Gunner felt sucker punched. His feet remained planted in the dirt just outside the old barn. And he didn’t look away. Would not let himself off the hook. Because maybe if he forced himself to watch, it would somehow eradicate these unwanted feelings for Charlotte.
Kyle’s arm came around her waist and he pulled her close. When she tilted her head, her hair tumbled over her shoulder, glimmering red beneath the porch light.
Why had she left the stupid light on? He could see everydetail in living color. If the couple got any closer, they might meld into one person. And seriously, how long would this kiss last?
He clenched his hands into fists. How could his heart be beating so fast when he was just standing here, rooted to the ground like a dead oak tree?
An eternity later the kiss ended, but he still couldn’t stop watching.
Charlotte gave Kyle a soft smile as she reached for the door handle. Her lips moved with some undistinguishable words.
Would you like to come inside?
Thank you for a nice evening.
Please leave and don’t come back.
Ever.
Everything in him pulled foolishly for that last option, even though it was wishful thinking. He waited to see what would happen next. He moved his hand over his stomach.
And then she entered the house and closed the door behind her.
Gunner let out his breath.
Kyle headed toward his truck, and Gunner darted back inside the barn. Charlotte had been so distracted by her date that she hadn’t even noticed the faint light glowing in the barn or his bike parked right outside. Neither of them had.
His stomach clenched as he headed toward Daisy’s stall. The horse was restless and he suspected she’d be foaling tonight. Charlotte wouldn’t want to miss her labor, but it was too soon to alert her. Maybe it wouldn’t even start until morning.
Anyway, he didn’t want to see Charlotte right now. Didn’t even want to look at her. That was wrong. He had no right to be angry with her. The scene he’d witnessed stuck like a boulder in his throat, making him too agitated to go home and sleep.
He paced the length of the chilly barn. The nights had grown cooler and today was the first day of October. Only four weeks until he moved back to Kentucky and took his new position. Until he left this ranch and Charlotte behind for good.
***
Charlotte wasn’t yet asleep when her phone vibrated at almost two o’clock. She’d been replaying her date with Kyle. In particular, the good-night kiss on the front porch. It had become an end-of-date ritual. He would give her a sweet smile and lean down and brush her lips with his. They’d been taking it very slow.
But tonight’s kiss went on longer than the ones before it had. Two minutes and twelve seconds. Two minutes and twelve seconds was making out. Two minutes and twelve seconds was... progress.
It was progress, right?
There had been no teeth since that first kiss. In fact, since they’d worked out those early kinks, Kyle was mechanically perfect. His lips were soft, his breath fresh. He wasn’t sloppy or pushy. He opened his mouth not too little or too much. Just the right amount. He did all the right things. Said all the right things.
Kyle was an excellent kisser.
She heaved a gut-deep sigh and checked her phone. Gunner.
Daisy is foaling.
She whipped back the covers and jumped from bed. She tried to be quiet so as not to wake Emerson as she navigated the steps. In the foyer she pulled on her boots and jacket. She couldn’t wait to see Daisy’s foal. But first they had to get her through the birth.
A sudden longing for her mother hit hard and drove deep. Itwas Charlotte’s first delivery without her. She knew what to do, but she wished Mom could be here with her. No matter the time of day or night, her mother had loved helping a mare give birth.
Charlotte pushed aside the bittersweet thought and prayed for a safe delivery as she slipped from the house. Nothing was more natural than birthing, but nature didn’t always play nice. Still, she’d managed enough foalings that she wasn’t nervous to handle it without a vet. Without Kyle.
She was halfway to the barn when she slowed her steps. Why was Gunner here? The pregnant mare had been fine when he’d left. Fine at night check. A light was burning and when she entered the barn, she spotted Gunner inside the stall with Daisy.
“Hi.” Charlotte entered the stall and crossed to the mare. “How you doing, girl? You ’bout ready to meet your baby?”
