He glanced at her and shook his head. “This is ridiculous.”
“Maybe so, but we have a history of turning a kiss into a horizontal two-step. I’m not taking any chances.” She closed the distance between them, stood on tiptoe and kissed him lightly on the mouth.
Then she quickly backed away because she instantly craved more.
His eyes fluttered open. “That’s it?”
“That’s it.” The longing in his eyes tore her up. “See you later.” She put on her coat, left it unzipped, crammed on her Stetson and picked up her duffle.
“Wait. Why not just leave it?”
“Better not. I’ll stick it in my truck like I planned and grab it if I come back.”
He sighed. “Okay. Enjoy your ride. Tell the Damsels I said hi.”
“I will. Hope you win at poker. ’Bye.” She opened the door and stepped out on the landing.
“Be careful on the stairs.” His words followed her out.
“You bet!” She closed the door and started down, forcing herself to go slow when she wanted to take them fast. She had to get away quickly before she gave in to the urge to forget the whole thing, go back inside and hurl herself into his arms.
She’d never been so crazy about a man. But she’d made a mistake last time and she by damn wouldn’t do it again. She desperately needed this ride.
Hers were the first footsteps in a pristine layer of snow at the bottom of the stairs. The sunlight hadn’t reached that area yet, but the expanse beyond sparkled as if overlaid with diamonds.
As she created a path over to her truck, she glanced at the mini-hacienda draped in glittering white. Fragrant cedar smoke rose from the chimney. Claudie had a fire going.
Sadness gripped her. She longed to confide in her sister, but any discussion would have to include information she couldn’t share. She’d have to pour her heart out to Sol, instead.
Tossing her duffle in her truck, she walked back the way she’d come, passing the stairs to the loft without turning her head.
The snow in front of the barn’s double doors was well trampled. Adam and whoever had barn duty with him today had been and gone. The pasture was empty, so they must’ve decided against turning the horses out.
Lucky for her. She wouldn’t have to take time to fetch Sol, and she was itching to be off. He whinnied a greeting when he spied her coming.
“Got a job for you, buddy.” She grabbed a lead rope and halter from a hook by his stall and stepped inside. “I need to work through a high stakes situation, and you’re just the one to help me do it.”
The palomino’s ears pricked forward.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about, don’tcha?” She slipped on the halter and gave him a nose rub. “It’s that guy who lives upstairs.” She glanced toward the ceiling and calculated the distance to the front of the barn. They were standing under Cole’s kitchen.
The barn had added significance since the renovation. Knowing he was up there, likely washing up after their breakfast, she could feel his presence as if he were standing next to her.
She could text him, invite him to come down and saddle Sparky. They could enjoy this glorious snow-spangled morning together.
She heaved a sigh. “C’mon.” She clipped the lead rope on Sol’s halter. “We’re outta here.”
He was generally a cooperative horse, and this morning he was super accommodating, standing perfectly still as she tacked him up. Maybe he understood this was an important journey or maybe he was simply looking forward to fresh air and sunshine.
She tucked snow pads into his shoes to keep him from getting the stuff packed in his hooves. When she swung into the saddle and headed for the gate, a ripple of excitement passed through his body.
“I’m excited too, buddy. This’ll be good for both of us.”
He gave a snort of agreement, sending out twin clouds of moist air.
As she passed by the barn, she’d be visible to Cole if he happened to be looking. She’d bet he was. She didn’t glance up.
Once through the gate, she let out a breath and nudged Sol into a slow trot. While a run across the meadow would feel great, she wouldn’t risk it. Instead she took a trail that she knew well, one along the edge of the meadow that was less likely to have buried hazards.
