Page 59 of The Cowgirl's Secret Love
Tamara shared a few stories of what had happened at the Canada Day celebrations, including the tidbit that Zach had come close to being purchased bytwowomen. At least until Malachi Fields had reminded everyone that, according to the rules, that wasn’t allowed. No matter that the women insisted they were willing to share—although not at the same time.
Amusement broke through the shell wrapped around Karen. “That would’ve been entertaining to see. How on earth did Malachi explain that in a child-friendly manner?”
“Very, very carefully,” Tamara said with a snicker. “Don’t bother bringing anything tomorrow but come over early if you can. The girls are off school for summer, and they’re eager for time with their Auntie Karen.”
“I love spending time with them too.” Karen’s gaze drifted to the thick yellow envelope that was next in her pile.
Department of Education. Equine Therapy.
Tamara said goodbye, and Karen mindlessly hung up, pulling the envelope toward her. It was a hefty package, a good half inch thick— Probably not the thing she should dig into in her current mood. She pushed it aside and finished the rest of her tasks.
Finn returned from whatever he’d been doing out back, motioning her toward him. “Come on.”
He’d started a fire in the circular pit at the base of the deck. Finn lowered himself gingerly into an Adirondack chair. He stretched out his legs and leaned back with a sigh of relief.
Karen grabbed them both drinks then joined him. The arrangement provided a great view of both the fire pit and the mountains in the distance.
“It’s too early to see the flames properly, but sitting by a fire is always relaxing.” His all-too-knowing gaze drifted over her. “We both need a little relaxing.”
It was exactly what she needed. To sit, in silence, staring at the dancing flames as small white clouds drifted across the sky. The quiet passage of time didn’t answer any questions or solve any problems, but it was soothing and low demand because Finn made it that way.
Zach showed up with supper just when the rumbling in her stomach had been about to force her to deal with dinner.
“I’ve got takeout. Neither of you answered your phone, so you’re stuck with what I selected from the East Indian menu.” Zach rested his elbows on the railing as he examined them. “If you haven’t grown roots over there, come to the table.”
Karen got to her feet, stepping over to extend a hand to Finn and help him wrangle his way out of the chair.
His strong grasp wrapped around her wrist, and one sharp tug later he was vertical, smiling down with that unreadable expression. They stared at each other for a moment, the quiet that had surrounded them for the past couple of hours a nearly tangible thing.
She reached up to push away the lock of hair that had fallen across his forehead. “Thanks. Again.”
“No problem.” He caught her fingers and gently pressed them against his lips.
Her stomach tumbled.
They made their way inside where for the next hour Zach Sorenson provided comic relief by replaying every moment of the bachelor auction with dramatic voices and everything.
Even with the lighthearted entertainment, Karen was ready to call it a night when Zach laid a hand on her arm. “You’ve had a rough day. I’ll help Finn with anything he needs to hit the sack.”
“You just want to gloat more about these two women who were fighting over you,” Finn grumbled, but he looked Karen in the eye. “I’ll be fine. Go get some shut-eye.”
Her eyes may have closed, but her sleep was anything but restful. Still, she got out of bed at the regular time to discover someone had woken before her.
There was a new wildflower in a glass on the counter.
The tight knot inside her belly was still there, but a whisper of something sweet drifted in as well. Enough to let her shoulders loosen slightly before she grabbed a cup of coffee and got on with her day.
She put in a solid morning’s work before tracking down Finn to let him know she would be out for the evening.
He nodded, frowning distractedly at the receipts he had spread all over her kitchen table. “Zach promised he’d bring food over again, so don’t worry about me.” He glanced up, focus suddenly intent. “Have a good time with your family. Say hello to your dad from me.”
Of all the stupid things…“Shoot. I should’ve told Tamara you’d come with me. I know Dad would love to see you again.”
This time, though, Finn shook his head. “Not yet. Right now you girls are still getting reacquainted with him, and I’m not about to interrupt that. But if you find out when he plans to come down again, we can take him out to dinner.”
“I can do that.” Karen stood awkwardly in the doorway, uncertain whether she should kiss him goodbye or just leave.
Finn solved the problem by crooking a finger at her. “I know I’m a little distracted, but think of this as a necessary evil.”
