“But seriously, who looks at a potato and thinks, ‘donut’?”
“Potatoes are Maine’s largest ag crop. Long winters, not much to do.”
“I can think of a few things to do.” I wink at him.
“Wanna try this one? It’s my favorite.” He holds the donut in front of my face, and I take a big bite.
“Mmm.” I gawk at him.“Wait, this one is better!”
“Take it. I can get them all the time.” He swaps the donuts without hesitation. The way he just gives me his favorite thing and doesn’t mind lodges in my gut.
I clear my throat. “I wanted to ask you.” Suddenly, my palms are sweating. “The clinic isn’t opening until the second of January. Maybe I could stay here until after New Year’s? Especially since we still don’t know what’s wrong with the sick reindeer.”
The ones inside get better over four days in their separate stalls, but there are still new reindeer showing up in the barn in the morning, belting and having bowel issues.
“Just staying for the reindeer?” he challenges, looking away.
Maybe he doesn’t want me here.
The memory of his face at the café when he realized I was counting down the days until I left makes me nauseous. I just want more of this. Of him.
“And you,” I add quickly. “Unless you already have big plans I’d be intruding on.”
“No. Girls usually fall asleep before midnight.” His emerald eyes cut back to mine. “Plus, I like having you here.”
“I like being here,” I admit.
“If the weather’s good this week, I want to bring you someplace,” he says.
“I wouldn’t mind another trip into the rafters.” I wink.
He tsks, smirking. “Wasn’t this morning enough?”
“I’ve never liked sex this much.” I bite back my grin.
“Me neither.”
I blink, shaking my head. “Sorry. I was distracted. Where did you wanna take me?”
He lets out a laugh through his nostrils. “After the first snow, I bring the twins on a sleigh ride around the property. We drivearound until they find a tree they want to decorate. I want to show you the one we did this year.”
“Wait a minute.” I turn, tugging at the seatbelt. “You have a sleigh?”
“Yeah. I don’t bring it out often, but Calcifer, Ponyo, Miyoko, Spoots, and a few others seem to enjoy the run.
“A sleigh ride.” I repeat, still a little shocked.
“I promise no Santa hats.” His grin is crooked, teasing. I smack his forearm playfully.
I realize I haven’t thought about Parker in days. I almost laughed at myself—at how close I’d come to settling for that asshole when Jamie makes me feel this alive, this seen, this safe. He doesn’t just take me places; he shares pieces of his world, his family, himself. And I want all of it.
“And you better not pull your Grinch costume out either.”
“What about an elf costume?”
“You can bring your cowboy hat.”
“So, you’re up for it?”
