From the safety of her chaise lounge and her dark sunglasses, Cheyenne could watch Sheridan as much as she wanted to. The green tractor he drove was not full-sized, but it was big enough to handle both the big yard and Sheridan’s size. Time after time he looped the yard, circling around trees and bushes, until he finished, then he headed for the front yard, which made her sad, because she couldn’t watch him any more. The sun was setting and the lights flicked on in the pool.

It was truly a beautiful setting and as she rested her head back against the lounge, she could feel the tension of the week easing from her.

Cheyenne apparently dozed off, because when she next opened her eyes the pool was glass smooth and there was a light blanket draped over her legs. Sheridan sat in the chair beside her, playing on his phone.

Cheyenne smiled and stretched, feeling refreshed. And if Sheridan was here she knew the girls were okay. “I guess I was sleepy.”

Sheridan nodded, putting his phone on a side table. “I guess you were. I’m amazed the kids didn’t wake you up.”

She snorted. “Oh, believe me, they can be quiet little sneaks when they need to be.”

“They’re inside watching a movie right now.”

“Grace, too?”

“Yup.”

That was good.

“I wanted to talk to you about something, Cheyenne.”

Uh oh. She sat up, focusing on his face. “About Wade?”

Sheridan shook his head and removed the ball cap so he could run his hand through his sweat-darkened hair. He dropped the hat to the ground beside him.

“In a way.”

He gave her a long look. “I’m thinking about doing something that might make him move. This waiting game is probably making us more tense than him, so I want to change it up. What do you think about going out with me?”

For a moment her heart took off into a gallop, then she realized the direction he was going and she had to look away to hide the hurt in her eyes. “You think if we go on a date and be seen, it will get back to him?”

Sheridan gave her a single nod. “And it might make his possessive side howl.”

Cheyenne took a deep breath, thinking about what he said. He was probably right. “Okay.”

“You know,” he said thoughtfully, “I’ve been wanting to ask you out for a long time. But this isn’t the way I wanted it to happen.”

Her heart bolted into overdrive again, and she felt like she was going to pass out. She was very glad she was sitting down. “You wanted to ask me out?” she repeated faintly.

He gave her a crooked smile. “I’ve wanted to ask you out for a long time, Cheyenne but I knew you’d say no.”

Wincing, she gave him a narrow-eyed look. “You’re probably right, but that’s only because I haven’t dated anyone since Wade. I’ve told everyone no.”

His mouth dropped open a little and she could tell he was stunned. She shrugged uncomfortably. “I just didn’t want to.”

Blinking, he turned to look out over the pool and yard. “Well, we can nix the dating idea then.”

“No,” she said quickly. “I think it’s sound.”

His gaze searched her face, as if looking for truth. “Really?”

“Yes. And just so you know,” she whispered, “you’re the only one I’ve wanted to date since Wade.”

The creases around his eyes deepened as he smiled. “Well, that makes me feel better then. Maybe we’ll go on the ruse date this weekend, then a real one when he’s gotten it through his thick head that you’re not coming back to him, and it will just be for us, no one else.”

Tears flooded her eyes again and she felt ridiculous, but he knew what she needed. “So, where are you going to take me for this awesome date?”

Laughing, he sat back on the chaise. “I’m not sure. Is Sophia’s too easy?”

“I’m not sure,” she laughed. “I know I need to talk to Mama and Daddy about all this, especially if we’re going out like this. I don’t want them getting the wrong idea.”

“What’s the wrong idea?”

“That we’re doing it for any reason other than to fish for Wade’s reaction.”

Sheridan shrugged. “Even if it is for him I plan on enjoying myself at least a little bit. You can tell them why we’re doing it, but I wouldn’t let anyone else know. Would it embarrass you to be seen with me?”

Heat flooded heat through her cheeks. “Of course not! I just … don’t want you to be locked into anything you don’t want to be.”

Frowning, Sheridan turned to face her again. “Did you not hear me say I’ve wanted to date you for a while now? Years, in fact. And if the ruse date leads to a real date, then possibly more, would that be so bad? I’m not going to lie, Cheyenne, living with you and the girls this week, and coming home to you tonight, has been amazing. I loved being married to my wife when she was here, and I miss that. Don’t you miss having someone to rely on and talk to? And love?”

A tear rolled down her cheek, then another and another, until she couldn’t dash them away fast enough. When Sheridan’s strong arms wrapped around her, she let herself lean on him. “I do miss that,” she whispered.

“I’m not trying to make you feel bad or anything. I’m just trying to get you to leave your options open. Okay?”

She nodded against his chest, and eventually pulled back. Sheridan used his thumbs to wipe her cheeks, then leaned forward a pressed a slow, gentle kiss to her lips. Then another.

Cheyenne gasped, her heart thundering in her chest as she finally tasted Sheridan’s soft lips. Oh, he was lovely. In spite of herself, Cheyenne turned her head the tiniest bit, asking for more.

A strong hand cupped her head, and for a moment there was a split second of panic. He was so very strong. He could probably snap her neck like this if he wanted to.

Sheridan was not that kind of man though. The strength in his hands was used for good, and putting criminals away. And playing with her girls and throwing balls for the dogs. She needed to remember that. There was no way he would ever hurt her or the girls.

For the first time in years, she actually let herself go. Opening her mouth, she invited him inside, something she never thought she’d do with another man.

Sheridan groaned and for one wild moment, he let himself go as well, kissing her as deeply as he could, licking at her, nibbling. Then, so reluctantly she could feel him quiver, he pulled back. Making sure she was steady in her seat, he also let her face go.

Cheyenne licked her lips, learning— and loving— his taste.

“That escalated quickly. Sorry.”

Sitting back in his chair, he crossed one ankle over his knee, then leaned on his elbows. Cheyenne thought perhaps he was hiding himself from her, and she fought a smile.

Payton was right. People are sexual creatures.

* * *

Olivia wasn’t wild about the babysitting idea, but when he promised to take her driving next week sometime, she became much more agreeable.

“Besides,” he told her. “It’s during the day. It’s not like you’re missing seeing your friends or anything.”

Sheridan and Cheyenne had decided on a lunch date at Sophia’s, on a Saturday afternoon, a notoriously hard time to get into the restaurant. Saturdays were social days for the people of Honeywell. The farmer’s market on the square would be open, which always drew a lot of people, and yard sales were usually going on.

“So, you’re going on a date with her,” Olivia murmured.

He’d wondered if this would be a stumbling block.

“Yes, I am. What are your thoughts?”

Olivia swung her hair over her shoulder and tipped up her chin. They were sitting on her bed downstairs. She wore a pair of sleep pants and a t-shirt adorned with printed feathers of all shapes and sizes. This year her face had gotten lean from volleyball practice, and Sheridan could see what a beauty she was going to be when she matured. She would look very much like Eleanor.

Blinking, she rested her head on her upturned knee. “I guess it will be okay.”

She gave him a sidelong look. “It’s probably been a while since you got laid.”

Sheridan chuckled. “Not something I’m going to talk to you about.”

She grinned and shrugged. “Cheyenne is okay. I like the girls, although they’re kind of irritating.”

“You’re a teenager— that makes everyone irritating.”

“Yeah, true. And I guess they aren’t as irritating as some.”

Sheridan supposed that was as much approval as he was going to get. Leaning over he pressed a kiss to her head and pulled her in for a squeeze. “Thank you, O patient one. I love you, love bug.”

“Love you too, Daddy.”

As he stepped through the door Olivia called him back and he ducked his head in.

“Dad? I think Mom would have liked her too.”

Sheridan clenched his jaw at the wise words from his teen. “Yes, I think you’re right. Night, honey.”

* * *

Olivia fought the tears in her eyes. It was hard missing someone so much. It seemed like there was no ease to it, it just kept going on.

Her mom had been gone a long time. Years. But it felt like it had been yesterday. Olivia could still feel her mother stroking her hair as she lay in bed, and the feel of her hugs. She had so many questions she wanted answered about life, death, love, the future… but she didn’t have anyone close enough to ask. Her dad was great, really but such a guy, she wanted to talk with a mom sometimes. The grandparents were okay, but she didn’t get a chance to see them much. One set had moved to Houston, and the other Florida. There had been mention about going out to see her mother’s parents in Florida this summer, but she wasn’t going to hold her breath. Seemed like there was a lot of other stuff going on right now.

Olivia liked Cheyenne. She’d tried not to, but the woman was really nice, thoughtful without making a big deal about things. She’d made lasagna and winked at her as she set the plate in front of Olivia. It had almost been as good as her mother’s, she had to admit. Then, earlier today she’d found a stack of clean laundry on her bed, as well as a book. It was by an author Olivia loved, and she’d just finished the previous book. Olivia had let out a not-so-mature squeal and dove right into it.

Mom would tell her to thank Cheyenne for the lovely gift. She still needed to do that.

And the girls weren’t so bad, really. She’d thought it would be annoying to have them all around but it was so much better than being in this big house all alone so much. They were fun and it was nice being looked up to like she was the big sister or something. They would play in the pool tomorrow and veg.

And she would remember to thank Cheyenne for the book.