My stomach growls at the mention of food, reminding me I skipped lunch. “Thank you.”
Mama unlinks our arms and pulls me in for a hug, placing a kiss on my forehead. “Anything for you, baby. Why don’t you take Friday off and spend the day in the field? I know you’re itching to paint the wildflowers.”
“But what about?—”
“Ican handle the send-off with the guests. We don’t have anyone staying Friday night, so it’ll just be cleaning up. Take some time for yourself.”
“Thank you, Mama.”
“I have one stipulation. I need a new picture for the wall in cabin five. That couple on their anniversary trip got a little too…excitedand accidentally knocked it down. I got a long-winded apology from the wife, and I know way too much about them now. ”
My nose scrunches at her implications. How can you be so lost in passion that you knock down a painting? Wouldn’t that hurt?
“Well, better you than me. I wouldn’t have been able to keep my facial expressions under check.”
“It was quite the effort. Kathy was in there with me and had to excuse herself because she couldn’t stop laughing.”
I chuckle. “I’ll paint you a new picture. You want the wildflowers or something else?”
“Wildflowers, please.”
“Got it.”
“Thank you, June-bug. Now, go see your girl. The tour should be almost up.” She winks and speed walks away before I can protest or deny Addison asmy girl.
Even if I like the sound of those words much more than I should.
Addison’s smooth voice carries through the space over the shuffling and huffing of the horses. All of them love the attention that comes with newcomers—except Honeysuckle, but she’s out in the corral right now, so she’s away from the crowd.
God, she looks so hot in her baseball cap, her honey colored hair pulled into a ponytail through the loop in the back. She’s wearing her Forget Me Not Ranch T-shirt and wranglers that have me biting my lip. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone more attractive.
As Addison explains that you never want to be standingdirectly behind the horse because you never know when they might decide to kick, her eyes scan the crowd and meet mine. Her words falter, but she recovers and finishes her spiel about horse safety. Given that this group is made up of adults, I hope they’ll take her seriously.
I stand next to Athena’s stall as Addison wraps up the question section. She’s a natural at explaining all things to do with horses, and so many guests have ranted and raved about how amazing she is when she’s guiding trail rides and teaching riding lessons.
Athena pokes her head out and sniffs me, looking for treats. I know for a fact Addison sneaks them to her at least twice a day, and I don’t have any on me.
I stroke her neck, running my hands over her silky black mane. “Sorry, girl. No treats for you today. Your bestie would probably be upset if I gave you some, anyway.”
“Are you being a greedy girl again?” Addison’s voice sends a shiver down my spine.
I know she’s talking to the horse, but damn it, she’s said that to me before.
“I already gave you an extra treat today. Don’t be begging Juniper for more.” She strokes down the other side of Athena’s neck, then her eyes lock on mine. “Hey, sunshine. What’re you doing here?”
I shrug, suddenly feeling shy. “Just thought I’d come see if you need anything.”
“Well, lucky you did, because thereissomething I need from you.” She grabs my wrist and drags me through the barn, leading me to the tack room, shutting the door, and pushing me against it.
“What—”
I can’t finish my sentence because her mouth is on mine, her hands cupping my face as her body pins me against the door. Her tongue drags against my bottom lip before her teeth tug at the tender flesh. My hands land on her waist, trying to pull her infinitely closer. We make out like horny teenagers forwho knows how long before she pulls away. Her hat is askew on top of her head, so I reach up and tip it back into place.
“God, I missed your lips,” she whispers.
“It hasn’t even been a full day since we kissed.”
“I know, but I want to soak up every minute I can before this ends.”
