H
My heart swells.Do not faint.I can’t fathom this. It looks divine, beating the red apple I merely nibbled for breakfast.
I’m overwhelmed by his thoughtfulness and drooling at the springy middle when I hack off a slice with a bread knife. A smile teases my lips when I daydream about his return this afternoon, all sweaty and solid and manly - he won’t stand a chance when my arms wrap around his neck and I jump into his arms. Maybe I should bake some cookies to show my gratitude. I’ve never made anything remotely cookie like - except in school when I baked a sponge cake and used salt instead of honey.
Having toasted a slice of yummy bread and enjoyed a coffee blended with my now favorite oat milk, I set to work on cleaning the house. I quickly research the main steps and put all my knowledge to good practice. By the time I look at the clock, I realize I’ve been mopping, polishing and rearranging for hours. Hayden still hasn’t shown his handsome face.
I take a break from cleaning because it turns out that it’s hard work with long hours and little reward. My eyes squint when sunlight hits and I wander outside. A red truck pulls up alongside the horse barn, and then I see him. I feel like my feet have lifted off the wooden slats as I stand on tiptoes and clutch my heart. Hayden jumps out of the driver’s seat and Hank emerges from the other side of the cab. He doesn’t look over, even though I’m willing him too.
He wears pale denim jeans and a black tee. From a distance I can tell his muscles are flexed and his shoulders are strong like an ox as he effortlessly tosses a bale of hay onto the flatbed at the rear of his truck. This is my chance to thank him and remind him of our kiss.
Breathing in bursts, I prance across the yard. The closer I get, the more my pulse leaps. Suddenly, green eyes flick up. “Summer.” He nods his hatted head and glances at Hank.
“Hi, Hank.” I smile politely. “Can I get you two a cold drink?”
Hank rests his hands on his lower back and stretches. “I’d sure love a bottle of water. We have time to stop for a minute.”
Hayden doesn’t respond. His gloved hands curl around the twine tied to the hay, and his eyes stay lowered. “Sure.”
“How about something to eat?” I suggest.
“We’ve already eaten, sweetheart,” Hank replies.
I turn away, feeling a little lost in Hayden’s coldness. My feet hit the hard ground. Running back to the house, I grab two bottles of water and dash outside. When I approach the pair again, Hank accepts the bottle and swaggers into the barn for shade. Hayden rounds the truck and sits on a bail. “Thanks.” He takes the water from my hand, but his eyes stay hidden beneath his hat.
“Hayden...” I begin slowly. “Thank you for the presents.”
His head tips back, and I meet the intensity of his gaze. “That's not what I would call a present, but you’re welcome.”
The impulse to hug him passes when he looks away, like he’s not interested in talking anymore. “Well, it was very thoughtful, and I appreciate it. I really do.” The soles of my shoes crunch over the grit when I take a step.
“Summer.” He suddenly stands like a mountain of a man. “Tell me what else you need, and I’ll grab it the next time I’m in Dallas.”
“You went all the way to Dallas? Isn’t that miles away?” The guy went out of his way to find me dairy free alternatives… If he asks me to marry him, I’ll say yes.
He shrugs. “It’s the only place that sells that kinda stuff. I’ve asked the shop in Heartville to stock it from now on. They only buy on demand, so I ordered fifty bottles to give them an incentive. You'll not have to go to Dallas to get more of that oaty shit.”
“You did that for me?” Why would he do that, unless he was just a really nice guy with really good manners and a penchant for treating his staff well, or he likes me?
His head rotates to locate Hank. When he finds we’re alone, he rounds his shoulders. “I look after my staff, and…” He hesitates. “I wanted to apologize for kissing you.”
“Don’t apologize, Hayden. We both had a few drinks.” I sigh a little, knowing we’re back at the staff thing again. “You already told me it was a mistake.”
“I took advantage of you. That was the mistake. Not the actual kiss.”
“You didn’t take advantage of me. I was perfectly aware of my own actions,” I argue. “I’d happily let you kiss me again.” As I think about the kiss, I find myself tipping into him, drawn to those inviting lips of his that are luring me back for more.
Gentle scratching sounds come from the front of his truck. “Excuse me for a second.” I watch his slow saunter, casual and self-assured, with arms defined beneath the fabric of his tee, and those jeans of his held up with a tan leather belt to match his boots. It’s the kind of walk that has my thighs crossing and my libido soaring.
“I’ve gotcha, little one,” I hear him mutter. Hayden returns with a puppy in his arms, and I swear I’m about to faint. He’s so strong and manly, and now he’s cradling a small cute dog against his chest with a protective closeness. “Little one, this is Summer.”
“Omigod, Hayden. When did you get a puppy?” My hands fly out, and I prize the adorable pup from him.
“Wait… no,” he says sharply. “Don’t let her get attached to you, Summer.”
Stung by his biting tone, I look up at him. “Why not?”
“You’re not hanging around here for good. I don’t want her pining after you when the plane takes off.”
