stretch his arms over his head. “I should think about hitting the sack. I’ve got an early day tomorrow.”
“Don’t let me keep you up, then. I’m fine on my own.”
JB lowered his arms and picked up his beer. “I’m enjoying being out here with you. You’ve got a comfortable presence. Anyone ever tell you that?”
“Nope, you’re the first. But I’m comfortable with you, too. I think we could be good friends.”
“I’d like that.” JB eyed him closely. “You know this doesn’t have to be your only vacation here. You and your mountains of computer equipment are always welcome. Plus, we’re not all that far from Austin, and there are a lot of fun things to do there. It’s worth a drive in for the live music alone. There are also a few vineyards close by since you seem to like wine.”
“Wouldn’t mind visiting one of those,” Cole said, though he knew little about wine. It would be fun to see how it was made.
“Most of the bars I frequent are gay bars, so I’m not up-to-date on the popular places in Austin.” The corner of his mouth went up. “But you’d be hella-popular at a gay bar.”
“The guys back home rope me into going to one once in a while and no, I don’t have trouble attracting men. Always just politely decline, though I’ve danced with a few.”
“Now, that I’d like to see. You dancing.”
Cole threw him a wry grin. “Trust me, you don’t want to see that. I love music, but I have the rhythm of a horse. In fact, I’m sure your horses have more rhythm than I do.” Plus, he always felt self-conscious on a dance floor, too aware of all the people around him and at the tables watching.
“I love to dance, but I grew up country line-dancing. When we have our cookouts, one of those inevitably starts, and even the drunkest of cowboys has those moves down smooth.”
Cole had never line-danced in his life. He’d seen them, though, mostly on television.
He finished his beer and thought of having another but changed his mind. He was good. Nice and relaxed and enjoying JB’s company. Even the quiet moments didn’t feel uncomfortable. The man didn’t make him feel awkward in the least.
In fact, it was quite the opposite. He was drawn to JB in a way he hadn’t felt before. Damned if he understood it at all, but he wanted to spend more time with JB. A lot more time.
But not tonight. It was late and JB got up with the birds. He’d probably stay out here with Cole as long as Cole liked, so he sat up and glanced at his phone. “Guess we ought to wind this down since you do get up so early. It’s past eleven, and you’re usually in bed by now.”
“You’re probably right. But I enjoyed this. We’ll do it again. Maybe I’ll come up with some better jokes.”
Cole chuckled and stood. He reached down to help pull JB to his feet, and a pleasant warmth rose from where their hands touched to ghost along his arm and then lower to pool in the pit of his stomach. He released JB’s hand and followed him in the house, trying to ignore the sensation.
But it remained on his mind, and he didn’t end up falling asleep for a long time.
Chapter Ten
JB frowned at the computer screen, trying not to think about how much he hated this part of the job and how he really wasn’t in the mood to sit behind a desk today. However, with his ass stuck in a chair, his feet couldn’t wander over to the guesthouse to see what Cole was up to.
Cole was on his mind way too much. The man had been at the ranch for nearly a week, and rather than being tired that he was constantly underfoot and in his house, JB looked forward to seeing him there at the end of each day. He hadn’t expected to like the guy so much.
When Rowe had asked for a tech geek to stay on the ranch, JB had thought he’d see the man occasionally, and they’d sort of grunt at each other in passing. JB had spent plenty of time living with guys, in the Army and sometimes other ranch hands. He knew how it worked.
But it was different with Cole. He was drawn to him. He was intelligent and thoughtful. It was interesting to see how his brain worked and how he puzzled out problems. Not to mention his unwavering politeness and kindness to everyone he met.