Page 98 of Silent Threat
Kelly shot her a dark look. “Keep it up and you get no dessert.”
Then they were both distracted by Darcy getting frisky with Bridget.
Once that tragically short bit of cinematic brilliance ended, Kelly said, “I’ve known for a long time that Ricky wasn’t right for me. I married him back when I thought the cutest guy was the right guy. But I’ve realized that the right guy is the one who goes and feeds your skunks at midnight.”
“I have no idea what you’re hinting.”
Kelly nudged her. “I think Cole is the right guy for you. From the moment he met you, he’s been there for you at every turn. And you light up when you talk about him. Even when you’re mad at him.”
Annie pulled back into the corner of the couch. “That’s the problem. I’m a therapist. He’s a patient. I’m the one who’s supposed to be there forhim.”
“You should have seen him at the hospital after the accident. He’s mad about you, Annie. He looks at you like Darcy looks at Bridget.
Annie’s heart clenched.
“Do you think you’re falling in love?” Kelly asked.
“Yes.” The single word nearly made Annie hyperventilate.
I’m falling in love with Cole Makani Hunter.
Scary, scary thought. She didn’t know what to do with the realization. She couldn’t possibly follow up on her feelings, could she?
“There are plenty of people in this world who never find true love.” A shadow crossed Kelly’s face. “Those who do have the responsibility to make it work.”
“You’ll find your true love.”
“If I do, you can be sure I’m not going to waste it. And don’t tell me to mind my own business. We’re cousins. It’s my job to stick my nose into your business. It’s in the cousin handbook of rules.”
Annie bit back a grin. “I’m glad we’re cousins. I’m glad I came back to Broslin. It’s nice to have family.”
And it was nice to have love too—both the love of family, and the love Annie felt for Cole.
Cole Makani Hunter was worth fighting for, she decided.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Wednesday
COLE CAUGHT UPwith Annie early the following morning as she was brushing the donkey in the garage.
Since Esmeralda had a bad habit of trying to bite his butt, Cole stopped in the doorway. “I’m sorry if I pushed too hard last night.”
Annie set down the brush. The light came in through the window behind her, painting her chestnut hair golden. With her animals around her, she looked like some ancient earth goddess.
He couldn’t read the expression on her face as she walked toward him. At least this time she wasn’t running. But would she send him away?
“Nothing that happens between us is wrong,” he told her.
She stopped in front of him. And then she kissed him.
For a second, Cole couldn’t move. He’d come here to plead his case. He wanted to confess how he felt about her.
He’d prepared for a difficult encounter. Instead, she fried his brain with a kiss.
Before he could show her how much he loved this change to his plans, she was pulling back, stepping away, obviously misinterpreting his lack of response. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” She flushed. “I thought you wanted ...”
He reached for her, but she took another quick step back and held out a hand to ward him off, a torn expression on her face.
