Page 37 of Clumsy in Love

“Pft,” Holly said. “Hardly. Come to momma, you cheesy miracle.”

They told Jen about the red Kia Soul and asked her to be extra vigilant in case Cruz figured out where they were staying.

The pizza disappeared within minutes. Holly leaned back and patted her stomach. “So satisfying. And I didn’t spill a drop.”

“Is that a big feat?” Cole asked. Holly ignored him.

“Cool if I go see the animals, Jen?”

“Lock up when you’re done.”

Holly stood. “I gotta walk off some of this pizza. You coming? Or am I safe enough?”

“You go, we go,” Cole said.

Crickets serenaded the short jaunt to the barn. Holly slid open the door and was met by a loud, high-pitched bray.

Cole jumped. “What the hell is that?”

“Never heard a donkey yell?” Holly laughed.

Cole did a double-take. “A donkey? Are you serious?”

Lucifer stuck his head out of the stall, baring his teeth in a treat-seeking smile. “This is Lucifer,” Holly said, grabbing a carrot from the treat bin. “Use this, and make friends.” She handed Cole the carrot, which he took, but stared at with a blank look.

“Feed it to the donkey,” Holly instructed. “Here, like this.” She reclaimed the carrot and broke it in half, put it on her open palm, and let Lucifer take it from her. The mule chomped greedily, swallowed, and aggressively sniffed around for more. “Your turn.”

Cole gingerly approached the stable door and copied Holly, holding his palm flat. The donkey gobbled up the carrot, andCole stepped back, wiping his hand on his leg. Holly bit her lip to keep from laughing.

“You’re a natural. He loves you.”

“The feeling is not mutual.”

“Let’s try a horse next.” Holly selected two apples from the bin and handed one to Cole. She led him farther down the stalls and opened one containing a beautiful chestnut brown mare. “This is Buttercup.”

Buttercup flicked her tail, swatting at a fly on her flank, then lifted her chin as if giving a head nod greeting.

Cole approached cautiously. “Hello, Buttercup,” he said, tone as stiff as his back. He held out the apple at arm’s length and watched with wide eyes as Buttercup used her big lips to lap up the treat.

“Good job, city slicker. Wanna pet her?”

“You don’t have to patronize me,” Cole said. “Just give me a minute to adjust. I’m used to subway cars, taxis, and bikes. Nothing with legs.”

Cole eased up next to the mare and laid a hand on her neck, petting gently. Buttercup turned and nibbled Cole’s ear, taking him by surprise. “What the…?” He jumped back and grabbed his ear.

“She’s giving kisses,” Holly said. “Means she likes you.”

Buttercup had pushed him up against the stall wall and was nibbling at anything close—his shoulder, the front of his shirt, his hair.

“Kisses?” He put up both hands to block his face. “She’s trying to make out with me! Against my will. No means no, you perv.”

Holly laughed. “Hey, girl,” she said, drawing the horse’s attention to give Cole room to escape. At the first opportunity, he peeled out of the stall and stood behind Holly.

“Okay. Good first try.”

“Any other creatures I should worry about?” His head swiveled around to the other stalls, hackles up, looking for danger.

“Um. We’ll save the goats and chickens for another time.”

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