Page 60 of Thaw My Heart

Cole says a prayer, and it’s this quiet moment that steadies me. Prayer. Soft voices. Warm hands in mine. He holds my hand with such tenderness that it feels strangely sexual. My pulse begins to burn beneath my skin.

I’d like to say I kept my eyes closed, like a good girl. But I peek about ten seconds in, glancing at my hand in Kit’s before daring a look at him. Strong jaw with the perfect amount of clean stubble. Well-defined soft lips and a straight nose. I’ve almost forgotten how handsome he is, like he was sculpted in heaven.

He opens his eyes and turns to me, and my heart skips a beat. I expect him to push my hand away, but he holds it firm, never leaving my eyes. Even well after Cole has finished the prayer, he’s still holding my hand, staring at me like nothing else matters.

I’m not sure I’m breathing.

“Shall we?” Cole gestures to the food.

Kit drops my hand before his next breath, filling up his plate to the brim. Back to ignoring me and pretending like the last two minutes didn’t happen. I pile up way more mashed potatoes than I need, but I’m far from shy about eating. And I need all the comfort carbs I can get to endure this dinner.

“So, is the job everything you hoped for?” Cole asks.

“Very much so. I love it here,” I respond.

Cole smiles at that. “Blake has many nice things to say about you,” he adds.

Kit’s fork scrapes loudly on the plate, making my teeth ache. Annie gives him a terse look, glancing at the plate with concern.

“I enjoy working with him,” I blush, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “We have so much fun in the fields that it never feels like work.” Long days were short with Blake.

Kit rips into his steak with more force than I feel he needs, shoving it into his mouth like a caveman. Chewing with intent.

“And where did you learn how to ride?” Cole asks. “Kit here says you’re quite gifted.”

Kit sets his eyes on Cole with red in his cheeks.

“Did you, really?” I ask him, bumping his arm.

He swallows the steak in his mouth, frowning at Cole. “I believe my exact words were, it’s a miracle she stays in the saddle.”

Cole smiles in his direction, twinkling his eyes.

“It’s okay to admit you like watching me ride, Cowboy,” I wink at him, and he glares, a glare so sharp I feel it in my spine. “Anyway,” I sit up straighter. “I grew up with horses. I’m self-taught.”

“How does Aspen Hollow compare to Valentine?” Annie asks with a warm smile, trying to make casual conversation, like a normal person, but I flinch, sucking in a sharp breath.

“It doesn’t.” Valentine was a nightmare. “There’s nothing quite like this place,” I try to deflect, hoping she’ll leave it alone.

“And what about your family? They must miss you terribly,” she adds.

“They don’t,” I snap with more venom than I mean to.

Kit turns towards me, scrunching his dark brows.

Besides my brother, no one cared about me in the way I deserved. And it’s something I don’t want to talk about. “I’m happy here. I have no plans to go back,” I push mashed potatoes around my plate.

Annie nods, ready to leave that conversation alone.

“Why?” Kit asks.

“Why, what?”

“Why don’t you want to go home?” he repeats.

“It’s not my home anymore.” And it never will be, nor do I have a reason to go back. “Besides, why would you care?”

He looks at me incredulously, looking pained for a moment, as if my words got under his skin. His face settles into a deep frown. “Just making sure you don’t have wanted posters up in another town.”