She mentioned seeing you and Eloise together. Frank kept his gaze on the road as if indifferent, but there was no missing his knowing grin.
We were having a cool drink after fetching the horses. No big deal.
No big deal. Sure, I get that. Except the two of you were holding hands.
Nothing was private in a small town. Sean chuckled. Looks are deceiving. Cady saw me comforting a friend, that was all.
A friend. If thats what you want to call her, fine by me. Uncle Franks ear-to-ear grin said he knew differently.
He would be wrong. Eloise has had a tough time. We were talking about it. Friends do that.
You dont need to convince me.
As if that were even possible. It looked as if his uncle had already made up his mind. Sean shifted on the seat to watch a hawk glide by over the long stretch of field. He and Eloise knew the truth. On the rebound?
He shook his head. It would take a long time before he would be ready to jump in and risk a romantic relationship, rebound or not.
Talk turned to the subjects of the ranch and family until town came into view. The truck rolled to a stop in front of the diners wide picture windows and a familiar fall of straight golden hair and a cute profile drew his attention. Eloise sat at a booth with a fork poised in midair, listening intently to something her dinner partner said.
Dinner partner. Seans brain clicked into gear. Her date. She was on a blind date this evening. He frowned at the guy who wore a white dress shirt and dark slacks and had a wholesome, all-American look to him. Sean bristled. He didnt trust that guy. He unlatched his seat-belt, opened the door and dropped to the ground. On the other side of the sun-streaked glass, she turned toward the window, toward him, and her gaze arrowed to his.
Surprise flashed in her gentle green eyes before she returned her attention back to her dinner date. In that one moment he felt dismissed, a friend and not more, just as hed insisted on being.
Chapter Five
Hes coming into the diner! That single realization sent nerves zipping through Eloises stomach as she watched George cut what remained of his chicken-fried steak into tiny pieces. She trained her eyes on her dinner date but her attention slipped toward the opening door even if her gaze didnt. The door swung open and in the background Sean sauntered in. He planted his hands on his hips but he didnt glance her way. His mile-wide shoulders squared as he ambled down the far aisle with his uncle and out of her field of vision.