As soon as he was able, he extricated himself from the conversation and an invitation to go out for a beer. He wanted to get some hot food out to Mia as soon as possible. He didn’t think she’d heard his promise to bring a meal back tonight and the shock on her face when he pulled up to the bunkhouse confirmed it.
“I wasn’t expecting you back tonight.” She’d brought a chair outside and was sitting with Silas resting on her thighs. She wore shorts and a loose top with a scoop neck. Her feet were bare.
She had pretty feet, which had to be the first time he’d ever had that thought. Her toenails were polished with a soft pink color that emphasized the warm color in her darker skin. He ached all over, wanting to kiss her, to have that privilege.
“I picked up a burger for you. Cheese, bacon, pickles and mayo. You can dress it your way.”
The wariness fell from her gaze, replaced by anticipation. “Please don’t tell me you learned that online.”
“No. I figured you needed something fresh and hearty, so I took a chance.” He reached into the truck for the drink carrier. “And something sweet sounded good, too.”
“Burgers and milkshakes?”
He nodded. “Your choice of chocolate or strawberry. Unless you’re allergic or something.”
“No allergies. Oh, I could kiss you.” She waved him closer. “One perk of pregnancy was not obsessing over every calorie.”
He traded the burger bag for the baby, pleased beyond reason when the little guy gazed up at him with wide, dark eyes. “I take it today was a better day?”
“Absolutely a perfect day.” She unwrapped a straw and stuck it into the top of the chocolate shake. “Thanks to you.” She repeated the process with the strawberry shake, handing it to him.
Jarvis shifted the baby easily and took a long pull of the cold, creamy treat. “You want me to take another walk?”
“Stay.” She smiled up at him and something went loose and gooey in his chest. “I could use some adult time and age-appropriate conversation.”
He could think of a thousand inappropriate ways to be an adult with Mia. But he did need to speak with her about Selina, the party and her plans... She moaned as she bit into the burger and his thoughts simply vaporized.
“Jarvis.” She licked a smudge of mayo from her thumb. “I don’t know how you knew, but this was exactly the right thing.”
“Glad to help.” He cleared his throat, swaying a bit with Silas. “I said I’d bring you some transportation, too. Y’know, in case you or the baby have some trouble and I can’t be here quickly.”
Her gaze scanned the area, tracking back toward the warming hut. “There isn’t really a good place to hide my car.”
“I had the same thought. I was thinking I’d leave you my truck and keys.”
“What? No. That’s silly. I can’t take your truck.”
He leaned against one of the support posts for the roof that covered the narrow porch. “I don’t like the idea of you being stranded out here. It doesn’t have to be an argument,” he added when her gaze narrowed.
She took another bite of the burger and closed her eyes while she chewed. Swallowed. She swiped a bit of sauce from her lip with her tongue and he nearly lost track of the entire reason he was out here.
“I want you to be safe. And to have options,” he said, his voice rough. “The ranch trucks have GPS and someone might wonder why a truck is out here by itself.”
“GPS?”
“It’s a big ranch.”
“True.” She grinned. “Lucky for me.”
“In my truck, you can get away if you need to, go to town or whatever.”
Her dark eyebrows drew together. “Town feels like a risk no matter what vehicle I’m driving, but you can’t baby me forever.”
A voice in his head wanted to promise her that very thing.
What a bizarre idea, that Jarvis Colton would baby Mia Graves. Except he wanted to bring her surprise milkshakes and help with her baby, and otherwise spoil her the way she deserved. They could share meals and laughter and talk each other to sleep at night. He’d be honored to shelter her from a wicked stepmother and help her restore her relationship with her dad.
All of that was way outside the realm of reality—his reality. He was a single ranch hand, and he liked it that way