Aftyn laughed. “Yes. I love horses.”
“Then you should join me tomorrow.”
“Seriously? I’d love to.”
“I’ll pick you up around ten.”
“Perfect.”
He guided her toward the door, hand warm around hers. Outside, the night air was still sweltering, parking lot lights casting long shadows across the asphalt. At the truck he opened her door, held her hand until she clicked her seatbelt in place.
“Your manners are impressive,” she said as he climbed in.
He buckled up. “My parents thank you.”
Aftyn leaned back with a contented sigh. Tonight had been better than she’d imagined.
“Thank you for asking me. I had a wonderful time.”
The engine rumbled to life. “I’m glad I did.” He pulled out of the lot. “Where did your parents come up with Aftyn?”
“My great-great-grandmother’s name.”
“I like it. It suits you.”
He pulled onto Main Street, then through the parking lot of the diner and parked beside the steps to her apartment. The porch light fell softly over them as they climbed, and at the top she leaned back against the door, hands behind her back, watching him. Her heart did a small flip when he placed his hands on the doorframe on either side of her.
“Goodnight, Cole.” She held his gaze. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The corners of his eyes crinkled. “Go inside. I’ll wait until I hear the lock.”
She fumbled with her keys, found the right one, and pushed the door open. As she closed it she caught one last glimpse of him standing there, tall and still in the porch light. A smile pulled at her lips as she turned the deadbolt. His boot heels rang on the metal stairs, growing fainter with each step. She pressed her ear to the door, listening until his truck rumbled to life and the sound of tires on gravel faded into the night. Only then did she reach out and extinguish the porch light.
She made her way down the narrow hallway to her bedroom, fingertips trailing the wall, the smile refusing to leave her face. The memory of the evening lingered. Clinking glasses, the music, Cole’s laugh. She would love to see him again, but she had to be honest with herself. She was temporary here. Starting something with Cole would be like planting seeds in soil she knew she’d never stay to tend.
****
Cole entered the barn Sunday morning, the scent of hay and horses settling over him as he strode along the sawdust-covered aisle. Sunlight streamedthrough the dusty windows, catching two of his ranch hands shoveling soiled bedding from the stalls.
“Morning, Cole.” Gunnar leaned on his pitchfork, sweat already darkening his T-shirt.
“Morning. You two are working early.”
“Supposed to get hot. Figured we’d get ahead of it.” Gunnar wiped his brow with a bandana from his back pocket.
“Good thinking.”
Landon’s lanky frame appeared from behind a stall door, wisps of straw clinging to his jeans. “Need any help?”
“No thanks. I’m heading out shortly, then coming back for a ride.” Cole ran a hand along the smooth wooden railing, worn from years of use.
“Don’t see you out here on Sundays much.”
“I invited someone to ride with me.” Cole moved toward the wall where the leather bridles hung, gleaming from recent oiling.
“Want me to get the horses saddled?” Gunnar asked.
“I’ll do it when I get back. Just getting the tack ready now.” He paused. “I have to go pick her up.”
