My eyes dropped to her lips, and for a brief moment of insanity, I wondered what it would be like to taste them.
Lena’s tongue darted out, running along her lower lip, and I caught a groan in the back of my throat. I knew I shouldn’t want to, but the problem was, thinking about Lena like that—wanting to drag her in for a kiss—was happening all the time lately. And it was getting harder and harder to convince myself it would be a bad idea. The wee devil on my shoulder seemed so very sure that kissing her would be nothing but good.
She stepped back suddenly. “I should…get back to work.”
“Wait,” I said, voice thick. I shook off the lingering exhaustion and ridiculous thoughts I was having. “Leave that for now. There’s something I want to show you.”
“If it’s Bonnie again, count me out,” Lena said, following me out of the office and down the hall. “She’s already leveled me with her little horsey demon eyes this morning.”
I laughed. “It’s not Bonnie. Though Agnes said she got in the back door and ate through a portion of Milo’s dog kibble before she managed to shoo her out.”
“Menace,” Lena muttered, clearly still bitter about their first meeting. “There should be warning signs posted around the property.”
“Beware of tiny horse?”
“Yes, it might gnaw at your knees.”
“Did you ever think you’d have a nemesis?”
“And that it would be a Shetland pony?” she snorted. “Not in a million years.”
I paused in the front hall, looking down at her feet and the nice white trainers she was wearing. “You’re gonna want something a little less white on your feet.”
“Why?” she asked, suspicious.
I shot her a wry grin. “You’re going to love it, I promise. But seriously, I think it’s time for your first pair of wellies.”
Once Lena was properly outfitted—unfortunately with a pair of wellies that were a size too big—I led her out to the cattle shed. It smelled strongly of manure and wet straw, but she didn’t bat an eye, following me down the main aisle.
“Am I about to find out where you disappeared to all night?” she asked.
I grinned at the excitement in her voice, then paused beside a pen, pointing out the Highland calf curled up in the back corner. It was half buried in straw, just a tiny mound of ginger hair visible.
“Oh my God,” Lena cooed, leaning right up against the fence. “Who is this little one?”
“This is the newest addition to Lochbrae,” I said proudly. “I helped Callum deliver her this morning. Pulled her out myself.”
“Okay, ScottishGrey’s Anatomy,” she said, laughing. But then the calf yawned, and Lena covered her mouth with both hands, making a squeal of pure adoration that had the calf’s ears twitching. “She’s friggin’ adorable. I just want to touch the soft fluff on the top of her head. And pat that little nose!”
“Do you want to meet her?” I asked.
She turned to me, eyes wide, jaw dropped. “How is that even a question?”
I rolled my eyes playfully. “Oh, of course. Forgive me for even thinking otherwise.” I unlatched the gate, holding it open for Lena, snorting as she raced past me.
She approached the calf slowly,ooohing andawwwing as the little ball of hair poked its head up, regarding her with those big black eyes. “Look at you,” Lena cooed, kneeling down in the straw. “You’re so precious.”
The calf shuffled forward, laying its head on her knee, and Lena beamed at me, giving it a scratch. “Better than Paris?”
Lena laughed. “Don’t tell Tess, but so much better! I don’t know how Callum gets anything done around the property,” she said. “I’d want to spend every moment in here. What’s her name?”
“She still needs one,” I said. “Any thoughts?”
She ran her fingers through that ginger coat. “I’m gonna suggest Little Miss Snuggle Muffin.”
“I didn’t think you’d be able to do worse than Lord Wigglebottom, but?—”
“Hey!” she complained. She frowned, attempting to give me one of her stern looks, but it fractured the moment the calf made a little chuff. “Okay, fine,” she said. “A real name, then. What’s her mom called?”
