Page 76 of Thaw My Heart

I nod, following him as I pull out my braid, letting my waves fall over my shoulders.

The sun is warm today, melting the snow on the ground, but the chill in the air is still cold. As if Fall and Winter are struggling to let go of one another. All the workers are gathered in front of the main barn, forming a large circle. Dirty and exhausted cowboys stand around, leaning on whatever they can find. Cole’s voice echoes in the breeze, thanking everyone for their hard work. Ryker greets me as I stand between him and Blake, giving me a cheeky smile.

Does he know about my date with Kit?

“There’s a glow about you today, Sadie,” he grins.

Yes, I think he knows. Heat rushes to my cheeks. “Must be the decent weather,” I say, not quite ready to acknowledge my date. We kissed… but what were we? What did I want to be?

All I know is that I want to kiss him again. To straddle my legs around him and strip him down. I’m hot and heavy just thinking about it.

Ryker hums and smiles with something glinting in his eyes, turning back to the front.

“Kit would now like to say a few words,” Cole says.

His voice, deep and warm, moves my legs to the front. Kit’s blue eyes catch mine when I find a clear view of him. He’s wearing a tight-fitted grey Henley paired with jeans and his usual navy Lone Pine ballcap, standing tall and sure of himself. My cheeks burn at the faint smile he gives me, as his eyes flick up and down my frame.

I’m surrounded by cowboys, and yet he’s the only one who sets my body on fire with a single glance.

He clears his throat. “Just a reminder, as winter sets in, we need to prioritize safety and the well-being of the herd.”

A safety meeting, of course.

I smirk at him.

He continues, talking about keeping an eye on the water tanks, tracking the health of the herds, adding extra supplements when needed, checking for maintenance, and lastly reminding us to look out for dangerous patches of ice. “It’s going to be a long and bitter Montana winter. Look out for one another out there. Also, just a reminder that it’s Blake’s birthday on Monday, two days from now.” My eyes shift to Blake. I had no idea. “There’ll be a celebratory bonfire around five.”

A cowboy bonfire in winter? Sounds like a fun time.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I bump Blake’s arm.

“A man doesn’t like to announce when he’s turning thirty-seven. But that’s already been done for me,” he replies dryly.

Damn, he doesn’t look it. “Well, you don’t look a day over thirty,” I wink.

He gives me the side eye. “You’re a shit liar, Sadie.”

“Take the compliment, old man.”

Blake smiles, chuckling under his breath. “You’re mean after a good canoodling,” he teases.

Last night, Blake texted me to ask how my date went with Kit, and it wasn’t even weird to admit the truth. To be honest about my feelings. Things have always been easy between us. But canoodling? What era is he from?

“You’re making it worse for yourself, B.”

After Kit dismisses everyone, his eyes find mine, and I’m entranced, walking towards him through the crowd. He does the same, pulling his ballcap backward. His long legs stride towards me. Like magnets that can’t help but move towards the pull, we follow the current. A current so strong my lungs struggle to find oxygen, and I forget how to breathe.

“Hey.” He stands a few feet in front of me. Too many feet to be honest, considering I haven’t seen him all day.

“Hey,” I reply. My pulse races so fast I can feel it in my ears, pounding in my chest.

“Can we talk?” he gestures to the barn.

Well, that sounds ominous. Is he already regretting kissing me? Taking me somewhere private to end things?

“Why?” I ask, defensively.

“What happened to trusting me on the ranch?”