“I’m surprised you even know that,” Peyton replied with a soft smile, her amusement was clear on her face. She had more than ten years on him and she couldn’t even claim to know that song, probably wouldn’t have even recognized it if Christien hadn’t named it. “Might want to try the theme for The Lone Ranger too.”
Peyton only shrugged her shoulders when he assured that she sounded better than she let on. She hadn’t been looking for the assurance, but it was sweet of him to say it. “I don’t need to be good at everything, it might go to my head that way.” Something her mama used to try to instill in her kids; humility was always more well received than cockiness. “And you’re welcome.”
One of the horses a few stalls down made some noise and Peyton angled her head to try and figure if it was something she needed to look into. Usually she wouldn’t have been concerned, but even though the stable was secure she still had that fear that something might get in.
“Still, I should let you answer one before I bombard you with more.” It made her wonder what kind of friends he had if he was used to a barrage of questions. “I wouldn’t want someone rapid-fire questioning me.” If only because it would feel so similar to the pageants that she used to do, or every go-see she had attended. Neither of those things carried too many fond memories.
Pulling her lips in to try and hide a knowing smile, she nodded at what he’d said. “A game of one-up, it sounds like.” That she was more familiar with. Some of the cowboys she’d been around were always trying to outdo the others. “If it’s not one of your favorites, and you wouldn’t play it for anyone else knowingly, then why are you playing it?” Peyton was only trying to understand, not create an accusation or make Christien seem like she was passing a judgement on him. “It’s a beautiful song, even if it is a little sad.” The way he had played it had made her feel like there was a sense of longing behind the words.
Then realization dawned on her. She’d seen him with Hadley Stone, and maybe she was jumping to a conclusion, but it didn’t seem too out there to think that maybe Christien liked her.