Her eyes widened. “What?”
“You needed it.”
“I must have really crashed.” She swung her legs off the footstool and stood.
“Your body finally realized it’s safe and took what it needed. Come on—we need to hurry before Miss Collins needs escorted to the next location.”
Her eyes flared wider and she rushed forward. Church took her by the hand and they slipped away from the trailer. Zee was only seated in her usual chair for a minute before Church was back, leading Miss Collins who wore a huge fur coat that almost dragged on the ground and soft suede boots.
Zee felt much more alert and energized too. She was pondering what he said about her feeling safe enough to truly get restorative sleep and knew it had to be true.
By the time Church returned to collect her for the ride home, she was ready to expend some of this energy.
She threw a sidelong look at him and her body stirred as she drank him in. Carved profile. That sexy thread of silver hairalong his temple. Those arms that poised over her while he thrust inside her bulged with muscle. Her insides clutched.
They chatted about the action on the set, but Church was stealing glances at her too, and she couldn’t help but think, as soon as they were alone…
They rolled through the gates of the Black Heart Ranch, greeted by her newest friend, one she had only just recently taken real notice of.
The world around her.
The sun dipped low, and the air carried the early crispness of fall.
Zee barely made it out of the truck before Willow was striding toward her, a long, dark braid bouncing on her shoulder.
She faced the woman, heart suddenly pounding.
“A shipment arrived for you.”
She gulped.
“Rhae told me all about your idea to do sunrise yoga with the vets. It’s such an exciting idea.”
“Oh. Yes. Did my supplies arrive?”
Willow grinned. “There are five boxes from a yoga supply place so I’d say you’ll be ready to hold your first class tomorrow.”
Excitement rippled through her, a sensation she hadn’t felt in too long and one she could get used to.
Church rounded the truck to stand beside her. “Hi, Willow.”
The woman ducked her head in greeting. “Church. C’mon, Zee. I’ll show you where the boxes are.”
When Zee saw the packages near the front door of the lodge, her stomach tightened. The thrill of finding a few yoga supplies in town had been doused by coming out of the shop to find the truck window shattered and broken glass scattered on the ground.
She reached for a box but hesitated.
Willow moved toward the door. “I’ll get a knife to open them.”
“No need.” Church was already reaching into his pocket. He held out a small pocketknife to Zee, and she took it, acknowledging that the metal was warm from his body.
She turned the knife over in her palm, conflicted by the emotions tanged inside her. She felt a flutter of excitement but a stone of worry too, because very soon, she needed to find the courage to open the package from Matt.
But not tonight.
She gasped as she saw the colorful mats in the box. The second one contained straps and blocks for assisting with poses. Those might be used later once the guys got more flexible. There were also candles in calming scents. And the most exciting item—a small wooden plaque with a sunrise painted on it.
A breathless laugh escaped her. “This is perfect.” She looked up to see Willow and Church smiling at her.
