Page 140 of Thaw My Heart

Averie:

Or maybe he’s ready to say, “I love you” for a third time. ;)

Sadie:

Yeah… he just did.

Averie:

Damn. Did you say it back?

Sadie:

I’ve decided I’m not worried about the surprise anymore.

She knows exactly why I struggle to say those three words. A conversation we had at Harlow Mansion in front of the roaring fireplace.

Averie:

I love you! I’m sure you’ll like the surprise.

Except patience isn’t one of my core traits. I sigh, letting out a deep breath of tension. Texting her isn’t quite enough to fill the void between us, but I’m thankful to have her in my life in any capacity. That she’s only a quick text away when I need someone to talk to.

As the rest of the day goes on, I’m reminded of just how many friends I have here at Lone Pine Ranch. Nearly everyone today has said hello, asking how I am, which brings me to assume that they all know about Markus. Or the fact that his marks are still on my skin.

I flick my grooming brush over Sugar’s thick golden fur, like the fur of a woolly mammoth, removing traces of dirt, when a cheerful voice calls out to me.

“Sadie!” Candace exclaims with glee. “How are you?” Her auburn eyebrows pinch with concern.

A question I’ve heard a thousand times today. “I’m—I’m good,” I settle on with a smile.

She nods, stepping closer with a look of mischief on her face. “So, are you coming to the party tonight?”

“Party?” Well, that’s the first I’ve heard of it.

“Oh!” Candace lights up, realizing I’m clueless. “We’re throwing a Christmas party.” Her long red hair flows in the harsh breeze, caressing her emerald green puffer vest that matches her eyes. “Sort of a Lone Pine tradition. And this year, Blake is dressing up as sexy Santa,” she winks at me, nudging my shoulder.

The image forming in my mind makes me chuckle. “Well, that does sound fun, but I have a date with Kit tonight.” A date where I’ll find out about the surprise he has for me.

Besides, surprise or not, there’s nothing else I’d rather do than go on a date with him. Especially when I already know it will end with his naked body writhing beneath mine. And how does a girl pass up an opportunity like that?

“Figures,” she rolls her eyes. “You two are inseparable.”

“One day, you’ll understand,” I chuckle.

She lets out a deep sigh. “Yeah, maybe…” Her gaze drifts towards the main barn.

I turn to her, dropping the brush in the grooming bucket beside me. “Is there a reason you’re single, Candace?” A question I didn’t get to ask the last time we had this conversation. “I can only imagine how many cowboys would be interested in you.”

She laughs. “Most everyone treats me like a kid.”

Button nose, full pink lips and freckled cheeks, wild and vibrant red hair. Candace could pass for an eighteen-year-old by looks alone. But with a little help, I see the woman beneath her just dying to break out.

Dying to break free.

Candace sucks in a sharp breath, eyes frozen on something near the main barn. When I follow her gaze to Blake and notice the way her breath hitches, the way she fiddles with the ends of her long hair, longingly staring at him, I’ve never felt more compelled to help her.

“Ah, I see,” I grin at her.