Shit, did I just say that? It was the truth but even so, it could be a make-or-break comment. Three dates, one half a weekend away didn’t mean Ihadher. But I wanted to. I wanted to see where our relationship could go.
“I know that my work affected my marriage.” I met her eyes. Her gaze didn’t waver. Good. She needed to hear this. “I could have done many things differently, including spending more time at home. I don’t think it would have changed the outcome.Pat and I weren’t suited to each other; we both knew that. It didn’t help that I was still in love with you.”
Lorraine’s eyes widened as she sucked a breath in.
It was the first time I’d admitted it out loud.
“I’ve always loved you. It wasn’t the right time for us back then. I could dwell on the time wasted. Instead, I think about how I enjoyed watching you flourish and become even stronger and more independent than you already were.”
I hoped that didn’t backfire on me now. I hoped she wasn’t so independent that she couldn’t see us spending our lives together. Even if we hadn’t dated, we were still close. I was the main vet that serviced her farm, I’d made sure of it. That meant I was able to steal time with her. We shared jokes and laughter. We talked about our hopes and dreams for each of our businesses. We argued freely when we didn’t agree but still remained staunch friends.
She was still watching me, and I didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing. But since I had her attention, I had more to say. “There are so many things I admire about you, Lorraine—your strength, courage, determination, kindness, beauty.”
“Thank you.” She squeezed my hand. “The list of things I admire about you would probably take us all day.”
“Would the highlights include our little frolic last night?”
She laughed. “It would be in the top five.”
I grinned. Pretty good for a man out of practice.
Her lips lifted in a smile. “The way you have always been there for me would rank higher.”
Well, OK. I wouldn’t complain about that.
For the past thirty years I’d seen her nearly five days a week during breeding season, and two days a week in the off season, and had never tired of it. Of course, they weren’t full days. Maybe if we spent twenty-four hours a day together, we’d runout of things to say. Maybe we wouldn’t enjoy each other as much. Maybe we couldn’t go beyond friendship.
We’d gone beyond friendship last night, and it was damn good. Did she want more? Or did she just want to be friends with benefits? I needed to stop doubting and simply ask.
I held her gaze. “I don’t want us to stop at this weekend. I don’t want to waste any more time.”
Her eyes softened. “Me either.”
Holy shit. My insides quivered like a kid going to their first horse show.
I leant forward and pressed my lips against hers. She caressed my cheek as she returned the kiss. I sat back and let out a long breath.
“Are we venturing outside today?” Lorraine asked, breaking into my thoughts.
“I don’t think we’ll make it far. Not until they clear the roads. Certainly not without skis.”
She giggled. I glanced at her.
“So, you spoke to the snow gods to request a storm. And then what? You called the resort and asked them not to plough the roads?” She laughed even harder.
I shook my head and chuckled. “Yeah, sure. I stopped the operations of a whole resort just to trap you in here with me.”
“How romantic.” And that’s when she laughed so hard that she cried. “And when they plough the roads, and I can sense freedom, then what?”
“It’s OK, by then you’ll be happy to stay.”
“Going to convince me with your sexual prowess?” She could hardly get the words out.
“I’m wounded. I feel you’re insinuating I don’t have any.” I shuffled backwards holding my hand to my chest and hiding my smile. “I thought waiting on you hand and foot, having somedeep conversations, and telling you how amazing you are might do the trick.”
She wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Maybe.”
And just like that, we moved past what had happened earlier—no resentment, no residue anger.
