The grin spreads across her face, and the blush that follows travels from her collarbones to her cheeks in a slow wave. Shebites her lower lip, and the sight of it nearly derails my train of thought entirely.
"You're impossible," she says.
"I've heard that a time or two."
She shakes her head, but the grin stays, and the softness in the set of her jaw tells me everything her words don’t. We finish the blending trials by late morning, and the final ratio is the one we both agree on.
We clean up the morning's work and I hang my apron on the hook by the door. When I turn around, she's leaning against the worktable with her arms crossed.
"Come to dinner Sunday at the ranch," I offer. "Gran's been asking about you."
Sunny tilts her head. "Sunday dinner at Twin Oaks. Should I be nervous?"
"You've already met the whole family. This is the easy part." I fold my arms across my chest. "I also thought we could get in another riding lesson before dinner. Pearl's been restless, and I think she misses you."
"Pearl misses the apple slices I brought her."
"She perked up when I mentioned your name this morning. Swear to God."
Sunny's expression softens. "Fine. I'll come to dinner." Then she straightens. "But I want quality time with the ducks." She says it with complete seriousness. "I need to work on my relationship with Kevin."
"Nobody has a relationship with that demon duck. Kevin has enemies and people he hasn't bitten yet."
"Then I'll be the first. I have a way with difficult personalities."
"I've noticed."
"I also want to meet Evie," she adds. "I've heard so many stories about this child that I feel like I already know her, and I need to verify whether she's as formidable as you claim."
"She's a three-foot terror and she runs that household," I answer. "Mason does whatever she tells him, and he's more than twice her size."
"I can't wait." The words are laced with humor. "What time should I be there?"
"One o'clock. That should give us plenty of time for your riding lesson and your duck diplomacy. Fair warning, though, Kevin holds a grudge."
She laughs, and I carry the sound of it with me, past Tabitha behind the bar, and out into the parking lot.
Sunday's just three days away. And somehow, that already feels too damn long.
Chapter 11
Sunny
Iturn beneath the wrought-iron Twin Oaks archway and my pulse immediately amps up but this time it’s different. I’m not afraid or nervous—I’m excited. The enormous barn comes into view, and I don’t hold back the grin that stretches my face. I know exactly who's waiting for me at the end of the drive and I can’t wait to see him.
Just as I hoped, Charlie is leaning against the fence near the barn when I pull in, his arms crossed and hat tipped back. He looks like a man who's been standing there awhile and doesn't mind one bit. He crosses the gravel as I park, and I barely have the truck door open before he snags my waist and drags me out. Before I know it, his lips capture mine in broad daylight where everyone can see.
We've kissed in my kitchen, under the willow tree behind the ranch house, on my front porch in the dark, but never completely out in the open like this. His mouth takes its own sweet time, and his palm presses into the small of my back. The surprise of it holds me still for one long second before the rest of me catches up.
I lean into him, gripping the front of his shirt. His other arm wraps around me, and the kiss deepens just enough to makethe Sunday afternoon feel like something worth remembering. When he draws back, his hazel eyes are bright with satisfaction, and my cheeks are burning so hot I could light a match off them.
"Hey, Sunshine," he murmurs, his lips curving in a content smile.
"You realize you just kissed me in front of your entire ranch."
"I sure did." He doesn't look remotely concerned. "I missed you," he says.
I laugh despite myself. "It's only been three days, Charlie."
