Inhaling deeply, I blow out a slow breath.
I jump when the door opens a few seconds later.
Cody steps into the muted darkness, a soft smile on his face, but his brow is lightly furrowed.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
Cows low in the distance and the high-pitched, rhythmic peeping of frogs is the only other sound filling the murky darkness. The muted thump of music carries through the wood of the barn wall behind me.
Cody steps closer.
“I’m okay,” I say, looking up at him. “Just needed to catch my breath.”
His hand lifts from his side and I watch it as he raises it to cup my cheek. It starts as an innocent gesture of concern, but then our eyes lock and he bends in and places a soft kiss on my lips. His mouth lingers on mine, grounding me and lifting me. His other hand grasps my waist. I grip his sleeve.
Cody pulls back before we can be spotted.
He smiles at me. I nod to reassure him.
“I’ll call you later,” he whispers.
And then he turns and walks back through the barn door, glancing over his shoulder once to smile at me.
When the door clatters shut behind him, I fall back onto the wall, the splintery wood catching on my skirt and snagging lightly.
My eyes close and I lift my fingers to my lips, sighing at the still-warm memory of Cody checking on me—kissing me with such tenderness.
The truth settles in as I stand here. We can hide our relationship on the ranches. A barn full of people who’ve known us forever is another story. And I’m sure this won’t be the last time we have to hide in plain sight.
The night winds down and I drive home. I’m in my pajamas, about to climb into bed when Cody calls.
“Hey,” his voice is low and easy, like he’s reached the end of his day—satisfied and sleepy.
“Hey,” I say.
“Did I wake you?”
“No. I’m just getting ready for bed.”
“What are you doing tomorrow?" he asks.
“I don’t have anything planned.”
“I’ve got a day off. Want to join me on an adventure?”
I crawl into bed, smiling to myself at the idea of an adventure with Cody.
“What do you have in mind?”
“I’ve got to head out of town to see about a horse. I thought we could make a day of it.”
“A whole day?”
“A whole day—in another town, where no one will know who we are.”
“Sounds amazing,” I say, not even trying to hide my excitement.
“Great. Let’s meet off Chigger Ridge. We can park your truck there and take mine.”
