He sucked in a breath. Didn’t need clarification on that factoid. “You told them last night?” So much for his stealthy plan.
“Mila flat-out asked. Considering how I’ve been avoiding her for weeks I thought she deserved to know why.”
His heart thudded painfully in his tight chest. “How did they react?”
“They want to help.”
“Help?” He stared at her in confusion. “How in the hell could they?—”
“I don’t know. I’m not sure they know, but they figured the four of us could discuss it during the ride this afternoon.”
“Dear God. Please tell me you didn’t agree to that.”
“I did agree. At first the plan was not to bring it up until we were on our way back, but then we decided that would be an ambush.”
“No kidding.”
“So now you know and you’re free to back out of the ride.”
“You’ll still go?”
“Absolutely. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. You get a different perspective when you’re surrounded by nature.”
“And the three of you will discuss this even if I’m not there?”
“Why not? We talked about it last night when you weren’t there and they came up with a valuable insight I hadn’t considered.”
“Which is?”
“We’re each other’s forbidden fruit.”
“What? No, that’s not me. I don’t?—”
“Think about it.” She turned to leave, then swung back around. “I almost forgot. You have my permission to talk about this to anyone, anyone at all. Keeping it a secret just adds to the juiciness of forbidden fruit.”
He groaned. “Damn it, you’re not forbidden fruit!”
“Oh yes, I am.” She turned and walked away. “I’m yours and you’re mine. Deal with it.”
“You’re wrong, Trace. They’re wrong.”
“You can tell them on the ride.”
“What makes you think I’ll go?”
“I’ve known you for twenty-two years. See you at one o’clock.”
“You don’t know me as well as you think you do, Trace!”
“’Bye, Adam.” She walked out of the barn.
He let loose with a few choice words, ones the town mayor should never say in public. He’d officially lost control of the situation.
He really wanted to skip the ride, if only to prove that she didn’t know him like the back of her hand. But of course she did, and he headed for the barn at twelve-thirty, shaved, showered and out of his element.
Mila and Claudette had beat him there. They’d tied all three horses to the hitching post and were busy grooming Sol and Pickles.
Mila flashed him a grin. “You look like you just sucked on a lemon,hermano.”
