He looked at her, waiting. “Go on.”
“Oh.” Her groan was pure exasperation. “You make me so...so...”
“Infuriated?” He didn’t remember moving closer to her. Had she closed the distance? “Frustrated?”
“Yes and yes.” Her eyes were blazing now.
“Believe me, the feelings are mutual.” His breath caught as she licked her lips.
“Then why are you staring at my mouth?” It was a whisper.
He was so stunned, he wasn’t sure what to do. One minute, he was processing what she’d said, the next he was reeling from the shock of her body flush against his. Her lips, soft as silk, brushed across his in invitation.
He didn’t pause to think. Fool or not, this was what he wanted. He twined his arms around her waist as her hands gripped the back of his neck. His hands slid up to cradle her face, to tilt her head back for more. And when her lips parted for him, he shuddered at the stroke of her tongue against his.
“Oh my.” Violet Taggert, Everett’s mother, stood in the now open door.
For a minute, he and Tansy were frozen. Dammit. Their ragged breathing echoed inside the barn. This was real. This had happened. Tansy had no-holds-barred kissed him. And it had been good. Better than good. But now, even though Tansy was still leaning on him, he had to let her go.Dammit all to hell.
“Oh my?” Willadeene Svoboda came inside as he and Tansy jumped apart. “What’s happening here?”
He had nothing, nothing. No words would come. He was acutely aware of how empty his arms felt—and how rapidly his heart was thumping.
“They were putting the ladder away.” Violet shot him a look. “For a minute, I thought Tansy might fall over.” The next time she had him alone, Violet was going to give him an earful about this, he could tell.
Willadeene looked downright gleeful as she said, “It looked to me like Dane caught her.” Her smile grew. “No wonder you’re both so red-faced. That’s one heavy ladder.”
Well, shit.Had she seen them or was she guessing? He didn’t dare look Tansy’s way.
“We have food.” Violet waved them out. “The kids are getting everything set up.”
“It’s so nice that they don’t need constant...supervision, isn’t it?” Willadeene glanced back and forth between them. Whether or not she’d actually seen a thing, the eager sparkle in her beady eyes suggested she was already concocting shareable scenarios to take with her. Nothing she came up with could come close to the truth.
That kiss... He could still taste her on his lips. He should be cursing himself instead of wanting more. He did, though. He wanted more.
But next time, they’d have to be more careful.Next time. He risked a glance Tansy’s way and grinned. It was a relief to see she was as rattled as he was, her answering smile quick, nervous—and gone. “They’re a great group of kids.” Tansy’s eyes locked with his.
There was no need to ask what she was thinking. It was there on her face—in her hazel-green eyes. The same look she’d worn that day at Elginston when Willadeene had shown up.Don’t worry, I’ll behave. He gave her a slight nod.
Blankets and quilts were collected from trunks and truck beds, the work area was straightened up so everyone could sit, and, using a little elbow grease, Dane managed to pry open the old spigot alongside the barn so everyone could wash their hands.
Violet popped the hatch on her vehicle. “We saw the sign driving down the highway.” She smiled. “Dane and Tansy, it’s good of you to step in so this project could get done in time for the Honey Festival.”
“Of course. Especially with the influx of out-of-towners they’re expecting.” Tansy glanced at him, nibbling on the inside of her lip.
It took everything he had not to stare at her mouth. “They’ve done most of the work.” Dane carried two large insulated bags to the table under the tree.
Violet followed, sliding the handles of another insulated bag onto her shoulder. “Ah, youth. I remember those days.”
Dane grinned. Violet was more alert and sprier than most women half her age. She and her husband, Leland, owned and operated a dairy goat farm—they both worked hard all day, every day, and Dane respected the hell out of them. All five of the Taggert children had the same work ethic and zest for life, Everett included.
Dane watched as the kids lined up, took turns getting their food and water bottles, and found places to sprawl on the blankets spread out in the shade of the oak tree. They were tired and hot but their spirits were high.
“Nice weather for it today.” Violet shielded her eyes and stared up at the powder blue sky. “I’m thinking it’ll be a scorcher before you’re all done, though.”
“Not a cloud in the sky.” Willadeene nodded.
“It’s already on the warm side.” Dane plucked his damp T-shirt from his chest. “Someone needs to complain to management. I think the air-conditioning is out.”
