Read Online Once Burned by Suzie O'Connell - Free Book Online

to catch up on the sleep she’d lost. Having satisfied her duties as a bridesmaid, she didn’t feel too guilty, either, and followed Henry into the main house. She quickly gathered her belongings, and then they headed out to his truck.
    They were quiet on the short drive to Vince and Evie’s home, and Lindsay wasn’t sure how to ask Henry to come in let alone how to invite him to sleep with her.
    Is asking for sex always this awkward, or is it just me? she wondered.
    Too soon, Henry pulled up in front of the cabin and shut the truck down, then climbed out and walked around to help her out. The confidence that had bolstered her last night and today evaporated, and she was suddenly overcome by shyness. Henry must have sensed it because he turned to face her with concern pinching his brows together. After a moment, he took her hand and led her up the flagstone path.
    They were nearly to the door when he stopped and turned her to face him. “I feel like I’m getting ahead of myself with my ideas for your vacation,” he said. “I don’t know what you expect of me except that you said earlier you were enjoying feeling like a girl instead of your son’s mother. So, I guess before I ask you out on a date, I—”
    “You mean, a date other than Luke’s football game?”
    “Yes. I need to ask what you want out of this, Lindsay.”
    She didn’t answer for a moment and considered how best to answer his question. She thought back to what had driven her to join him for a drink last night and reviewed their initial conversation. Recalling his remark about not wanting to land himself in trouble for buying some man’s woman a drink, she said slowly, “I have spent so much time alone or being Noah’s mom that I’m starting to forget that I’m more than that. I guess what I want is to remember what it’s like to be someone’s woman for a little while… even if it isn’t real.”
    Henry frowned, silent, and Lindsay chewed on her bottom lip. Had she turned him off? To this point, he seemed to have appreciated her frankness, but if she’d gone too far, he certainly wouldn’t be the first man to tuck tail and run. Defensively, she said, “I know I have no right to ask that of you, and I completely understand if you want to back out of… whatever you want to call this thing we’ve started.”
    “I don’t want to back out,” he said firmly. “To be honest, spending some time with you might make me remember that not every woman is like Mel. If I haven’t said it yet, I truly do appreciate your candidness and your independent spirit.”
    “You’re one of the few who do, then.”
    “Now I’m certain you’ve been dating the wrong men.” He paused, and in the bright moonlight, his grin was plainly visible. “So, how about that date?”
    “What do you have in mind?”
    “Showing you a good time in Montana. I know Vince and Evie have a swim party at the Ramshorn planned for tomorrow, but I thought I’d start you off with a trip to Virginia City on Monday. It’s about an hour and a half from here, and I think you’ll enjoy the Virginia City players. Live theater with an air of vaudeville. It’s always a good time, especially the variety show they put on after the play.”
    “Sounds like a lot of fun.”
    “Then dinner with my folks. Sorry, I can’t get of that, but I’d like you to join me.”
    “Meeting your folks already?”
    “Well, you did say you wanted to feel like someone’s woman, and I’m pretty sure that involves meeting the parents.”
    Laughing softly, she nodded, unable to argue with that logic.
    “And since you’re a self-professed tomboy, I bet you’d enjoy a horseback ride across the ranch, some crystal digging, and an exploration of our local ghost towns.”
    “Is that all?” she inquired, trying uselessly to keep her face from breaking into a broad grin.
    “Nope. If you’re up for it, I’d like to take you on a ride on my Harley later in the week because that’s the best way to