New Year, New Man. Natalie Anderson

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      He gave a deep chuckle and switched the truck into gear. “Is country music okay?”

      “Fine.” Anything to fill the charged silence.

      He swung onto the road and turned on the radio, drumming his fingers on the console in time with a song.

      Sara kept her gaze focused on the scenery rolling by and soon lost herself in the beauty of the mountains. Driving in from California, she’d been so consumed with what she’d find that she’d given little thought to the jagged peaks that framed the interstate. Now she had time to take in the mountains that had been carved out to create this road through them. She thought about the hours of work it must have taken—the blood, sweat and tears of the men who built it. Her own life felt even more insignificant in comparison.

      “It’s humbling, isn’t it?” Josh asked, as if reading her thoughts.

      Sara blinked several times. “How did you know that’s what I was thinking about?”

      He pointed toward the front window. “It’s hard not to, driving through here. The majesty of this place takes my breath away every time.”

      Sara nodded. “That’s exactly right. It makes me feel so small. But in a good way. Like nature is protecting us with its very mass. The things that make me feel little in my life don’t seem to matter when I’m faced with this type of beauty.”

      “I feel the same way,” Josh answered, his voice so soft she barely heard him.

      Sara felt the warmth of his glance and squirmed a bit in the seat. What happened to his anger from before? Anger was clear-cut, no questions. Not like the feelings his kindness produced in her.

      “Are the guys having a good time?” she asked, hoping for an easier subject.

      He smiled. “The best. Everything you planned is perfect.”

      A little zing tripped along her spine. “The questionnaire helps narrow down their interests. Your friends were easy. Anything loud, with lots of adrenaline.”

      “When does the next group come in?”

      “This weekend, only one day between them and your crew. It’s the family reunion. Age range from toddlers to the patriarch in his seventies.”

      “The old man who wants to catch a trout with his great-grandson as part of his bucket list?” Josh laughed. “No pressure on me.”

      “You have a gift for leading the groups, Josh. Everything will be fine.”

      “I hope it’s enough to make it work.”

      She sighed. “Me, too,” she answered, unsure if she was talking about the ranch or her life.

      They talked easily the rest of the drive, about his life on the tour and the places he’d seen in his travels. The way he described them, those seconds in the ring reminded her of the way she felt the moment a director called, “Action,” the spotlight on her with adrenaline pumping. While a scene wasn’t life-or-death high stakes the way a ride on a thousand-pound animal could be, it had the same emotional letdown when it was over.

      Talking to Josh made her remember how much she’d loved the actual acting part of her job if she could leave behind the baggage that crowded her life.

      By the time they got to the shopping area, Sara felt relaxed. Claire’s excitement about the boutiques that lined the streets was contagious to the point that she’d almost forgotten her trepidation about a public outing.

      Josh dropped them along the block that looked the most interesting to Claire and went to park. Sara followed Claire into a store and to a rack of colorful sundresses near the front.

      “I love this,” Claire said on an excited breath, holding up a low-cut V-neck sundress with a deep back.

      Sara stifled a laugh at what Josh would think of that choice. She thumbed through the dresses and pulled out two with a more modest neckline. “I think one of these would be perfect.”

      Claire hesitated, then put the first dress back. “The blue one is pretty.”

      Sara’s sigh of relief was interrupted by a voice behind her. “Let me know if I can be of any help,” a saleslady purred. “We’re having a great summer sale on all dresses in the store.”

      Sara turned and met the woman’s critical gaze with a bright smile. “Thanks. Are the dressing rooms in the back?”

      To her surprise, the woman returned her smile. “Yes. Can I take those dresses for you?”

      “The blue one,” Sara answered, and released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Okay. That went well. One stranger down, dozens of others to go. She hated feeling so nervous and out of sorts, especially when Josh was along to watch her squirm.

      Claire’s squealing caught her attention.

      “This one,” the young girl said on a rapturous breath. Sara’s grin broadened at the soft pink fabric draped across Claire’s arm.

      “It’s beautiful,” she agreed.

      “What’s beautiful?” Josh asked at her shoulder.

      “Dad, look at this dress. I love, love, love it.”

      “Try it on then. Let’s see how it fits.”

      Claire practically ran toward the dressing room. “Be right back,” she called over her shoulder.

      “I don’t get women and shopping.”

      Sara turned to Josh, who looked more than uncomfortable standing between racks of feminine clothes. He adjusted the bill of his baseball cap lower on his face.

      Sara studied the color that crept up his neck. “Are you blushing?” she asked, and followed his gaze. “At a mannequin wearing a bra and panties?”

      “I don’t blush,” he argued, adjusting his cap again. “And I like to see a real woman wearing a bra and panties.” His gaze raked her. “I’d like to see you in a bra and panties.” He paused, then added softly, “Or out of them.”

      She swayed forward a fraction as her southern hemisphere revved to life. Glancing over her shoulder to make sure no one else had heard him, she pointed a finger at him. “You can’t say that here. Your daughter’s in the dressing room.”

      “I know where she is, and I can say whatever I want.” His big shoulders shrugged. “I’ve got to think of something interesting to keep me going today. You need a distraction, too. You’re wound like a top.”

      “I am not.” She followed his gaze and quickly let go of the wad of fabric bunched in her hand, placing the dress back on its hanger and smoothing her hand over it. “What happened to your attitude from the other night?”

      A Cheshire grin spread across his face. “I got a better one.”

      “I’m not sure this is any better. We agreed nothing will happen between us.”

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