Page 16 of The One Who Never Left: Colter

“Wow,” she breathed. “It’s gorgeous. Now I get why you stayed. Looks like you found that happiness you were chasing.”

Vivi smiled, and it was as bright as her diamond. “You know, you’ll have to bring Lynlee over sometime. We can do barbecue.”

Sutton felt her chest tighten. She didn’t mind lying to a man she didn’t know. But Vivi? The woman’s openness made her feel guilty. Especially with Colter now in the picture. She wanted to be honest, wanted to tell Vivi the truth, but for now, she nodded. “You don’t have to do that.”

“Us city girls have to stick together.”

“Do yous have a pool?” Lynlee asked.

“We sure do,” Vivi said. “And it’s heated.”

Lynlee rubbed her hands together. “I love pools almost as much as I like horses.”

“Well, we have some of those too.”

Lynlee’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Real ones or stuffed ones?”

“Real ones.”

“Did you hears that Mommy? She’s got real ones! And a pool! Can I ride your horsey and swim?”

“Anytime. That is if your mom says it’s okay.”

Sutton was about to say Vivi didn’t have to do that when the café door swung open.

She froze for a second, trying not to breathe too loud or look too obvious. Her hands gripped the arms on her chair like it was a lifeline. She prayed that the corner booth was enough camouflage so as not to be seen.

Camouflage. In a coffee shop with three customers and a wall of construction-paper horses. She turned her chair slightly so her back was to the café. She was really committing to this.

“Mister Colter!” Lynlee called, waving him over and Sutton sank lower in her chair.

In the reflection of the window, she could see Colter’s mossy-green eyes sweep the room, landing on Lynlee with a small smile. Then they flicked toward Sutton. And Sutton felt it—like a spark had caught fire just from a single glance. Heat pooled in her chest and there was this unfamiliar pull that made her cheeks warm—not to mention other parts going damp.

Colter moseyed on over then crouched slightly to meet Lynlee’s eye level. “Hey there, Princess.”

“Colter.” Her daughter jumped up and threw herself into his arms. “I’m having a birfday party. A pony one. Want to come?”

Sutton glared at him, begging him to say no. She wanted to get to know him, but on her terms, her ground, her timing.

He tapped Lynlee on the head. “You bet I do.”

Sutton exhaled quietly, trying not to show the flutter of nerves—and regret—building inside her. This was going to get more complicated than she anticipated. She could feel it.

“You two know each other?” Vivi asked, eyes bouncing back and forth.

“She’s my new vet tech,” he said at the same time Sutton said, “I’m his intern.”

“Sutton helped me deliver a pony today,” he clarified.

Lynlee gave a chortle of a horse then neighed.

“Help is a strong word,” Sutton said.

“You got placenta on you, didn’t you?” he asked. “Take the win.”

To her utter annoyance, she smiled as if he’d just said she was the prettiest lady in the room.

“She was totally graceful about it. No screaming, no running for the hills.”