Page 48 of Ocotillo Kisses
Chapter Eighteen
Brittcouldn’t keep her eyes from Con as Sophie swum over to him, gripped his slick shoulders and looked up at him adoringly. Lacey was right, Con was the best kind of man. He picked up Sophie by the waist and tossed her in the air, so she kicked her feet in the air and came down with a splash, screaming with delight. She paddled back to him and held her arms for him to do it again.
“I feel like we have a new potential babysitter,” Sofia said with a grin. “Sophie, leave poor Con alone.”
“But it’s fun!”
“Not for Con,” Caleb said, motioning for his daughter to come back by him. “Why don’t you practice floating on your back?”
The little girl had too much energy for that, but she left Con alone, dog paddling from one side of the pool to the other, checking to see if Con was watching. He made a point of glancing her direction and nodding his approval every once in a while.
Britt could resist no longer. She slipped into the water and swam over to him.
“You want me to toss you, too?” he asked with that smile she only saw him give to her.
She had no doubt he could. They used to play like that when they were younger, anything to touch each other. Many nights they had spent in this pool, under the Texas sky, driving each other crazy. But she dared not do that now, even though every cell in her body ached for contact. “You should come swimming here more often. I’m sure Grandma wouldn’t mind.”
“It’s not like I have a lot of spare time these days,” he reminded her.
She did know that. “You’re giving Richard more responsibility around the place now, though,” she said. “You said that was what you were working toward.”
“Sure, but I still want to be available for meetings.”
“Which aren’t every day.” She still wanted to push him to go to vet school but this wasn’t the time. She just felt like he would be happier, and the town would have its own vet and not have to go all the way to Kimmel. She knew going back to school at thirty would be hard, but he should at least give it a chance.
But before she could even think of what to say, Caleb and Sofia were gathering their things to leave.
“School tomorrow,” Caleb said as an excuse. “It’s the end of the year, but still need to get up early to get there on time. It’s been a long busy day.” He lifted his daughter into his arms, but her feet dangled nearly to his knees. “Sorry to leave the clean-up to y’all.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Britt said, rising from the pool to see her guests off. “I hope y’all had fun, and maybe you can come back another day before I head home.” She sure was inviting a lot of people to her grandmother’s. But she didn’t think Millie would mind the company too much.
Caleb lifted a finger to his lips in warning, but Sophie’s head popped right up from his shoulder, her eyes bright.
“Maybe I can come after we ride horses at Con’s house. Right, Dad?”
“We’ll call first and make sure it’s okay,” he said. “You sure have a lot to do for someone who was worried you’d be bored this summer.”
Because Britt was still dripping from the pool, she only walked them to the back door, and let them see themselves out the front.
Ginny and Austin left soon after, looking at each other in a way that made Britt’s heart twist, just a little. Poppy and Javi stayed to help carry the snacks back into the house, piled the towels up in the laundry room. Britt couldn’t help wondering if Poppy lingered so long because she didn’t want Britt and Con alone together.
“Thanks, so much, you guys,” Britt said, urging them toward the door. Because yes, she did want to be alone with Con, and his belongings were still in the back by the pool. She hoped Poppy had all she needed in the little bag she carried over her shoulder. Poppy didn’t want to be rushed, but Javi guided her gently, clearly reading Britt’s intentions.
“It’s a school night for you, too,” he pointed out.
“Yeah, but it’s the end of the year, so it’s not like I have to be well-rested. Two more weeks until summer vacation.” She looked at Con. “Maybe some day I can come out and ride?”
Staking her claim. Britt got it.
“That would be fun,” Con said in a tone that said he meant every word.
Britt wanted to scream. She could not kiss Con again if he was really considering a relationship with Poppy. He had told her yesterday he wasn’t all that interested, but he knew Poppy liked him, and he was still encouraging her.
Or maybe discouraging Britt. That thought gave her a twist in the gut, but seemed to please Poppy as she followed Javi out the door.
