“Love and affection?”
“Oats and honey.”
She laughed. “Sounds about right.”
They shared a smile that lingered. His skin had bronzed under the summer sun, making his eyes appear even greener. And his dark hair had grown out a bit since his arrival, giving him a roguish appearance.
“You going out with Kyle tonight?” he asked softly.
Where had that come from? She blinked and tore her gaze away. She’d been out with Kyle several times in the past month. But Gunner had never mentioned him before. She hadn’t even realized he was aware they were dating. “Not tonight. Why?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Just wondering.”
She got the feeling there was more to his question than that. “Because...” Why was she pressing for an answer? Deep down she knew the answer: She was hoping he’d invite her someplace. That he wanted to spend time with her outside work.
You’re an idiot, Charlotte.Because even if she and Kyle weren’t exclusive, Gunner was the last person she should spend time with.
“You’d mentioned before about putting your search for your father on hold till things settled down. I didn’t know if you were ready to pursue that again.”
A small part of her felt let down at the reason for his inquiry. But it warmed her that he was still willing to help. She just wasn’t sure she was ready for that.
“No pressure,” he said. “Ball’s in your court, of course. I just wanted you to know I’m here if you decide to go forward with it.”
There was that warmth blooming in her chest again. Sometimes the depth of his sensitivity took her by surprise in such a wonderful way.
“Or maybe you’d rather have Kyle along.”
“It’s not that.” She hadn’t even told Kyle about her biological family. Gunner wouldn’t even know about them if he hadn’t happened upon the evidence. She’d planned to pay that gas station another visit when things settled down. But after Emerson’s bitter words this morning... should she carry on with that plan? “I need to think about it. Can I let you know?”
“Of course. No rush.”
A car rumbled up the drive, the first of their four students, no doubt. “Ready for another lesson?”
Gunner pushed off the fence. “Let’s do it.”
Twenty-Five
It was well after eleven and Charlotte couldn’t stop tossing and turning. The house was too quiet with Emerson gone. Her sister’s soft snoring sometimes annoyed her, but at least it made her feel less alone.
She thought back over the day. The lessons had gone well. The kids and parents seemed pleased. Gavin had brought Emma to the second class, and he hung around afterward to chat. They talked about Emma’s participation in the lessons, and he asked how her expansion was going. He told her about the home he and Wes were currently building up in the mountains for a couple from Asheville.
He also mentioned that Gunner had initiated a fundraiser to benefit his elderly landlord and other residents in town who were underinsured. Apparently he’d somehow pulled Lisa and Avery into his efforts.
Gunner had mentioned Mr. Dixon to Charlotte—he and his neighbor sometimes passed the evenings with a game of chess. And he’d told her about the diabetic episode. But she’dheard nothing about this fundraiser. It was touching that he cared enough to help the man.
She rolled to her back and stared up at the darkened ceiling, remembering the question Gunner had asked earlier. Was she ready to find her father?
With Emma in her riding classes and the Robinsons now orbiting her world so closely, she needed to make a decision, and soon. The more entwined her life became with theirs, the harder it would be—and the worse it would look—when the news finally came out.
She needed to expedite this process. Meet her father and give him the opportunity to tell his sons about her.
Emerson was the only thing holding her back. Charlotte understood why her sister felt threatened. But Emerson was paving her own path these days, and Charlotte wasn’t sure where that would lead her. Currently it had led her to Asheville. Emerson hadn’t even said when she was coming home. Surely before her trail rides next Saturday.
Charlotte should definitely go forward with her plans. Emerson would simply have to adjust. Maybe if the Robinsons accepted her, they’d accept Emerson too. They seemed like inclusive people. She could just imagine attending their family cookouts with Emerson. Playing cornhole and chatting at the picnic table over grilled burgers.
She and Emerson could even have the family out to the ranch. Her sister could cook up a feast and they could eat out back under the big oak tree. The image she’d conjured up was so lovely and inviting, Charlotte’s heart gave a tight squeeze. That was what she wanted. It was probably wishful thinking, but she couldn’t stop herself from hoping.
A wave of relief washed over her now that she’d settled the issue. She just needed to let Gunner know. Because this wasn’t something she wanted to do alone, and he’d somehow become her confidant.
