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If that was possible.
She turned away from his kiss, holding on to him until the world righted itself. Even then, she didn’t let go. He pressed his forehead to hers, his unsteady breathing fanning across her temple. This was dangerous. Being held this way, savoring his smell and touch. She craved intimacy far more than sex. Not that she’d mind that either.
“Breakfast,” she repeated. “Don’t want you to be late for work.”
He kissed her forehead, breathing deep. “Thank you.” His hands and arms released her. “I’ll be right there.”
She lingered in the doorway, her loneliness renewed with a fierce intensity. Something about watching him dress, catching sight of his wink and crooked grin in the mirror, was oddly comforting.
“Or you can wait,” he added, his smile growing.
Her cheeks were burning hot as she headed back to the kitchen.
He joined her minutes later, tucking in his long-sleeved button-down into his work jeans. ?
??Smells good.”
She poured him a cup of coffee and put a stack of pancakes, bacon and two fried eggs on his plate.
“A man could get used to this,” he said, leveling her with another crooked grin.
She shook her head, standing awkwardly at the counter.
“Not gonna eat with me?” he asked, taking a large bite of his breakfast.
She fidgeted.
“Sit down, Poppy, please. Have coffee with me.” He sat back in his chair, waiting.
She sighed, sitting with her cup clutched between both hands. “You work on the family ranch?” Filling the silence was a necessity. Might as well learn some of what he’d been doing with himself for the last few years.
He nodded. “My uncle’s turned most of the operations over to his kids—my cousins. Each of them has some stake. Hunter operates the working ranch, for the most part. They have cattle and partner with the State Agriculture Department to track and monitor whitetail populations, too.”
Poppy was impressed.
“Archer runs an animal refuge on his acreage. He’s a horse fanatic, talks to them like people. His wife has the gift, as well. It’s an amazing thing to see—bet Rowdy’d get a kick out of visiting them.”
“He would,” she agreed. “So what do you do?”
“Whatever they need.” He swallowed down his coffee. “Some days I’m driving to pick up horses for Archer, others I’m fixing windmills. This weekend we’ll be vaccinating cattle.”
“There’s a lot of work involved in running a ranch.” She had no experience with that. “Grandpa’s farm wasn’t much of a farm. A couple of cows and pigs, some chickens and a donkey so mean the mailman wouldn’t deliver to our place for fear of getting kicked into the next county.”
Toben laughed.
“What about your family?” she asked, nervous.
He swallowed and sat back. “If you’re asking about me, I’m not married. Never have been. No one waiting for me to call. And Rowdy’s my only kid.” He smiled. “If you’re asking about the Boones, well, that would make me late for work.” He stood. “Thank you for the breakfast, Poppy. I don’t think I’ve ever had such an agreeable morning.”
She rolled her eyes.
“I mean it.” His gaze wandered over her face, lingering on her mouth just long enough to make her a little light-headed. “Damn but you make it hard for a man to leave.”
She blinked, processing his words long after his truck had disappeared through her gate.
“Morning, Ma.” Rowdy stumbled into the kitchen, his little eyes puffy and his curls sticking out every which way. “Smells good.”
She pulled him into her lap, knowing he was too sleepy to argue much. “I made you pancakes.”
