“Great.” I take a step back, then another. I still don’t look away, though. “See you later, then.”
“Do you need help? With your chores, I mean?” She bites her lip, as if she’s uncertain about having offered that.
But my God, I want to say yes.
I grin at her. “You know how to break in fresh rope, City Girl?”
She lifts her chin. “I could learn.”
“I bet you could.”
Do Ineedhelp?
Not exactly.
Do I want to say yes anyway?
Fuck yeah.
If she wants extra work, Icouldshow her around the barn. “You said Bellamy is going to have a nap this afternoon?”
“She might.”
“Would you leave her in the house with Luna?”
That’s a big question. I know it’s a scary thing for Hope to consider.
Slowly, she nods.
I return the acknowledgement. “Then come find me at the barn.” I mean to offer her some jobs shecan do in her new boots, but that’s not what comes out of my mouth. “If you’re interested, I’ll give you a lesson with rope. Just in case you ever have to tie someone up.”
Her eyes flare wide.
But she doesn’t look away.
And the way shestaresat me—and the warmth of her gaze on my back as I walk away—stays with me for the rest of the morning.
Chapter 14
Hope
We have lunch with Luna, who is happy to babysit for a few hours, and then Bellamy goes down for a nap faster than she has in ages.
I watch her breathe for a full minute. Maybe two.
Then I stand up before I can talk myself out of it.
I’m just going down to the barn, and I won’t be long. Luna’s upstairs in her studio, with the door open, and she’ll keep her ear open. And I have Zane’s old phone, so she can call me if Bellamy wakes up before I get back.
Besides, after the emotional rollercoaster morning, now that Bellamy’s out, she’ll probably sleep for at least two hours.
I wish I had jeans to change into, they would be better for the barn than my leggings. Part of me is tempted to ask if Zane has any I can borrow—because I’d be too big for any of Luna’s jeans—but that makes my cheeks blaze.
In the bathroom, I splash cold water on my face as I quickly put my hair into two mini French braids to keep the frizz at bay.
The water doesn’t help with how pink my cheeks are, damn it.
Taking a deep breath, I stare at myself in the mirror. I don't look like a woman who hasn't slept through the night in four years. I look like a woman about to go do something foolish.
