Page 38 of Stealing Kisses

The professional football player —living legend,more like it — chuckled. “Oh yeah,” he said in a voice dripping with love for his sweet wife, who Baylin had come to adore through quilt guild meetings and projects. “It’s rare I get to be part of a fan club. It was a special night.”

“Well, I’m glad it was a banner evening out. What you dois none of my business. That includes Teddy…exceptfor the ear-splitting cacophony taking place on my porch.” Baylin prayed her words of wisdom sounded more convincing to the men than they did to her own ears. “You’re all welcome to continue the party…in the barn.Just try not to scare my horses, please.”

Baylin nodded and waved good night.She stepped back to close and lock the front door, but Teddy put his hand in the way, forcing her to acknowledge him.

“Can we talk?”

“No.”

“Bay—”

“Tomorrow’s another long day; I’d like to go to bed.”

She looked anywhere except into his eyes. She just couldn’t.

It didn’t help much. The way he studied her sent cold chills and heat waves across her skin, a physical embodiment of the diametrical tugs on her emotions when she thought of Teddy.

The answer? Don’t think about him at all.

“Good night,” she said in a tone that could only be described as dismissing.

He got the message and stepped away from the door frame.

Of their own accord, her eyes lifted to his face as she shut the door. The granite set of his jaw and the dark depths of his beautiful green eyes displayed blatant sadness and unveiled concern in their stormy depths.

16

No matter how bad your heart is broken,

the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

Faraaz Kazi

After a night of tossing and turning in the barn, Teddy made his way downstairs to fill buckets of grain for the horses at 5:15 a.m., and they already had grain. He entered the chicken coop to gather eggs; either they’d not laid any or someone already collected them. The pigs had empty slop troughs and fresh water. New hay lined the cows’ open-front shed.

Did she stay up all night?

Surprised to find it unlocked, Teddy opened the kitchen door with apprehension.

Baylin stood at the sink washing a mug. She looked up when he walked inside, and Teddy had his answer; dark circles under puffy, red-rimmed eyes sent a jagged stab of regret through his gut.

“Good—” he began.

“Jax asked me to tell you that your car is ready,” she interrupted.

The knife twisted.

Teddy had spent the week telling Baylin all about Boxy, far beyond anything she’d been interested to hear. He’d shared his worries that the treasured car would never be the same. He’d been on pins and needles waiting for word from the garage.

In that moment, Teddy couldn’t have cared less that Jax had finished working on her.

“Oh, that’s great.” His attempt at enthusiasm flopped.

“I need to leave by seven; if you can be ready by then, I’ll drop you off at his shop on my way.”

“I’m ready now,” Teddy said.

“Great.” Hergreatsounded even bleaker than his earlier one.

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