Page 35 of Thaw My Heart

Well, not today she doesn’t. Today, she looks exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes. Her caramel hair is in a messy bun with bright highlights peeking through. Her outfit lacks its usual luster: a brown hoodie and jeans, but at least she showed up to work this morning.

Bonus points for her after having six shots of tequila and then trying to go to her knees for her neighbor.

“I’m gonna go check on her.” I pull my ballcap lower. “Make sure she’s alright.”

Hudson nods.

Her brown eyes drift to mine as I approach with Smoke’s leather reins in my hands. Sadie stays silent, to my surprise, blushing a shade of crimson. My pulse spikes, thinking about her words last night. I wonder if that’s what she’s thinking about, too, or the fact that she had her hands all over me as heat fills her cheeks.

“You don’t look so good,” I say, clearing my throat as Smoke quietly stands next to me.

“Neither do you, Cowboy,” she fires back.

The corners of my mouth turn upwards, though I try to fight it. “Good to see you’ve still got some fire in you, Tequila.” My eyes dart to the hoodie she’s wearing, which says Blame the Friggin’ Cows.

I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it was funny, considering her hangover. Though the cattle were not responsible for her choices.

“I’m never drinking tequila again,” she frowns.

“That’s probably for the best.” Sadie and tequila were a dangerous combination—one I didn’t want to have to deal with twice.

“Oh, is it?” A dark brow rises playfully. “Seems to me it almost worked out real good for you.” She glances down with a devilish grin on her face.

Blood rushes to my dick. My tongue feels too big for my mouth. She continues to grin wider, watching me squirm underneath her stare. All I can picture is that exact moment last night. A moment that kept me awake for most of the night. My dirty-ass mind was to blame.

“Hey, Kit,” my uncle’s voice sounds behind me.

Thank fuck.

Cole approaches us astride his dark bay gelding. I tip my ballcap to him in greeting, shifting my belt. Worried Cole will see the slight erection I’m trying to hide. “A few cows from D paddock have gone missing,” he says with urgency. Tired eyes full of worry. “I need you to track them down.”

“Yes, sir,” I place my foot in the stirrup, hopping on Smoke, not wasting a second.

“Take Sadie with you,” he adds, tipping his cowboy hat to her with a soft smile.

Take Sadie? She probably couldn’t stay on her horse if she tried. “What about Hudson?” I glance at him, hoping maybe he just forgot that he’s here.

“I need him to help with the fence line before any others get loose.” Cole nods to Hudson, who gives me an apologetic expression before he takes off in a gallop, follow­ing Cole’s orders.

“Cole, I don’t think—” I start to protest.

A deep wheezing cough breaks from Cole’s mouth, cutting me off. One that doesn’t sound normal.

Is he sick? “Are you⁠—”

“I’m fine,” he waves his hand. “It’s just allergies. It’ll be good for Sadie to see how this is done,” he continues with a scratch in his voice, but the tilted corner of his mouth tells me he asked her on purpose.

Damn him.

“They were last seen heading North towards the river,” he gestures in that direction.

My grip tightens on the reins, holding back my frustration. “I’ll find them,” I vow, clenching my teeth.

He nods to me and smiles at Sadie, taking off behind Hudson.

The wind picks up speed, whistling through the trees as they ride away, disappearing into the vast golden expanse. Dark clouds loom over the snowy mountains, lining the horizon. Thunder echoes around us, leaving just the two of us behind.

Well, fuck.