She winced, then made an effort to clear her face of all sympathy. “Right. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I thought things were going pretty well with us, but I guess not.”
“I did enjoy our time together, all our chats and laughter.” She’d just enjoyed him as a friend would, but he wouldn’t want to hear that word again.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I just—I’m a little blindsided, that’s all.”
This had been quick. But had it really? Hadn’t she known for weeks this relationship wouldn’t amount to anything? She’d caught Kyle unaware just like Vince had when he’d dumped her. She hadn’t meant to hurt Kyle, but waiting so long had been cruel. “I’m really sorry, Kyle.”
“Yeah, I got that.” He pressed the Start button and his truck roared to life. His smile seemed forced. “I’ll get back to you by the end of the day with the results of these samples.”
“Thank you.” She grappled for something else to say, and when nothing came to mind, she stepped away from the truck. The contents of her breakfast curdled in her stomach.
Kyle shut his door, made a three-point turn, and headed down the gravel drive.
Thirty-Three
The mountain of regret and guilt evaporated an hour later at the sound of Gunner’s approaching motorcycle. Charlotte hadn’t expected to see him since she’d told him to take the morning off.
Adrenaline pumped through her system, speeding her pulse and making her breaths shallow. She’d just turned out the horses and was about to muck stalls. But she set the shovel down and headed outside instead. How would he respond to her in the light of day?
She wrung her hands in anticipation of that talk—it would determine whether or not they had a future.
The sun peeked between the mountain pass, bright and beautiful against a cloudless blue sky. The early October air held a refreshing chill, though it would get up to almost eighty today. And why was she thinking about the weather when a very attractive man was rolling toward her, armed with an irresistible grin? Her heart did a flip-flop.
He stopped the bike a few feet away and shut it down,ushering in silence. Their gazes tangled for a long, delicious moment. She’d really become fond of those eyes. And the way they stared at her just now stole the words from her mouth.
“Morning.” His voice was morning-raspy.
She tilted her head and crossed her arms. “You really don’t listen very well, Mr.Dawson.”
He removed his helmet, then offered a playful shrug. “What can I say? I couldn’t sleep.”
“Oh yeah? And why’s that?” Had he been reviewing their kiss a hundred times too? Speculating about what the future might hold?
“I couldn’t help but notice you’re not lying in bed either. And you’ve already fed and turned out the horses, so you’ve been up awhile yourself.”
She mimicked his playful shrug. “The horses wait for no man.”
“Or woman. How’s our foal faring this morning?” He dismounted but stayed put.
She itched to close the distance between them but couldn’t make her feet budge. “He and Mama are doing great. He’s been nursing a lot, as you’d expect. Daisy’s in mommy heaven. She hardly pays me any mind when I come around. I can’t even blame her. That colt’s as cute as they come.”
“Have you decided on a name?”
“I was thinking about Hunter.”
He arched a brow. “Because...?”
“October is the Hunter’s Moon, and it was full last night.”
“Was it now? I hadn’t noticed.”
Her cheeks warmed at his flirtatious tone. At the memory of that moonlit look he’d given her just before he’d ridden off intothe night. She wished she had the nerve to tell him she wouldn’t turn down a good-morning kiss. But he was still yards away, hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans.
He let out a low, throaty chuckle. “Have I mentioned I love the way you blush?”
“It’s so embarrassing.”
