If this were anyone else, I wouldn’t care. It was just one kiss—big deal.
But it’s not just anyone. It’s Odette.
What the hell was I thinking?
Oh, right. I was thinking that she ran out of the bar into the storm with panic in her gorgeous blue eyes, and all I wanted to do was make sure she was safe. I was thinking that she did it to save a cat because ofthat big heart of hers, and it’s the kind of selfless thing I like about her. I was thinking that she looked fucking beautiful, even soaking wet. I was thinking that I’ve been wanting to kiss her for far too long, and there was no time like the present.
I was thinking that, for the first time in my life, I didn’twantto think. I just wanted to act.
I wanted to kiss Odette.
And I did.
Now it’s clear she’s not talking to me, and I have to live with that.
Once my mug is empty, I head inside with Pork trotting along behind me, trying to push all thoughts of her aside as I get ready for the day.
It works until I make it down to the cidery and my eyes go straight to the barn where I kissed the hell out of her.
Then, the only thing running through my mind was how soft she felt under my touch and the soft sounds she made as I kissed her. How she melted against me, how she pulled me closer.
And the look on her face when she realized what we’d just done and ran.
I tear my gaze away, focusing instead on all the damage.
As expected, there are limbs and debris all over the place, and a tree fell by the pond, making me glad I herded the ducks toward shelter.
The chicken coop is wrecked, and I’ve never been more thankful for the shed than now, sparing the poor hens from the carnage.
The goats are fine, their pen holding steady. I’m not surprised since it’s newer than the coop and definitely newer than the barn.
I look back at the building again and decide to rip the Band-Aid off. I’ll need to go inside and inspect the damage eventually. Might as well be now.
The second I step inside, my attention shifts right to the spot where I kissed Odette, and just like that, she’s back at the front of my mind. Not that she ever really left.
I check my phone again just to torture myself, but there’s nothing.
I pocket it and continue my inspection.
Miraculously, the damage is minimal. A few panels are missing from the sides—older ones I hadn’t gotten around to replacing yet—and some water leaked in, but that’s it. It’s actually in damn good shape, all things considered.
Thank fuck, too, because I was worried we’d just spent all that time working for nothing and we’d have to start over, which would inevitably put us behind, which would mean I’d be disappointing my sister.
I can’t do that. And I can’t disappoint Odette, either, even if she isn’t talking to me right now.
A low whistle has me turning on my heel.
Ezra stands just inside the door, his arms crossed over his chest. “Damn. This held up better than I expected.”
“Yeah, me too. Guess they really don’t make them like they used to.”
He huffs out a laugh, something he doesn’t do often. “There is a big tree down on the drive up, though. You can squeeze around it with some finesse, but we’ll need to figure out what to do with it.”
I sigh. “All right. I’ll add it to the list.” I flick my chin his way. “What are you doing here so early anyway?”
“Same thing as you: inspecting the damage.” He takes a step, then winces. “And I couldn’t sleep with this fucking hip.”
He says that last part through gritted teeth.
