Tobias (Reynolds Ranch 2)

“Only? And you own a ranch?” It’s amazing. From everything I’ve seen, he’s doing very well for himself.

“Well, it has been passed down. My dad died, and then I took over. My mother joined him at the beginning of the year.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s getting a little easier, but I wish she didn’t get sick. My father died in an accident. His death was quick. My mother suffered while we tried to find ways to get her help.”

“I’m so sorry, Tobias.”

“Enough. I need to drive, woman. I think you’re trying to get me to take this truck off-roading.”

“Hardly.” That’s absurd. I turn to look out at the window and see the trees full of snow, hints of green peeking through the white. It’s so pretty.

We’re nearly to the main road into town when he asks, “Did you create a list, or are we flying off the seat of our pants?”

My eyelids pop wide open. I start scrambling through my purse. After a fruitless search, I toss my head back against the headrest and sigh, “I’ve got a list. Shit.” I close my eyes.

“Don’t tell me the fridge still has the list.”

“You got me there. I’m sorry.”

He pats my fidgeting hands in my lap. “It’s okay. We’ll figure it out.” Every single time he touches me, my heart does flips even when they’re truly innocent ones.

“Ah, we’re here. Are you ready?”

“Sure.” He parks and then as he turns off the engine, I jump out of the truck. Damn it, I forget it’s icy out and I hit my ass on the ground. He lets out a snarling growl.

“Ava. You need to wait for me. Are you alright?”

“I am. A little embarrassed, but I’m sure my ass is wet now.”

“It looks good to me.” I blush, and so does he. “I mean, you can’t tell. Not that any of these assholes should be looking at your ass anyway.”

“Since I’m single, it’s not that big of a deal.”

“You’re not single,” he bites out in a rough whisper. I know that I’ve hit on the nerve that’s going to send him over the edge.

“I’m pretty sure I am,” I reiterate.

“You’re still in rebound mode. Vulnerable.” I arch my brow, but this isn’t the best place to have a conversation. People are already staring at us quizzically, but I’m guessing it’s because I’m new to the town. I’m not on the rebound. I’m on the run. It’s been too long since I’ve dated that the ball has most definitely gone out of bounds at this point. The only one I want to be vulnerable with has put his walls up to protect me. It’s very sexy and adorable, but if that’s the only thing holding him back, then I’m going to find a way to show him that I’m not hung up on any guy.

Several people say hello to him. “Hello, Tobias,” a woman says with a smile that’s a little too friendly in my opinion. He nods, but he’s become unsociable. We enter the grocery store and begin our long shopping trip. I swear more people stare at him, then at me. Several single women eye him like he’s available.

“You have a lot of admirers.”

“Well, money attracts women.”

“Money is good, but it sure as hell isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” I reply bitterly.

“You don’t like guys with money.”

“That’s not entirely true, but it’s not the first thing I notice or care about. So—I know you have a deep freezer with all the bacon and breakfast sausage you could eat all winter, but is there anything else you’d like for breakfast?”

“I can eat anything. Everything you’ve made has been incredible.”

“That’s good. So more eggs. Louisa says you get them here.”

“Yes, one of the farms supplies them to the grocery store so I pick them up when I actually decide to cook, which is never.”

“Well, let’s stock up. I hear we’re supposed to get another two days of snow, and since you don’t trust me to drive…”

“It’s not just that. What about your tags on your car? All it takes is a police officer to run them and your ex will find you.” He’s interrupted by someone, so he doesn’t see my reaction. I turn and grab a couple dozen eggs while the realization hits me. Do you still love him? He thinks I’m hung up on an ex who beat me. I don’t know what’s worse. Letting him think that, or confess that it wasn’t a boyfriend but the man who’s supposed to protect me.

I set the eggs in the cart and then move over to the creamer I love. I know they live very organically here, but a girl’s got to have her good creamer in her coffee. I’ve been tolerating milk and sugar, but I’m not passing it up this time.