by Elle James
Dillon nodded, twisting the top off the bottle. “I could use some help getting the boat out of the pond. We might need an extra-long rope to drag it to the edge where we can flip it over.”
“What exactly did you put on your preferences in your BODS profile?” Brand asked, a look of puzzlement on his face.
“It doesn’t matter what I put,” Dillon said, taking a quick sip of the beer. “You’ll have your chance to fill out your profile the way you like. I don’t need to know what you put down.”
“Emma said Leslie’s working to restore an earlier version of the software,” Brand continued. “What happened last night after we left her office? Did you break the system on purpose?”
“No, the lightning strike must have scrambled the system or hardware. I actually ran into Arianna coming out of the computer lab in the dark.”
Emma’s eyes widened. “You met last night?”
“We did, but it was in the dark because the electricity was off, and we made our way to the exit via the stairwell.” All twenty flights. His lips twisted into a wry grin. “We never exchanged names.”
Coop chuckled. “So, you didn’t know who Ariana was until you met at the coffee shop?”
Dillon nodded. “That’s right.”
“And the sad fact is that BODS has a glitch. They probably weren’t even supposed to be matched,” Emma said. “Leslie is beside herself. She’s still at the office with Tag trying to fix it.”
“So, what’s your plan for the evening, Romeo?” Ace asked Dillon. “Going to take your glitch date back to Austin? Or are you two staying for dinner?”
“Is there enough for us?” Dillon asked.
“You’re going to keep her?” Brand asked. “After she nearly drowned you both?”
Dillon glared at his brother. “It was an accident. And yes, I’m going to keep her—continue our date through a meal, whether it’s here or in Austin. Depending on how my brothers behave.”
Brand held up his hands. “Just saying, BODS got it wrong. She doesn’t fish, has never ridden a horse and probably likes cats more than dogs.” He shook his head. “No use continuing down a dead-end path.”
His hand tightening around the bottle of beer, Dillon’s eyes narrowed. “She’s not a dead end,” he said. “She’s pretty, really nice and means well. Which is more than I can say for you.”
“I could say that about any golden retriever,” Colton said and chugged the rest of his beer, setting the bottle on the rail beside him. “The question I have is, is she someone you can see yourself with for the long-term?”
“If you mean do I want to take her out again?” Dillon shrugged. “Maybe.”
Colton whooped. “Hot damn, he’s in love.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Dillon said, though his pulse quickened, and his chest grew tight at the thought. “I’ve only known her for less than twenty-four hours.”
“You’ve heard of love at first sight,” Ace said with a grin.
“We were in the dark at our first meeting,” Dillon said. “I couldn’t even see her. It doesn’t count.”
“I heard cheering,” a voice said from the door. “Did I miss the excitement?” Ariana stepped out, wearing her long skirt, yellow, sleeveless sweater and boots. Her damp hair curled against her cheeks and across her shoulders, drying in the afternoon sun.
Dillon shook his head. “We were just celebrating the fact Colton had a thought. It’s the first one he’s had all year.” He winked. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“What are you having?” she asked.
“Beer,” he said. “I’m sure Emma has wine somewhere. Or if you don’t like alcohol, we can offer you tea or a soda.”
“I’ll have a beer,” she said.
Dillon turned to go back inside.
“I can get it,” Ariana said. “I’m not good at fishing, but I can find my way around a kitchen. Just tell me where you keep the beer; I can get it myself.”
“Stay,” Emma said, waving a hand. “I’ll get it. I need to grab the plates and silverware, anyway.”
“I can help,” Ariana offered.
“Thank you, but I have help.” Emma smiled up at Coop as he followed her through the door.
The sound of his sister’s giggle made Dillon smile. He was glad she’d found Coop. She’d spent far too long grieving for Marcus after his death. She deserved to be happy. Coop made her happy.
Though Emma had had to drag him into the matchmaking idea, Dillon truly hoped that he’d come out the other side as content as his sister.
His gaze went to Ariana. Could she be the one, despite BODS’ malfunction? He hadn’t thought the whole computer picking his match thing was legitimate to begin with. He’d rather take his chances and find a partner on his own. Since he’d already started work on his house, now might be a good time to look for a bride to help him fill it with love and the patter of little feet. Could Ariana be that bride he’d imagined himself with?
She wasn’t tall and willowy like he’d imagined for himself, but he liked her dark red hair and her soft hazel eyes. And he liked the way her cheeks filled with color when she was embarrassed. Most of all, he liked how easily he could talk with her. He didn’t feel like he had to be on all the time. She made him feel comfortable but, at the same time, physically excited by her nearness. When he’d kissed her, the dynamics of his feelings for her had changed entirely.
Now, he had a hard time thinking about anything else but kissing her again.
“Who’s ready for a steak?” Ace asked. “The corn and potatoes are done. I could use some help carrying the food inside to the dining room.”
Ariana hurried down the porch steps and held out her hands.
Ace set a tray filled with foil covered cobs of corn in her hands. She smiled and turned toward the house.
Dillon took the tray of steaks and followed her inside. “First door on your right,” he said.
Ariana entered the dining room and set the tray of corn in the middle of the table on a trivet.
The table has been set for seven people. Dillon pulled out the chair next to the seat he normally occupied. “You can sit beside me.”
Ariana smiled about him. “Thanks.”
Ace came in carrying a tray fill with baked potatoes wrapped in foil. He set it on the table and stood behind the seat at the head of the table while he waited for everyone else to enter the dining room.
Emma and Coop were the last to enter. They each carried glasses filled with ice water and set them beside the plates on the table.
Emma smiled. “Let’s eat.”
Dillon held the chair for Ariana. When she sat, he scooted the chair forward and took a seat beside her.
Emma took Coop’s hand and looked around the table. “I know I don’t do this very often, but would you mind if I said a prayer?”
Ace grinned. “Knock yourself out, Sis.”
“Let’s all join hands,” she said, and waited a moment for everyone to join hands. “Dear Lord, thank you for this food we are about to eat. And Lord, we understand you have a plan for us. Please help us to accept your plan and go with it, whether it was what we anticipated or is something fresh and unexpected. Help us to make good choices and to be happy. Amen.”
Everyone at the table echoed “amen” and released hands.
Dillon shot a glance at his sister. Was the prayer meant for him and Ariana? Was she telling them to ignore the fact that BODS had made a mistake? Did she want them to continue dating?
Emma smiled at Dillon. “You know we have a Hellfire firefighter picnic next Saturday at the county fairgrounds. You should bring Ariana.”
“I don’t know.” The last thing Dillon wanted to do was hang around a bunch of people in the sunshine playing silly games, when he could be alone with Ariana somewhere more private. Even the pond sounded like a better idea.
“It’s a lot of fun.” Emma turned toward Ariana. “We play games, eat, mingle and get to know each other. And it’s a fundraiser for the voluntee
r fire department in Hellfire. They do this once a year to raise money for the new equipment they desperately need.”
“I need to look at my calendar,” Ariana hedged.
“Me, too,” Dillon said. “I have a project that’s behind. I’m taking off this weekend, but I’m not sure I can take off next weekend, too.”
“Well, you two think about it. It would be nice to support the firefighters. They’re mostly volunteers, who give up their own time to help the community,” Emma said.
“We’ll be there,” Colton said.
“Speak for yourself,” Brand muttered.
“He’ll be there,” Ace said. “And so will I. The firefighters need the equipment. The least we can do is help them out.”
The rest of the meal passed with Dillon’s brothers picking at each other good-naturedly.
Dillon worried that they would scare off Ariana, but she laughed and joke with the best of them, even getting in a good jab or two that made his brothers smile.
When they were finished, Coop and Emma insisted on doing the dishes while the rest of them headed back to the porch.
Dillon leaned against a post while Ariana sat on the top step of the stairs.
I-lean, the black and white barn cat with three good legs and one missing a foot leaped up onto the porch, chased by Ruger, Ace’s Australian Shepherd.
“Hey, boy,” Ace squatted down and pulled the big dog into his arms, ruffling his fur. “Where have you been all day?”
“Terrorizing that poor cat, I’m sure,” Colton said.
“You don’t terrorize cats, do you, Ruger,” Ace said, scratching the dog’s belly.
With the dog otherwise occupied, the cat slowly limped across the porch, pausing only slightly at each man seated in rocking chairs or leaning against the rail. She didn’t stop until she reached Ariana. I-Lean rubbed up against Ariana, purring like a motorboat engine.
Ariana held out her hand to the animal. “Hey, sweetie, is that big ol’ dog getting all the attention?”
I-Lean rubbed her chin against Ariana’s hand and let her scratch her behind the ears.
“I’ll be damned,” Brand said. “That cat doesn’t like anybody.”
“What’s her name?” Ariana asked, looking up at Brand and Dillon.
“Her name is I-Lean, on account of the fact she has only three good feet,” Ace said.
“Poor baby.” Ariana frowned. “How did she lose the foot?”
“We don’t know,” Dillon said. “She appeared in the barn one day the way you see her now. She could have been born that way or lost it in a cat fight. We’ll never know.”
“You like cats?” Colton asked.
Dillon shot him a narrow-eyed glare. One he hoped Ariana wouldn’t see.
“I do,” Ariana said. “I always wanted one, but my parents were allergic.”
Brand sat in a rocking chair with his arms crossed over his chest. “What about dogs?”
Ariana smiled at Ruger. “I like them, too. Although, I’ve never owned one. The closest thing to a pet I ever owned was a goldfish I won at a county fair.”
Colton raised an eyebrow toward Dillon.
Dillon’s frown increased. If looks could kill, his brother would be dead.
“What do you think about the cliché that opposites attract?” Brand asked.
Dillon almost threw his hands in the air. Couldn’t his brothers give it a rest?
“I think it makes sense,” Ariana said. “I believe in balance. Nature has a way of correcting things that get out of balance. I think people need a person to balance them.” She smiled. “My grandparents were a perfect example. He was a very grumpy man. She was a complete optimist. Her optimism balanced his grumpiness. My father was an introvert. My mother an extrovert. They balanced each other.”
“Have you ever been around cattle?” Colton asked.
Dillon pushed away from the rail. “Look, Ariana isn’t here to confront the inquisition. I only brought her out for a day on the ranch and to do a little fishing. That’s it. She’s not interviewing for the job of a ranch hand or anything else.”
“They’re not bothering me,” Ariana said with a smile. “It’s flattering that they’re interested enough to ask me questions.” She turned to Colton. “And no, I’ve never been around farm animals. I grew up in Austin, in an urban setting. But I love animals, and I like to learn about them.”
“Now that you know all there is to know about Ariana, we’ll be heading back to Austin,” Dillon held out his hand to Ariana. “Ready?”
She laid her hand in his and let him draw her to her feet.
He circled his arm around her waist, wanting to protect her from his brothers’ annoying questions.
Ace nodded toward the cat. “I think you’ve found a friend in I-Lean.”
Ariana smiled. “She’s beautiful. I hope Ruger doesn’t hurt her.”
“Don’t worry about I-Lean. She’s scrappy. She lets Ruger chase her,” Ace said. “When she’s had enough, she stands her ground, and he backs off.”
“I’m glad she has that ability. When you’re smaller, you learn to use your strengths to stand up for yourself.” She looked Colton square in the eye. “I’m short, but, like I-Lean, I’m scrappy. I know you’re only looking out for the best interests of your brother, so I don’t take offense to your questions. You want to know more about me in case your brother and I decide to go out again.”
She lifted her chin. “I’m five-feet-two-inches, my hair really is red, it’s not out of a bottle, and I like cats and dogs and children. I hope to have some of each someday. Until then, I’m happy teaching meditation techniques to stressed out corporate executives, stay-at-home housewives and soldiers with PTSD. I also teach yoga, which might not impress you, but it’s another way I learned to get my balance back after the loss of my husband to cancer.”
Ariana faced Ace. “Thank you for a lovely dinner and good company. If you have any more questions for me, Emma has my number. Give me a call. I’m an open book. I believe in being honest.” She looked up at Dillon. “I’m ready.”
Dillon grinned, hooked her arm and led her down the stairs. When he reached the bottom, he looked over his shoulder at his brothers, who were all watching Ariana as she walked toward his pickup. They didn’t have to say anything. They had the look on their faces that said they’d been schooled, and they were impressed.
“Leaving already?” Emma asked as she came out onto the porch.
“Need to get Ariana back to her vehicle before they tow it out of the coffee house parking lot,” Dillon said.
“That’s a shame,” Emma said. “If you stay just a few more minutes, you can watch the sunset. It’s pretty amazing out here.”
“I’ll bring her out another time for the sunset,” Dillon said.
“Thanks for cooking. Dinner was great,” Ariana said.
“Thank you. We’re glad you stayed.” Emma smiled. “Will we see you back tonight, Dillon?”
He shook his head. “I’ll stay in Austin tonight at the condo.” Dillon opened the door for Ariana, gripped her around her waist and lifted her up into the cab.
She smiled down at him. “You make that look easy.”
“It is.”
“Well, thank you.” She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his forehead, careful not to touch the bruise from the boat flipping. “I’m sorry I flipped the boat.”
“I’m not. We got to spend a few short minutes alone together.” He moved around the truck and climbed behind the steering wheel.
“But you nearly drowned,” she said, continuing their conversation.
“It was worth it to me.” He gave her a crooked grin. Once they passed through the ranch gate and turned onto the highway, he frowned. “No brothers around to annoy the hell out of us.”
“Your brothers and sister care about you,” she said softly. “You’re lucky to have them.”
He looked her direction again. “That’s right, you didn’t have any siblings.”
“
No. I always wanted brothers and sisters.” She stared out the window. “And when I do have children, I won’t have just one. Children need siblings.”
He nodded. “I have to agree. I can’t imagine a life growing up without all of mine. We were never bored. Still, there are times I like my space.”
She laughed. “I’ll remember to flip a boat again when you want to be alone.”
“With you,” he added. “How about tomorrow?”
Her brow dipped. “What about tomorrow? You want me to flip a boat again?”
“No, but I figure we only have a day, maybe not even that long, until Leslie fixes BODS, and we have to meet our perfect match. How would you like to buck the system and go out with me again? I promise to take you to something more in line with what you like to do.”
“I loved going fishing,” she said. “I didn’t even mind going swimming, once I knew you were okay.”
“Yeah, but I want to do something you’re familiar with, so you’re not put into an uncomfortable position.”
Her brow twisted. “I have a yoga class tomorrow in the morning, but the rest of the afternoon is free.”
“Yoga?” He grimaced. “Do you have room for another student?”
She laughed. “I do, but are you sure you want to join the class? It’s all older women. We take it really slow and easy.”
“I get along really well with older women. My mother was an older woman.” His smile faded. “I don’t have to wear yoga pants or a leotard, or anything like that, do I?”
“No. You can wear shorts and a T-shirt.” She stared at him. “The ladies will be delighted. Be warned, though, they might get a little giddy around a good-looking man.”
“I’ll bring my back-off spray. What time?” he asked.
“It’ll be early—nine in the morning. It gives them time to shower and change before church.”
The drive back to Austin took only thirty minutes. The evening traffic had calmed, and they made it to the coffee house with no problems.
After Dillon helped Ariana down from her seat, he held on around her waist. “I’m glad my date turned out to be you,” he said.
“After sitting in traffic, waiting for a wreck to clear, my stomach was knotted and I dreaded meeting a stranger,” she said. “When you turned around, I felt better immediately.” She leaned up on her toes and brushed her lips across his. “Thank you for being there.”
