Page 100 of The Moment They Can't Forget

Her shoulders slumped. “Okay.”

“You want to clean out the stall that Potato slept in last night? Then put down the fresh bedding for tonight. The wheelbarrow is just outside the door,” JD said, fighting to keep his face serious. “We’ll work out your pay grade later,” he called as Ally ran to get what she needed.

“Thanks for reinforcing that. She’s smarter than all of us, so make sure you stand your ground,” Zoe said from behind him.

“She’s a Duke, so I expected that.”

Zoe was still holding Roman’s lead, and the big horse didn’t seem too tense, but he wasn’t relaxed either. Potato was standing beside him.

“Which stall shall I put him in?”

JD walked to the last one and opened the door, and Zoe led him inside. Potato stopped in the doorway and watched.

“I’ll get some water and feed for him,” JD said.

“Okay.”

“You want to move, Potato, so I can get inside?” He nudged the donkey, and she shuffled a few inches, so he squeezed by her. “Clearly they’ve bonded.”

“You never know who you’re going to be attracted to,” Zoe said, stroking the horse’s long silver neck. She then backed up and leaned on the wall. The donkey moved closer, and Roman let her. Then they just stood there inches from each other.

“That is so cute,” Zoe said when JD joined her leaning on the wall. “He’ll need washing and grooming, but for today I think you should just let him settle in and maybe put Potato next to him.”

Their faces were close, close enough that he saw the small scar coming out of her eyebrow. He touched it softly. “How’d you get this?”

“Dan threw a stick at me, but the sharp end dug in. He was grounded for a week.”

JD smiled. “And you made him pay, I’m sure.”

Her smile was all menace.

“So Zoe Duke is an animal whisperer,” he said, leaning in to meet her as she moved into him. “With really soft lips.” He kissed her.

“JD.” She whispered his name. “We can’t do this again, and definitely not here with Ally close.” Her hand gripped his shirt.

“I know, so let me go.”

“Why can’t I?” she whispered.

He kissed her again, just a brush of his lips over hers. His hand slid under her hair, stroking the smooth skin of her neck.

“What the fuck is this?”

They both turned to see Sawyer standing behind Potato, looking like the god of thunder.

“I’m kissing your sister,” JD said with more calm than he was actually feeling. “Just a kiss, Sawyer.”

“That was more than a kiss. You were touching each other!”

“That’s enough,” JD said. “You’re scaring the animals. Take it down a notch, Sawyer.” JD pushed out of the stable, and Zoe followed, closing the half door. They then moved away from the horses.

“Do not say one more word,” Zoe snapped facing her brother. “I’m an adult, and if I want to kiss every single man in Lyntacky, that’s my right.”

“No, it’s not,” her brother said, jabbing a finger at her. “You should know better than messing about with him.”

“Meaning what?” JD’s words came out hard.

“You shut up. I’m dealing with her. If I talk to you, I’m punching you.”

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