Page 27 of Wishes on Wildflowers
Jasmine shifted a little away from him. “That’s what I told you.”
“Do you think she’ll let me get close enough to examine her flank?”
Much as she hated to admit it, Jasmine was thankful he’d returned. Not only because she was unsure of the goat’s care, but because it proved he’d become a responsible man who did what he said he would do. Thankfully the dim lighting hid the flush that crept up her face as she thought of the other promises he’d made earlier. At least, she hoped he couldn’t see her embarrassment.
Nathan walked slowly toward Pansy with his hands outstretched. Pansy hopped sideways twice then leapt at Nathan, nearly knocking him to the ground.
“Hey there, girl.” Nathan snagged her halter before she could dart away as quickly as she’d come. “Let me have a look.” His hand stroked the goat’s back then rested on her flank. Pansy jerked away and leapt onto a tall rock that was one of her favorites.
Nathan shook his head, chuckling. “I think she’s fine. But I’ll pop over in the morning when it’s daylight and have another look, just to be sure.” He glanced over at Jasmine with his eyebrows raised. “That okay with you?”
Jasmine leaned against the fence with her arms crossed in front of her. If the goat was fine, the goat was fine. He didn’t need to keep stopping by. She let out a long breath then sucked in again as he strolled toward her, eyes never leaving her face.
She sidled along the fence to keep some distance. “No need to worry about it. I’ll milk her at seven and be to the clinic by nine. Then I’ll check on her again at lunchtime. If it seems to be giving her problems, I’ll call the veterinarian then.”
Nathan stopped a mere arm’s length away. His handshung loosely by his side, his fingers twitching slightly. Those gray eyes, like the ocean on a stormy day, burned into her. He smelled good. Too good.
One hand slid into his jeans pocket and came out with his cell phone. He thumbed it on and the strains ofJust the Way You Arebopped toward her.
If there was ever a song that would throw her straight back to her senior year in high school, that was it. And he knew it. “No fair,” she whispered.
A grin poked at the corners of his mouth, as he slipped the phone back into his pocket, which barely muted the sound. He held his hand toward her. “May I have this dance?”
What would it hurt? Her lips tingled at the memory from two hours ago, from the memories of eight and more years ago, but she shook her head. “No.” Wow, that had sure lacked conviction. She inhaled. “No,” she repeated putting more confidence into her words.
His hand caught hers. “Are you sure? For old time’s sake?”
“For old time’s sake would be exactly the wrong reason, Nathan. I am trying to forget we ever had a history, and I’d thank you to stop trying to remind me.”
His hand remained outstretched. “I was a fool, Jasmine. I didn’t truly see what was in front of me. I was just a kid, and you seemed so grown-up, even though you’re two years younger. You knew what you wanted out of life, and it scared me.” He took a step closer and rested both hands on her hips. “I’m not a kid anymore, Jasmine. And I’m not afraid.”
She certainly was. Why did they have to keep leaving each other like this? She pushed his hands away, stepped past him, and strode toward the house. With her hand on the doorknob, she spoke. “Thanks for giving me a hand withPansy. Goodbye, Nathan.” And she slipped inside and locked the door.
Nathan pushed openthe door to Bridgeview Bakery and Bistro at four forty-five Tuesday afternoon, early for his meeting with the North cousins. He’d suspected that Jasmine often stopped by after she closed the clinic, and he just wanted a glimpse of her. That’s all. Make sure she was doing all right. Maybe he’d inquire how the goat was doing.
Yes, there she was at a corner table angling forward, with Kass leaning her red head close to Jasmine’s dark hair. If he’d expected them to be laughing, that was definitely not the sight that met his eyes.
Not that she couldn’t be serious about anything besides worry for Pansy and pushing him away. He honestly shouldn’t even care. He was the one who’d left. He hadn’t wasted any time in his life moving on, finding a new girlfriend, finding someone who was willing to give him what Jasmine wouldn’t. He’d wanted the good times — yes, the sex — without the commitments, and he’d found that. His regrets ran deep.
Hailey stood behind the counter with a sparkling smile. “Nathan! You’re early for our meeting. Would you like a coffee while you wait? How about a cinnamon roll?” She winked. “I saved you one.”
Nathan reached for his wallet. “I know I’m a bit early. I just wanted time to go over my notes for a few minutes while soaking in the ambience of this place. A cinnamon roll sounds good.” He pulled his debit card from its sleeve.
Hailey put her hand on top of his. “Oh, Nathan, this is on the house. You’re doing so much to help Kass and me. What’s a cinnamon roll and a little coffee between friends?” Her eyelashes twitched.
Nathan extricated his hand as he took a step back, continuing to hold the card out in front of him. “I’m not here as a friend so much.” He smiled, hoping to take the sting away. “I’m here as a consultant.”
Hailey’s hands fluttered. “It holds true even more that way. It’s on the house. Thank you so much for coming in.”
He kept his gaze on her as she poured a coffee, seeming to remember that he took his black. He tucked the card back into his wallet and the wallet back into his pocket before reaching for the coffee cup. “In that case, thank you.”
She slid a plate with a cinnamon roll across the counter to him. “Have a seat anywhere you like. We’re closing in just a few minutes, and Kass and I will join you then.” She looked past his arm and smiled at the person who’d come in behind him. “Marietta! Good to see you.”
Oh, boy. Had Jasmine’s grandmother noticed how Hailey flirted with him? But surely she knew what Hailey was like. Nathan hadn’t given any indication that he was flirting back, had he?
Lifting his mug and plate he turned and nodded to the elderly Italian woman then stepped away.
Her narrowed gaze stopped him in his tracks, reminding Nathan that she had a reason to mistrust all Hamelins. Dafne was another of her granddaughters.
