“Okay. That sounds great.”
“When can you get away? I’d like to leave around seven, but I can wait.”
“I’ll be there.”
I pull my phone away from my ear and set my alarm a half hour early so I can be sure to have time to help around the farm. When I’ve done my part, I’ll disappear and hope Jace doesn’t ask too many questions.
“Carli?”
“Yeah?”
“See you tomorrow.” There’s a smile in his voice.
My responding smile warms me like the first sip of hot cocoa, traveling down and settling low in my belly.
“See you tomorrow, Cody.”
Chapter 20
Cody
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.
~ Helen Keller
Carli turnsinto the pullout and I jump out to meet her when she parks her truck next to mine.
“Hey.” I pull her into a hug and she melts into my arms.
She tilts her head up and I kiss her. Relief rolls through me, followed by a hunger for more. She clings to my shirt. I cup the back of her neck, holding her to me. She pulls back for an instant—just long enough to breathe out my name—and then we lean toward one another again, unwilling to let go.
Time is our enemy, but today we have a reprieve, so I slow us down, brushing one last soft kiss over her lips.
She smiles, tucking her hair behind her ear. Then she reaches up, running her hand down my jaw. “Good morning.”
I chuckle. “Good morning.” Releasing her, I ask, “Ready?”
“I am. I forgot to ask how I should dress, but I figured we were seeing about a horse, so I hope this is okay.”
She pulls back and holds her arms out to her sides.
She’s wearing her well-worn boots, jeans, and a long-sleeved T-shirt with a puffer vest.
“You look perfect,” I tell her.
She blushes lightly. I step around her and open the passenger door to my truck.
“So, where’s this horse?” she asks once we’re both buckled in and I’m driving down the road leading out of town.
“Leipers Fork.”
“Oooh. We’re going through Nashville!”
“Yes. It’s a bit of a trek. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Let’s see,” she says, tapping her pointer finger to her chin. “I could be home helping Jace on the farm, or I could be out on a day with you. Hard call, but I pick Leipers Fork.”
“I have plans,” I tell her. “Outside of seeing the horse.”
