Page 67 of Country Charm

They are adorable. I am not a dog breed expert, but I can tell these dogs are built for farm life. They look the part: medium-length hair, floppy ears, and curious, alert eyes. One catches my eye, its head tilted in that perfect puppy way. He, or she, has one ear perked up to the sky, and the other is flopped over. The coloring is patches of white, black, and brown. The one upturned ear is black and adorable. Its eyes look curious but astute.

Me: I like the one with the one black ear and green eyes.

Country Charm: That one looks like trouble.

Me: I like trouble.

Country Charm: Lord knows you do.

I laugh to myself. I’m glad Hunter is doing better today. The guy was a wreck the other day and I felt terrible for him. Being so far away means I can only offer a kind word and some verbal reassurance. I’m sure he would have preferred being able to go home to someone for some physical comfort, but that isn’t my place. Nor do I technically want it to be.

Me: I have some possible good news too. What time will you be free tonight?

Country Charm: For you, I could be free in a few hours.

Me: No hurry, just give me a ring after dinner. I have errands to run after work for this weekend.

Country Charm: Anything I can do to help?

Leave it to Hunter to offer more help. Even though he’s far away, he’d make something happen for me in an instant.

Me: Interested in doing a strip tease for a few horny gals?

Country Charm: You looking for a dancer?

Me: I could be.

Country Charm: …

Me: I’m kidding. No, I don’t need anything but thank you.

Country Charm: I feel like I’m not going to want to know what you’re going to be up to this weekend.

Me: Only trouble.

I smile down at my phone for another moment and attach a copy of our busy itinerary to Hunter before closing out my office. Grabbing my things, I shut everything down and lock up for the weekend. As I turn the key in my lock, I see a newly familiar face come up to me.

“Any good weekend plans?” Dom, the man who can’t take a hint, leans against my locked door.

“Bachelorette party. You?” Quick and to the point. I have to run out of here so I can get all my errands done andpack for the weekend before I slink into bed and spend the evening talking with Hunter.

I’m suddenly excited to tell him about the job opportunity because he might be excited for me to get passionate about something.

“I was thinking about checking out the local bar scene since I’m still kind of new to the area, any tips?” He looks me up and down quickly. He can see I have a large bag on my shoulder and another at my feet. I’m clearly not in a position to stand and chat, but it doesn’t stop him.

“You actually went to my best local spot last weekend. The bars close to that one aren’t bad, but that one is the best.” I grab the bag I have set by my feet in my free hand and give him a quick smile. “Let me know if you find somewhere cool on Monday.” It’s the nicest way I can get out of the conversation because I don’t want to stand and force a conversation any longer.

“Will do.” He gives me a kind smile and looks at the obviously heavy bag in my hand before stepping around me and heading down to his desk.

I’m in bed wearing a cami and panties. I’m freshly showered, lotioned, and oiled. I have a cup of tea in my hands, yet I still feel anxious. I can’t place it.

Everything for this weekend is ready and set up on my couch. My overnight bag is packed, and the bag with our goodies, wine, and snacks is all ready to go. The notebook with all the details, confirmations, and reservations is set inside my purse with plenty of cash already pulled. Nothing is out of place. My speech is even finished for nextweekend.

I can’t put my finger on it. Stretching my legs out, I take a long drink of my sleepy tea and look around my room. The stack of books next to my bed looks a little less inviting than usual. I could pick up any of them and read for an hour knowing I would have to just have to reread it later.

I look at my toes and imagine different colors for my pedicure tomorrow to help kill my time while I wait for Hunter. I could go with the classic ballet slipper pink—I know it would go well with anything—or I could be bold and get something brighter to accent my dress next weekend.

I’m imagining what goes best with that wine red and gold comes to mind. Gold would look very nice, but my strappy sandals that go with my dress are already gold, so they might end up clashing. While I stew over paint colors, I’m saved by the vibration of my phone.

---