“I’m glad, too, sweetheart. Now, tell me what are you doing tomorrow night? I need to see you, it's been too long.”
Her laugh tinkled down the line, stealing my breath and putting a huge smile on my face. “I saw you at lunch, Gunner.”
“Like I said,” my voice a deep, needy, growl. “It’s been too long.”
Chapter 26
Lover – Taylor Swift
Cassidy
Sweetheart. One word but it meant so much to me. I mean I was an independent woman who believed in girl power, but if a man wanted to treat me like a princess and give me a cute nickname then I was up for both. Funny how that man appeared to be Gunner Miller. The man I’d hated for so long. Maybe it was true that the line between love and hate was dangerously thin, because it certainly seemed so between Gunner and me. I could feel myself falling. Not quickly. Not dramatically. Just deeper than I meant to, with every word he didn’t say.
And now. The things he was suggesting. The plans he had. They all included me, and it felt right.
The idea of working on the ranch, teaching on the ranch, had never been on my radar. Now he’d mentioned the possibility of it, though, it kind of felt exciting. Imagine teaching kids in that environment. I’m guessing it wouldn’t be a full curriculum, but Math was my major, where History was Lily’s. If Gunner’s ideaof having kids there long-term worked out, between us she and I could keep them on track with their schoolwork. It would mean we wouldn’t have to limit camp to school break periods. But that was all pie in the sky for now, especially if the meeting with Jenkins Industries didn’t go well. Yep, it was a long, long way off.
Trying to put it from my mind, I watched Lucas pick up his workbook and bring it to my desk.
“Hey, Lucas. Have you finished?”
“Yep.” He grinned at me and put his book in front of me so I could check his answers.
Every single one of them was right, including all his workings out of each math problem. When I handed his book back and he saw all the ticks and ‘Good work’ written at the bottom, his cheeks went red. In fact, he blushed right up to his ears.
“Well, done. That’s excellent.” He was doing so much better now that Ruthie was getting help. Gunner had even bought her a new clothes washer, stating he would take ten dollars a month from her salary to pay it back. Then he’d upped her salary by fifteen dollars saying he’d miscalculated it. He certainly was not the man I’d thought he was.
“Miss. Turner, am I coming to the ranch with you after school?”
I gave him a soft smile, trying to hide my own excitement that clearly mirrored his. “You certainly are. I believe Gunner is going to give you and Bertie some riding lessons.”
Lucas clutched his hands into small fists and grinned. “I can’t wait. It’s going to be awesome.”
It certainly was because I was going to spend the evening with Gunner. Nash and Lily were going to take the kids to the funfair in Sweet Maple Falls once they’d had their riding lesson and Wilder was off to a poker night in the bunkhouse, so we’d have an evening to ourselves.
I had to be honest it was a mixture of excitement and nerves in my belly, because being alone with Gunner I wasn’t sure I could be happy sticking to kisses on the sofa. I also wasn’t sure, though, whether two dinner dates, a lunch date and several phone calls over the last week were sufficient for me to move onto the next phase. I wasn’t a prude, but I was cautious and maybe I was throwing myself too wholeheartedly into this thing with Gunner.
“Are you going to learn to ride, Miss. Turner?”
“Actually,” I said. “I can already ride a horse. I learned how to ride when I was your age. I mean I haven’t ridden for a long time, but I’m sure I could remember if I had to.”
“You should come with us. I’m sure Bertie’s uncle Gunner will teach you.”
My lips tickled with a brief smile as I thought about all the other things I’d love for Gunner to teach me.
“Maybe I will come along for a ride this evening,” I told him. “It might be fun.”
In the late afternoon pale sunlight, Gunner stood in the center of the paddock guiding the kids on their ponies. “That’s it, short stuff, nice and gentle with the reins,” Gunner called, his voice steady as he watched his niece guide her pony in a slow circle. I was leaning against the white wooden fence, smiling at the way his entire demeanor had softened around the children. The sharp-tongued, sarcastic rancher had transformed into someone patient and encouraging, his instructions kind and clear. “Lucas, sit up straight, buddy. Remember what I told you about your posture?” Gunner moved up to walk alongside him and the gentle palomino pony and adjusted Lucas’ shoulders.
The crisp air smelled faintly of pine and damp earth, the last traces of snowmelt making the dirt rich and dark beneath the ponies’ hooves. The late sun slanted low across the paddock, turning the wooden rails to gold and casting long shadows that made everything feel just a little more magical, like we were standing at the edge of a story only just beginning.
“There you go. Christine can feel everything you do up there now.” Lucas beamed with pride, his small hands gripping the reins the way Gunner had taught him. “Like this, Mr. Miller?”
“Perfect,” Gunner affirmed with a nod. “You’re a natural and what did I say about calling me Mr. Miller?”
“Not to.” Lucas gave him a shy smile. “Okay, Gunner.” Grinning, Gunner removed his Stetson and wiped his brow. The day was warming, but a lingering chill still clung to the air, hinting at the stubbornness of winter even as spring fought its way in. I turned my attention to Gunner, watching the broad span of his shoulders, the way they stretched the worn chambray shirt across his back as he reached up to help Bertie with her stirrups.
“Miss. Turner!” Lucas called excitedly, waving. “Look at me! I’m riding.” His enthusiasm made me giggle and filled my chest with heat. “You’re doing great, Lucas. Really great.”
