“I won’t. In fact, I have plans to make it bigger and better.”
“Of course you do.” Emily rolled her eyes.
Jake surveyed the gathered group. "Anyone willing to work on..." His words died off as he turned to wave his hand in the direction of the trees he'd already cut. He paused, as though realizing how crazy this whole thing was, and chuckled. "Anyone willing to help with my insanity will get time and a half."
Crew whooped and hollered. "Are we helping you go insane?"
"Or keeping you from going?" Brody finished.
"Maybe both." Jake chuckled again.
"You heard the boss," Zane called out. "Time and a half for anyone willing to help build Jake's Rec Center. But first, get some breakfast and do your regular chores."
Jake picked up the chainsaw, but Emily caught his arm before he could pull the cord to start it. "Oh no you don't. You need some sleep."
Jake's face fell. "You're probably right."
"I know I'm right." She held out a hand to him. "Come on."
"Let me put the chainsaw back in the shed for now." He headed toward the equipment shed while Emily headed to the house. "I'll be right in."
Daniel's parents were already almost back to their house, and Hank and the ranch hands had disappeared. That left Daniel and Riley standing alone in the trees. The sun, barely cresting the distant hills, cast a golden glow over the ranch and the gentle light made Riley look as beautiful as ever despite her sleep-tousled hair.
Perfect. Now I can find out how our kiss really affected her.
She quickly looked away after glancing in his direction and finding him staring at her.
He stepped toward her. "Are you sure you're okay after last night?"
"Yes, I’m good."
"Then why did you rush away? Did the kiss trigger you?" He raked a hand through his hair. The last thing he wanted to hear was that his touch and kiss repulsed her.
"The kiss was fine."
"Fine?" He cocked his head. "I'm not sure whether to be relieved or offended." He gave a tight chuckle. "So, you really didn't feel anything?"
"I didn't say that." She shifted her hands behind her as though to tuck them into her pockets, but her shorts didn't have pockets. After fidgeting for a moment, she finally ended up folding her arms across her chest.
"So you did feel something?" A spark of warmth fueled by hope ignited in his chest.
"Yes, I felt something." She shifted from one foot to the other. "Initially, it was good things, then the panic set in."
"That’s when you pushed me away?"
She nodded but didn't meet his gaze.
They were tucked mostly under a giant oak tree, so he stepped a little closer to her. "But you were okay until the panic hit?"
"Yes, it didn't hit immediately, like I thought it would." A small smile played at the edges of her lips, and she finally met his gaze.
"But the first part of the kiss was good?" He needed clarification. Needed to know she had enjoyed their kiss as much as he did.
"Yes." She tried to hide a smile but Daniel knew her too well.
"How good?" He crept a little closer.
"Very good." She took a step back, but the smile she gave him and the flirty gleam in her eyes couldn't be mistaken as anything other than an invitation.
