Page 96 of Thaw My Heart

We walk to the Mess Hall, side by side, but Kit’s hands stay tucked into his Carhartt. Perhaps he doesn’t want people to know we’re together, and maybe that’s smart, but I can’t help but feel like he’s ashamed of being seen with me.

Did I miss something?

Out a good distance from the main barn is a massive fire pit. Filling the air with the warm scent of burning wood. Ranchers are gathered around with beers in their hands, and Hudson is currently playing guitar, filling the ambience with soulful music. I had no idea that he could play, but he’s quite gifted. I’ve barely heard him speak, but his singing voice is truly something else.

Blake warmly smiles at me, gesturing for us to come over to the fire.

Kit brushes my arm. “I’ll umm… I’ll go get drinks. Go enjoy yourself,” he half-smiles.

How have we taken ten steps back so quickly? Just this morning, he was smiling between my thighs, refusing to let me out of his arms. My eyes search his, hoping to find something reminiscent of the man I woke up with, but his expression is cold. Distant.

“You don’t want to join me?” I ask, hoping he’ll change his mind.

“I’ll find you,” he murmurs before striding away. But I’m pretty sure I’m not going to receive that drink.

Well, fine then.

I take off towards Blake. “Happy Birthday, B,” I say as I approach him, pulling him in for a hug. He smells like smoke from the fire pit and something warm. “This is for you,” I hand him a gift bag.

“Aw, Sadie, you didn’t have to do that—” he pulls out a fancy pocketknife with his name engraved on the handle. “This is too much.”

“And not nearly enough for having to deal with my stubborn ass every day.”

“Well, that’s true,” he chuckles. “So, how’s things?”

“Fine,” I rock on my heels.

“And how’s Kit?” he arches a playful brow.

“A pain in the ass, per usual.” I don’t even have the energy to lie to Blake. Out of everyone here, he’s the person I feel like I can be the most honest with.

Blake laughs, deep laughter. “What’s he done this time?”

My gaze finds him standing next to an old metal water trough full of ice and beer, with Ryker and a few others I don’t recognize. “He’s acting strange.”

Even watching him talking to Ryker, he seems… angry. His body language is rigid, and his jaw is clenched tight. Locked so tightly I’d be surprised if he didn’t have a headache. But why the hell would he be angry?

“I think you’re being summoned,” Blake points to the group of cowgirls, gesturing for me to join them.

I’d rather hang out with Blake, but he pushes me towards them, telling me to have a good time.

Candace, Kinley, and Sierra are sitting on logs near the fire pit. And unfortunately, Leah is there too. I’m well aware I shouldn’t hate her for finding Kit attractive… I mean, who could blame her? But with how insecure I’m feeling about things between us right now, she’s the last person I want to talk to.

“Hey girl,” Candace greets me with a cheery smile. Her copper hair is braided in two, and she’s wearing a bright red sweater that’s just as vibrant.

The rest of them greet me with pleasant smiles and waves. Once I settle in, we talk about each other's roles on the ranch. How Candace and Leah are cowgirls, and Kinley and Sierra work in the kitchens. Sierra is the oldest out of them all, with warm brown skin and a massive rock on her ring finger. She’s been happily married to Wes for years and has two young boys who help out on the ranch. Kinley is around my age, with short black hair, multiple ear piercings, and a rose tattoo on her hand, covered in silver rings.

They all start talking like old friends, having conversations I don’t understand when they stop mid-sentence.

I don’t even notice his presence until Kit brushes my arm, handing me a can of Whiskey Cola. “Here,” he fakes a smile, but he looks uneasy. “Closest thing I could find.”

“Oh, thanks,” I take it, brushing his rough fingers in the process.

“Hi, Kit,” Leah brightly smiles with blush in her cheeks.

“Hey,” he murmurs, barely sparing her a glance before turning back to me, like he wants to say something else, but nothing comes out. With a tip of his ballcap, he walks away.

Figures.