Chapter Eight
Aftyn entered the bathroom and closed the door with a soft click. She washed her face, the cool water refreshing against her flushed skin, then dressed in Cole’s clothes again and padded barefoot to the living room. The grandfather clock in the foyer chimed twice, its brass pendulum catching the afternoon light. Two o’clock. Her stomach fluttered wondering what remained of their day together.
“Yeah, since you had sex,” she muttered, blowing a stray hair from her face.
“What?” Cole’s voice startled her as he appeared in the doorway, broad shoulders nearly filling the frame.
“Don’t sneak up on me like that.” Her heart hammered.
“I wasn’t sneaking. Why would I sneak in my own house?” One dark eyebrow arched.
“Shut up,” she said, and his lips curved into a smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes.
“Good comeback.” He crossed the room and pulled her into his arms, the rough stubble on his cheek brushing her temple as he rested his chin on her head. His aftershave mingled with the warm scent of his skin. “What do you want to do until I take you home?”
“More of what we just did.” Crimson heat bloomed across her cheeks.
His chest rumbled with a low chuckle. “I’m all forthat, but how about we head into town first? Let you look around.”
“I’d love that. I’ve been too busy asking about Avery to actually see anything. There’s a Christmas shop I noticed with the most beautiful window display.”
“Festive Finds. Let’s do it.” His thumb traced a slow circle on her wrist. “Check if your clothes are dry. Dryer’s through there.”
She found them warm and fragrant with fabric softener and pressed them against her chest. “I’ll go change.”
“Yes, ma’am.” That honey-thick tone that made her knees unreliable. “I’ll let the men know I’m heading out.”
She watched him settle his Stetson on his dark hair, fingers adjusting the brim. When he stepped onto the sun-drenched porch their eyes met, and his wink sent a shiver down her spine. She sighed as the door closed.
She made her way to the bedroom and pulled on her clothes, still warm from the dryer. At the door she glanced back at the rumpled sheets and felt the heat rise in her cheeks all over again. It had been unbelievable. She couldn’t wait to be with him again.
She was grinning all the way to the kitchen. She heard the back door open and close, then Cole appeared, removing his hat. He turned and that slow smile lifted his lips, crinkling the corners of his eyes.
“Ready?”
“Ready.” She leaned against the counter. “Are the men okay out there?”
“They know what to do. I just like them to know when I’m off the property. New horses can act up.”
“Are you a horse whisperer?” she teased.
Cole chuckled. “I wouldn’t go that far. I’m decent, but you should see Trick. He has them eating out of his hand in minutes, like they understand every word he says.”
“He’d have me eating out of his hand too,” she murmured, then laughed when Cole sighed and shook his head. “I’m teasing. Though he is one good-looking man with those dark eyes.”
“He’s been through a lot.” Cole folded his arms. “But he’s doing well now. I’m glad he found his way back.”
“What happened?” she asked.
“He lost his first wife, Kaylee, in a car accident on Copper Ridge.” Cole’s voice dropped. “That man was devastated. Barely left his ranch for three years, sent his hands into town for supplies when he could. He had a baby daughter to raise alone, and nobody thought he’d ever let anyone in again. Then Rayna came into his life when she inherited the ranch next to his, and he was gone for her. Harlee loves her too. That little girl was barely walking when Kaylee died.” He shook his head. “It was hard on the whole town, but nobody took it harder than Trick.”
“I’m glad he found someone new.” Aftyn was quiet a moment. “He seemed really kind at the diner.” She smiled. “Those dark eyes like midnight.”
“Alright, stop thinking about him,” Cole teased.
She laughed. “Please. You’re just as gorgeous with that jawline and those green eyes. I probably shouldn’t tell you that. It’ll go to your head.”
“I’ll try to keep it in check.” He grinned, dimples appearing in his tanned cheeks, and leaned down to kiss her forehead.
