Page 36 of Hot For You

“These heifers are the best of the herd,” Cody was saying. “All come from champion stock.”

Carilyn watched as the two girls and one boy, all of about eleven or twelve, talked with Cody. They discussed growth rate, reproductive efficiency, conformation, skeletal correctness, and disposition. She liked watching the way he interacted with the kids, on their level. He didn’t talk down to them. He engaged the 4-H’ers as adults, answering all of their questions and comments.

Cody surprised Carilyn by drawing her into the group and introducing her to the kids. “Everyone, this is Carilyn,” he said. Then he gestured to each kid as he continued. “Carilyn, meet Amanda, Cindy, and Garth Johnson.”

“I take it you’re all related.” She smiled and shook each of their hands as they told her they were cousins. “Have you picked out which calves you want?” she asked.

“This is my first time,” Cindy said. She gestured to a heifer, the largest of the bunch. “She’s pretty and I like her disposition.”

“Not me.” Amanda shook her head and pointed to the one closest to them. “I think she has the best lines and show quality.”

The boy picked his out of the remaining three heifers and seemed satisfied with his choice. They discussed price and Cody looked like he was holding back amusement and approval at their attempts at haggling.

“You all drive a hard bargain.” He looked at each one of them. “I’m going to give you an excellent price, and it is the lowest I will go.”

When he gave them the price the kids chimed in their agreement. He promised to keep the heifers for them until they each returned later that evening with their parents. Looking thoroughly excited, the 4-H’ers each mounted a horse and then took off at a fast trot.

“You’re good with children,” Carilyn said as they headed toward the ranch house.

“I like kids.” Cody smiled. “Want a few of my own one day.”

Carilyn smiled, too. “So do I.”

As they walked, Cody put his arm around her shoulders. It felt comfortable and natural, and she didn’t shy away.

When they reached the house and walked inside, Cody sniffed the air. “Do I smell brownies?”

She gave a little laugh. “Burnt brownies.”

He looked at her and grinned. “My favorite.”

“Uh-huh,” she said and shook her head, but he grinned.

They walked inside and went into the kitchen. They sat at the table, drank cold milk, and ate the burnt brownies. She was surprised that he ate half the pan along with two tall glasses of milk. She ate three brownies herself. They weren’t too bad for being burnt.

“My mom used to make these.” He brushed crumbs off his fingers and onto the plate. “Outside of Oreo cookies, they’re my favorite.”

“Sorry to ruin them for you,” Carilyn said.

He reached out and touched the side of her face. “That was my mom’s recipe and what you made is great. Thank you for making the brownies for me.”

She couldn’t help smiling in return. He was so genuine and sincere. “You’re welcome,” she said.

He let his hand drop away from her face, but his gaze remained on her. “You manage to surprise me,” he said.

She raised her brows. “I hope that’s not a bad thing.”

“No, it’s not a bad thing at all.” The corner of his mouth curved. “You’re a beautiful women who happens to be a computer geek; you bounced back from a head injury sooner than I expected; you’re brave; you’re genuine; and you even made me brownies.”

She laughed. “Burnt brownies.”

“Best burnt brownies I ever ate,” he said with a grin then leaned forward and brushed his lips over hers.

Chapter 13

Carilyn sat on the porch swing, alone for a second day. Cody had taken four days off from work, which apparently wasn’t usual—he had traded with another firefighter so that he could stay with Carilyn an extra day. Starting Monday it had been time for him to work a forty-eight hour shift where he would sleep at the fire department and then he’d have seventy-two hours off.

The butterfly soft feeling of his lips against hers had left her tingling. All he’d done was give her that light kiss and it had made her body warm and desire him in a way she’d never expected. She wondered what would have happened the next day if he hadn’t had to leave for his shift at the fire department. Would he have kissed her again? Would it have become more than a kiss?

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