“Squirrels aren’t as cute when their tails aren’t fluffy.”
“I agree.” Pressing my ear to the door, I listen. There’s no movement. No panicked running. “Here goes nothing.”
Quick as I can, I open the bathroom, slide in the trap, and slam the door. Based on the sounds inside, the slamming door woke up the little guy.
Seconds stretch into minutes as I wait for the spring of the trap.
When the snap sounds, Bluebonnet grins. “It worked.”
“He’s not outside yet.” I open the door a crack and peek inside, ensuring the squirrel isn’t springing a trap on me. But no, that critter is turning circles in the trap and chewing on the metal bars. “Okay, buddy, outside you go.”
I carry the trap out the front door, then close it. I don’t want this guy getting any ideas and trying to get back into my cabin.
“This is what’s going to happen. I’m going to lift this part, and then you’ll be free. And tomorrow, after I have time to run to the store, I’ll set out a bowl of treats for you over there on the corner of the porch.”
I lift the trap door, and the fuzzy squirrel runs out and gives a few tail flicks before scampering away.
“Thanks, but don’t ever do that again.” I make sure not to yell because people are sleeping in the cabins around me.
“Treats, huh?”
I spin around and Bluebonnet is standing on the porch. When did she walk outside?
“He seemed a little traumatized.” I point up at the roof. “And I’ll get some screen and cover those plumbing vents so that this never happens again.”
“I’d greatly appreciate that.” She wraps her arms around me when I step onto the porch. “What do you say we go back to bed?”
“Yes.” I’ll be buying that squirrel a huge bag of sunflower seeds.
Chapter 25
Bluebonnet
Iwake up to Dumplin’ smiling at me. His hair is tousled, and he’s never looked more handsome. Maybe that’s just because I’m seeing him through different eyes this morning.
He brushes a finger on my cheek. “Sleep well?”
“I did. Best night in a long time.”
His smile widens.
Now I know what Paisley meant when she asked me to promise. And while I haven’t been walling Parker off, there are some areas where I haven’t invited him in. But with the shift in our relationship, I’m going to follow through on my promise to Paisley.
“Tomorrow, I have an appointment. It’s short notice, but if you could manage to get away from the ranch, would you like to go with me? It’s a routine check to make sure everything is progressing normally.”
“Yeah, I would like to go. I’ll talk to Clint, but I think I can swing it. Text me the details and I’ll talk to him after breakfast.”
Hesitantly, I lean in closer and graze my lips on his. “And we’ll get to hear the heartbeat.”
He pulls me close. Every kiss feels new and different. What starts with tenderness morphs into something more consuming. When he pulls back, his hand stays on my hip. “You were planning to go alone?”
“I didn’t want to bother you or mess up your work schedule. I went to the last one alone. But I decided to let you make that choice. I won’t be hurt if you don’t go.”
“I’ll be there. I want to go with you.” He glances at the time, then presses a kiss to my forehead. “If I don’t get out of bed now, I’ll miss breakfast. And that will have me grumpy all day.”
When Parker is grumpy, he uses grunts instead of words and doesn’t sing while he’s working. I don’t want to be the reason he isn’t his normal happy self. And if I stay here any longer, I’ll make him late for breakfast.
After giving him a quick peck, I throw back the covers and roll out of bed. We’ll have all evening to enjoy time together and do more of what we did last night. Hopefully, work goes by quickly.
