Kissin' Tell (Rough Riders #13)(45)

“That’s thoughtful, but I just finished cooking.”


He took a step back. “I probably shoulda called first. No big deal. I’ll go.”


She grabbed a fistful of his T-shirt, holding him in place. “Not so fast. I have plenty of food if you’d like stay and eat with me.”


Tell curled his hand around her cheek. “You’re so damn sweet. Thank you. I’d like that. A lot.”


Just the simple stroke of his thumb made her belly flip. “I hope you like curry.”


“Don’t know that I’ve ever had it.”


Georgia stood on tiptoe to press her mouth to his. “So come in and try it.”


He let her lead him into the kitchen after protesting that he needed to remove his boots. She gently shoved him into a chair and grabbed another plate from the cupboard. “Tea would be better for you than beer.”


“Yeah. I ain’t drunk, but I’m definitely feeling the shots.”


“How is the newest McKay?”


“Perfect, strapping, eight-pound baby boy.”


“And your sister-in-law?”


“She’s doin’ great.” He frowned and traced the edges of the place mat.


Between Tell showing up unannounced and the uncertainty surrounding him, Georgia knew something was up. If he wanted to talk about it, he would, but she wouldn’t pry. She dished up two plates of basmati rice and poured coconut chicken curry over the top.


“Georgia, darlin’, this smells awesome.”


“It’s a little spicy.” She filled two glasses of iced tea and sat across from him. “Dig in. Don’t be shy.”


Tell stirred his food before taking a bite.


Georgia waited to see if he made a face. She remembered from living with her dad and Deck that cowboys weren’t adventurous eaters.


He swallowed and immediately scooped up another forkful. “Hey. This is tasty.” After a few more bites, he reached for his tea and sputtered. “Is there sugar in here?”


“Yes.”


Tell shook his head. “Iced tea ain’t supposed to be sweet.”


“Sweet tea is the norm where I’m from in Texas.”


“So you ain’t claiming Wyoming as your home at all?”


She shrugged. “We moved a lot before we ended up in Sundance. I might’ve considered it home if I’d stayed married to Deck.”


He dumped his tea in the sink and refilled the glass with water. “You’ve never talked about your life before you moved here.”


“It’s not that exciting. Me and RJ were born at Fort Bragg. My dad was stationed at two different army bases before he got out of the service. After that we moved to Nebraska. When Granddad died, my dad and his brother sold the farm, split the money and went their separate ways. My dad had always wanted to live in Wyoming, so he bought a small ranch and cattle operation.”


“Your mom didn’t mind movin’?”


“If she did, she didn’t say anything.” Georgia swirled her fork through the mixture, thinking back on those years. When everything thing had been somewhat normal in their family.


Startled by the rough fingertips caressing her hand, she looked up into Tell’s beautiful blue eyes. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”


His concern touched her, because she hadn’t expected it. “You didn’t. It was just a reminder that Sundance will never be my home.” She managed a smile. “So what do you think of the curry?”


“I really like it.”


“You want the recipe?”


“I’m not really much of a cook.”


It amazed her how many bachelors were clueless in the kitchen. “So what do you eat?”


“I stick to the basics. Meat. Potatoes. Chili. Eggs. Sandwiches. Frozen dinners. Or I eat out.”


“I’ll bet lots of ladies offer to fix you a home-cooked meal.”


“I usually take them up on it too.” He gave her a sly smile. “But none of those vittles have ever been as good as this.”


Georgia rolled her eyes.


“I’d offer to whip something up for you, but now that I’ve admitted I’m a lousy cook…”


“I’ll take you up on the offer, McKay, if for no other reason than to watch you squirm.”


His gaze settled on her chest. “I know a thing or two about making you squirm, don’t I?”


He laughed when she blushed.


After they finished eating, Tell insisted on doing the dishes. She wandered out the back door onto the patio.


The backyard was enclosed on three sides by a six-foot wooden fence with no trees obstructing the view of the sky. She’d even planted a vegetable garden, something she hadn’t done since living at the ranch. The lush green grass was soft beneath her bare feet. She spent most nights out here. Gazing at the stars. Listening to the night noises that were absent in a big city.


The screen door banged. Then Tell’s arms were around her. “I wondered where you’d gone off to.” He kissed the top of her head. “I checked your bedroom first.”