I blow out a breath.How am I finding it?Well, your brother is a colossal pain in my ass, and I get dirty looks from every person on the ranch, but other than that, things are going swimmingly.
That’s what Iwantto say, but instead I answer with, “great.”
Hunter smiles wider. “Good. I’m glad you’re finding your footing here.”
“Hmm,” I mumble, eyeing him with suspicion.
There’s a reason he came looking for me. And I know it’s not because he wants to know how I’m finding working here.
“Is there something else?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light.
Hunter grips the back of his neck, his cheeks taking on an ever-so-slight blush. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something ever since your interview and you can tell me to mind my own business, but as your boss, I need to know,” he pauses and my stomach sinks.
“Are you okay?” He blurts out and my brows sink in confusion.
He spewed all that shit and blushed like a teenager just to ask me if I’m okay? My eyes narrow and then quickly widen as realisation settles in.
He’s asking because I said I was sick.
Before I can answer, Hunter continues. “I just need to know if there is anything we should be doing for you. If you need time off for anything, you just have to ask, and…”
I cut him off. “Hunter, I’m fine.”
He snaps his mouth shut. “You are?”
My defences drop and my tone softens at the worry in his eyes. He’s just trying to be a good boss, and I can’t fault him for that. “Yes. Totally fine and healthy. But thank you.”
He releases a breath of relief. “Okay. Good.”
I chuckle lightly at him. The fact that he cared enough to ask me and be willing to accommodate my needs warms something inside of me.
Not many people have been kind to me since I returned so to receive it from one of Killian’s friends is… refreshing.
“I see what Savannah means now,” I admit, seeing him in a different light.
Hunter is different now. The man I knew before I left was a lot less mature and a lot more… full of himself. He was the playboy of Rosewater Creek and women would fall over themselves for a chance with him. Now, he’s mature, caring and from what I’ve seen, humble.
With a tilt of his head, he asks, “what do you mean?”
“You’re a worrier.”
Hunter chuckles deeply, scrubbing a hand over his jaw. “Yeah. Having a baby on the way and a five-year-old running around will do that to a man.”
“Well, I appreciate your concern, Hunter, but you don’t need to worry about me.”
He dips his chin. “Noted.”
We exchange a few more words before he turns and disappears out of the barn, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
And of course, much like they do any time I’m alone, my thoughts circle right back to Killian. My phone burns against my skin from where it sits in my pocket with the urge to check for any messages from him.
Seeing his name appear on my screen the other night had caused my heart to hammer against my ribcage. It’s been so long since the two of us had exchanged messages that it was… uncanny, to say the least.
The feelings that those simple messages stirred up inside of me reminded me of my younger self. Of how I would get butterflies every time my phone chimed in the hopes that it would be him. It made me want to keep him talking.
I’ve checked my phone almost every hour since, hoping to see his name again. So far though, no dice.
Mentally shaking myself, I push all thoughts of Killian and late-night texts to the back of my mind and continue with cleaning my equipment. I’ve got a rare easy day, so I won’t look a gift horse – pun intended – in the mouth and hang around any longer than I need to.
