Her words sting more than I’d like to admit, but I force myself to stay calm.
“I’m not trying to complicate anything,” I say. “I just think we should be honest about—”
“Honest about what?” she interrupts, straightening up and crossing her arms. “About a moment that didn’t mean anything? About something that never should have happened in the first place?”
“It didn’t feel like nothing. You know that you feel something, too.”
Her eyes flash, and her demeanor softens for just a split second before she shakes her head. “I don’t have time for this,” she says, turning back to her supplies. “There’s work to be done.”
“I’m sorry that I was such an ass to you. I…not only did I misjudge you and misunderstand why you left, but even before that, I turned my back on you when I shouldn’t have. I let this family feud cause me to shut you out, and that was hard because you and your family were also my family. It all hurt. I can’t imagine how you felt, though. And when your mama died, I should have reached out. I’m sorry that I have been such an asshole to you.”
She’s quiet. She won’t look me in the eye as she continues to fidget with her equipment. “Our mothers were friends. Not us. You decided…”
“I’m sorry that I was an ass,” I repeat as I reach out and touch her arm.
She freezes in place, staring at my hand on her arm as if she doesn’t know what’s happening.
I start to say something at the same time she does, but the sound of Caleb’s voice from the house stops me. “Hey, Dad! Do we have any more of those protein bars?”
“Check the pantry!” I call back, my eyes still on Sutton.
She moves away and doesn’t look at me again, her focus entirely on her equipment.
“I’ve been doing a lot of research on this, too. I think I can be of assistance.”
“You’re not going on herd checks with me. Caleb is a delight. You’re not.”
She doesn’t turn around or even look up from the box she’s going through. I chuckle inwardly.
My son has way better manners than I ever did at that age.
“I don’t want to go on herd checks. I have plenty to do here now that you’re taking one of my guys.”
“You can hire another one,” she snaps coldly. “Or if I’m putting you out that much, then you tell your son that he can’t go with me. I won’t lie to him for you if that’s what you’re getting at.”
“I’m not getting at anything. I…never mind, you’re impossible to talk to, Bishop. You have to be the most stubborn woman on the planet.”
“Oh, you know that I’m a woman?” she hisses. “Irritating that I’ve stolen your most frustrating human on the planet title?”
“Of course I know you’re a woman. I’m not blind, Sutton.”
Her eyes flit up to mine. They’re dark, hooded, and I can’t tell if she’s pissed off or turned on, maybe a little of both. Her breathing is ragged.
Damn, she’s beautiful.
I take a step toward her. I’ll kiss her until she’s putty in my hands again; that seems to be the only time the two of us aren’t at each other’s throats. I can pick her up and set her down on this tailgate.
She really likes it when I put my hand around her throat. Maybe if I…
“Doc, you ready to go? Grandma packed us some pie and some other snacks. Oh, wait, is it okay to have snacks? Will that contaminate anything?” Caleb rambles as he hurries down the front steps.
Thank goodness he came out when he did, I was about to make a fool out of myself.
“It’s not going to contaminate anything.” Sutton smiles back at him. “Snacks are great. Let’s load up.”
“Bye, Dad!” Caleb calls out.
Sutton shuts the truck bed, her arm brushing mine as she slips past me.
