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Rissa widened her eyes. “What?”
“You know what,” he said.
“I’m just inviting you to go riding with us.”
“Uh-huh.”
The picture of innocence Rissa was trying to present might have worked on someone who hadn’t spent the past hour watching her interact with her father, but Amanda wasn’t buying it. Grady Minor’s daughter had decided he needed help with his dating life, and Amanda had the distinct feeling she’d just become part of the plan.
But she wouldn’t complain. She might not be staying in the Rock, but there was no harm in enjoying more of Grady’s company while she was there.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Amanda stepped onto the porch just as Grady’s SUV pulled into the driveway. She’d been watching for him through the living room window for the past five minutes, although she’d deny that under oath.
After locking the front door behind her, she headed down the steps. A solid blanket of gray clouds covered the sky, but the forecast said no rain. The mid-April air was cool without being cold, comfortable enough for the fitted long-sleeved T-shirt she’d paired with jeans. She’d left her jacket inside but tied a hoodie around her waist in case the temperature dropped later.
The boots she’d brought from California weren’t meant for horseback riding, but they had a low heel and would hopefully keep her feet from sliding through the stirrups. Beyond that, she was relying on muscle memory and Rissa’s assurance that a person didn’t forget how to ride a horse.
Her ass remained skeptical.
Grady climbed out as she approached. Jeans hugged his long legs, and a dark gray Henley stretched across his broad chest and shoulders. The man didn’t need a uniform to make her appreciate the view. If anything, the casual clothes made it easier to notice just how well he filled them out.
His gaze traveled over her, lingering just long enough to tell her he liked what he saw.
Well, then.
He dipped his chin once. “Morning.”
“Morning.” She stopped beside the empty SUV. “Where’s Rissa?”
“Already at the rehab center. She took her own truck.”
“Thanks for picking me up.”
“It was either that or let you walk or call for a ride-share or taxi. Wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me either way.”
The corners of her mouth ticked upward. “And we can’t have that.”
“No, ma’am.”
He opened the passenger door for her, but instead of climbing in right away, Amanda rested one hand on the frame and stared up at him. “I’m looking forward to this. Although I reserve the right to change my mind tomorrow morning when muscles I forgot I had start protesting.”
His gaze dropped to the side curve of her ass before returning to her face, a decidedly wicked glint in his eyes. “I can massage them if you want.”
He winked, and Amanda’s eyebrows shot up.
Well, Sheriff Minor is feeling frisky this morning.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” She climbed into the SUV and pointed at him before he could close the door. “But when I’m crippled tomorrow, I’m still blaming your daughter.”
“I’ll make sure she knows.”
He rounded the front of the vehicle, and Amanda watched him through the windshield. She really needed to stop noticing how attractive the man was. Though she doubted that would happen anytime soon, given how he’d kissed her two nights ago.
A few moments later, they were heading out of town.
According to Grady, the rehab farm was about fifteen minutes away. Once they left Antelope Rock behind, houses became fewer and farther between, replaced by ranch land stretching toward distant hills.
