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“Hello?”

The door swings open and my breath catches.

“About time you showed up. We should’ve been on the road thirty minutes ago.” Chance’s rich, throaty timbre peppers my skin with goosebumps.

Whatever concern was churning in my stomach fades instantly. My traitorous heart leaps into a fast gallop. Each giddy beat demands that I rush closer to him. No, dammit!

I grind my teeth, not sure if I’m madder at myself or him. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”

He sweeps a thick lock of dark hair off his forehead. “Well, my original plan was to get everything packed quickly. But I had to get the place cleaned up first. You’re still messy, Wildflower.”

There goes that teasing tone again. The light tune threatens to fill my belly with flutters. My flabbers have officially been gasted.

“I don’t even know what to say,” is what I manage to mutter.

“Another thank you would suffice.”

“Are you kidding?”

His green eyes narrow, taking stock of my flexed stance. “Based on the tone of your voice, I probably should be.”

“You need to quit following me around. This recent breaking and entering habit is taking things too far. As if my apartment wasn’t enough, you’re trespassing on my parents’ property.”

Chance shrugs his broad shoulders. “They gave me permission.”

“How? They’re not even home.”

“I called them. Neil and Mama June love me. Your parents were very impressed with my thoughtful gesture, especially since you recently hurt your foot. How’s that healing up?”

“Ohhhh. My gosh. I can’t even…” Think of how to finish that sentence, apparently. I stomp my boot into the grass, internally fuming about the slew of meddling happening. “Just stay put. I’m going to get my horses.”

“They’re already loaded and fed.”

My brows reach for the stars. “You got them out of the pasture without me?”

Another casual shrug. “Used to do it all the time. Saved you the trouble of walking all that way.”

A random thought occurs to me as I cross my arms over my chest. “Is Bianca behind this ingenious act?”

He scoffs. “No. Why?”

“You went to her for groveling advice. As I recall, Colton did something very similar and then whisked her away to some unknown location.”

Chance’s nostrils flare. “That dude is stealing my thunder.”

The corner of my mouth twitches, relishing the sight of his pouting. “Or you need to be more creative.”

“It was supposed to be sentimental. I always used to load the trailer for you. This was meant to bring back good memories.”

I drop my gaze to avoid revealing how deep his words strike. “Well, when you put it that way…”

“It’s impossible to resist me, right?”

It’s getting harder to fight a smile. “I wouldn’t go that far.”

“We’ll discuss it on the way. Hop in and let’s go.” Chance locks the door to the living quarters while jutting his chin at my truck.

But my boots remain rooted to the lawn. “You’re not going with me.”