A streak of lightning announced the next roll of thunder and when it clapped, nothing came from Silver’s stall. John looked back to see Hercules had come in the opposite door and was checking on the mini. Then he clip-clopped his way toward them.
His large frame dwarfed both of them, and John laughed as the big gelding rested his muzzle on Gemma’s head. “Did you check on your lady, big guy?” She stroked his head and neck.
The three of them stayed that way for a long time. John had no desire to move but to just be. The rain seemed to do more than water the earth tonight. It seemed to water him.
Eventually Hercules returned to his barn apartment. Whinny remained outside in the downpour.
“Guess we should get some rest before the three o’clock,” Gemma said, turning toward him. “It must be after one already.”
She stepped. He stepped. They bumped into one another and without a thought, he took her in his arms, inhaling the scent of her hair, her skin, all the while desperate to quiet his pounding heart. She remained stiff and still beneath his embrace. After a moment, he released her but held on to her hand.
“I want to kiss you,” he whispered.
“No you don’t.” She stepped away.
“But I do.”
“Prince, please, there’s no point in this. Trust me, you don’t want to kiss me. There’s nothing permanent here. And I won’t be your midnight lover.” She turned back to the rain. “Should I remind you how you pulled your hand from mine during a movie because you miss your wife?”
“I know, I know, but you’re here and she is not. Good grief, I feel treasonous and resentful for even saying it but it’s not like she’s gone for the weekend or on a girls’ holiday. She’ll never be on this earth again. I am a widower. As much as I love her, there’s a part of me that’s banging against the box I’m in to get on with life. And life includes love.”
“I get it, I do.” He could tell by the clouds in her voice she understood. Maybe even returned some of his feelings. “But, Prince, I’ve kissed a lot of frogs in my time, I’m ashamed to say. Think twice about kissing me. Then think again.”
“What are you saying? You have some kissing disease?”
Her laugh filled him with relief. “No, just that I’ve kissed a lot of men and I’m not proud of it.”
“We all have a past, Gemma.”
“How many frogs have you kissed?”
“Frogs? None, though Gus kissed a frog on a dare while at school. He was oh, nine or ten, and teased and mocked for being pudgy. He wanted to be one of the lads so they challenged him to kiss a frog. Instead of defending him, I stood there and watched.” John shuddered. “I still feel horrible about it.”
They stood side by side as another bolt of lightning lit the sky. He could just make out Whinny determinedly positioned under the pond tree.
“Do you want to kiss me?” he said.
“I don’t think I’ve ever conversed this long about a stupid kiss. Yes, I want to kiss you but, Prince, the first woman you kiss after your wife should not be me.”
“I demand an explanation.” Time for his prince voice. He’d get to the bottom of this Gemma, self-deprecating, loathing mystery. It was probably something only she saw as catastrophic. “What are you not telling me?”
“Prince, go home. Find a Lauchten woman with a title and pedigree.” She lifted her face to his and in the shallow glow from the barn lights, he saw the shadow loomed in her eyes. “I’m nothing special. Not worth kissing.”
“Is this the boyfriend Matt’s doing? Did he hurt you? What did he say to make you believe such lies? Forget him, Gemma. He’s not worth another moment of your time, your thoughts. Youarespecial.” He took her hand and placed it over his heart. “Trust me, I’m a prince—I know these things.” The heat of her hand radiated through his skin.
“You’re making me almost believe, John. Matt’s a rat fink to be sure, but if you must know, I’m the one who hurt me. I let myself down and I’ve no one else to blame.”
“Then apologize and forgive yourself.”
She tipped forward, pressing her forehead to his chest. “Easier said than done.”
He raised her chin with a light touch. “I want to kiss that shadow out of your eyes.”
Her eyes welled up and the shadow wavered. “I’m not sure anyone has that much power.”
“Can I try?” Blast, but if he wasn’t nervous.
A tiny tear tripped down the side of her face. “And if I swoon, will you catch me?”
