He glances up, brow furrowing. “What’s what like?”
“Your life. Ranching. Living up on the mountain.”
“It’s quiet,” he says after a moment.
“That’s not an answer.”
He sets his fork down, his gaze locking with mine. “It’s work. Sunrise to sunset, sometimes longer. It’s animals depending on you to keep them alive. It’s fences that always need fixing, hay that never seems to be enough, and snow that makes every task twice as hard. But it’s mine. And I don’t have to answer to anyone.”
The weight of his words settles between us, and I nod slowly. “I get that.”
“You?”
“Midwifery’s a little different,” I admit, “but it’s the same in some ways. It’s unpredictable. Exhausting. But when it goes right... it’s worth every second.”
“What made you want to become a midwife?” he asks.
“Oh, well, I was told I could never have kids of my own, and having a family…well, it was always important to me. I love kids so much, so I thought being a midwife and helping bring babies into the world would give me the kind of fulfillment that I’ll never have in my own life.”
He leans back, studying me like he’s trying to figure out what makes me tick.
“You’re different,” he says finally.
“You have no idea,” I reply softly.
The moment stretches, the hum of the café fading into the background. His eyes flicker to my lips, and I feel the tension spike, sharp and electric.
Before either of us can say something we can’t take back, Aunt Betty swoops in, refilling our coffee with a grin that says she knows exactly what she’s doing.
“You kids getting along?”
“Like a house on fire,” I deadpan, breaking the spell.
King snorts, shaking his head. “Something like that.”
Aunt Betty chuckles, patting my shoulder. “You’re good for him, Indie. Keep him on his toes.”
I don’t miss the way King’s jaw tightens at her words, but he doesn’t argue.
As the café fills with new customers, King pushes his plate away and stands, his height making me feel small despite my best efforts to match his energy.
“See you around, city girl,” he says, his voice low enough that I feel it more than hear it.
“It’s Indie,” I reply, arching a brow.
“Sure it is,” he says, tipping his hat before walking out the door.
I watch him go, my heart racing and my mind spinning.
“Just the woman to melt his icy heart,” Aunt Betty says from behind me, her tone smug.
I don’t bother correcting her. Something tells me it would be a waste of breath.
Chapter Four
King
I don’t invite people over. Hell, I don’t even entertain the thought. My cabin is my space, a sanctuary where the world doesn’t reach me unless I let it. But tonight, she’s here, sitting at my kitchen table with that damn soft smile that’s been haunting me for three days.
