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“Hilary stopped by this morning and helped feed everyone. She wanted to get more comfortable with everything before I go to Utah with you.” He lifts his chin toward Hilary. “You don’t have anything to worry about. You’re a natural.”
Hilary does a dramatic fake flip of her short blonde hair on either side and laughs. “Why, thank you. I even helped milk the girls this morning and didn’t get kicked once.” Delphine sidles up next to her and Hilary pats her on the back. “That guy works his ass off,” she says, pointing at Callum. “After all you’ve done for Sof on that barn...I’m absolutely thrilled to help you out any chance I can get.” She pauses and looks at me. “Did he tell you he designed Sofie and Theo’s barn? It’s a work of art. You can probably imagine just by looking at his house.”
“No, he didn’t tell me that. I’ll have to see it. I do love his house…and his barn,” I say.
And pretty much everything I know about him so far.
“Thank you, ladies,” Callum says softly, continuing to pet each animal that wanders over. “They’re comfortable with you,” he tells Hilary. “You’ve done great today. Abby did too, from what I saw.” He looks at me. “Hilary’s wife was out here early this morning too.”
“That’s so nice of you both,” I say.
“Like I said, we’d do anything for Callum. Gladly. And this is fun.” She smiles when Dolly shakes her feathers. “I took Abby home about an hour ago to help Sofie with the horses. I grew up here, but Abby didn’t. We just moved here recently to be close to Sof, and it’s been great. I wasn’t sure Abby would take to small-town living, but she’s loving every second.” Hilary grins.
“Well, I can’t wait to meet her,” I tell her.
“You can meet her at Grinny’s on Thursday,” Callum says.
“Oh, you’ll be with us on Thanksgiving?” Hilary does a little dance. “That’s great. Hey, Grinny won’t tell me what I can bring. Do I just wing it?”
Callum chuckles. “She struggles to delegate. There will be way too much food there, so only bring something if you want to.” He glances over at me and goose bumps skitter over my skin.
“Why don’t you guys go do something fun?” Hilary says. “I can stay. I can even do the nighttime routine if you want. I took notes on everything you told me. If I forget something, I can always ask.”
“Really? Going out for breakfast was a treat. I’d rather take you up on the nighttime routine when I’m out of town,” Callum says.
She waves her hand. “I’ve already said it at least ten times. I’m happy to do this. I’ve got you covered when you travel and I’ll feel more confident if I’ve tried it out while you’re close by.”
He nods. “I get that. Thanks, Hilary.” He reaches out and squeezes her shoulder and she beams up at him. “You’ll call the second you need anything?” he asks.
“Promise,” she says. “But I don’t think I’ll need anything.” She grins and turns around to walk back toward the barn. “Have fun, you two.”
Callum looks at me and holds out his hand, weaving his fingers through mine.
“Still want your hands on me?” he asks under his breath.
“Desperately.”
“Cannot happen soon enough for me,” he says.
When he shuts the kitchen door behind us, he tosses the pastry box on the island and starts removing his coat and boots. I do the same and then he moves toward me and pulls my sweater over my head. My button-down shirt is next. He laughs when there’s a thermal under that.
He pulls my hand and leads me to the stairs, up to his bedroom, and takes his phone out of his pocket, placing it next to the bed. His expression is shy when he looks at me again.
“I really like having you in my space,” he says. “Didn’t think that was something I’d ever say.”
I walk toward him and put my hands on his chest, leaning up to brush my lips against his. When my hand touches his face, he covers it with his.
“Your hands are freezing. Want me to warm you up in the shower?” he asks.
“That sounds perfect. I’m just trying to not get all of this too wet.” I point to my chest. “Which will be easier topull off in your swanky shower made for like a dozen people.”
He winces. “I hate that you’re still hurting. I’ll make sure we’re careful.”
“I swear it’s feeling so much better.” My head falls back and I groan. “So much for my intention to seduce you into bed. We get home and are sidetracked by smelly animals and the unsexiest talk ever.”
He stills, his eyes boring into mine. “Does it scare you when I say hearing you call this home might be the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard?”
My heart thunders against my rib cage, and I shake my head. “Not even a little.”
