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Chapter Fourteen
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“Laken, wake up,” Ihear seconds before my shoulder begins to shake. “Laken,” I hear again, louder this time.
My eyes flutter open and instant confusion sets in. It’s dark but not pitch black. Yellow light illuminates the barn stall just enough that I’m able to place my location and the man who’s chest I’m currently nuzzled against.
“We have to get out of here. It’s nearly six,” Thad says, his words taking a second to register.
“Six?” I sit up, instantly looking for my clothes which I realize I already have on.
I’d gotten dressed after round two, but neither Thad nor I were ready to leave. I certainly never meant to fall asleep though. Knowing my father is likely already up and making rounds, I stand so quickly you would think something had bitten me.
“Shit. Shit. Shit,” I chant, trying to brush the hay off of me.
“Come here.” Thad chuckles, stepping up in front of me to pull a couple pieces of straw from my hair.
“How are you so calm?” I whisper yell, batting at his hand.
“Relax. I’m usually the one that tends to the horses and chickens first thing in the morning.”
“And?” I question like I can’t see how that would make any difference.
“If anyone sees you heading up to the house, say I asked you to check in on the horses for me.”
“And if they see you seconds later?” I counter. “I think that might be a little suspicious, don’t you think?”
“They won’t see me.” He winks, dropping a kiss to the tip of my nose in a surprisingly sweet act. “Now go. I’m gonna slip around to the camper, change, and be back here in ten minutes. No one will be the wiser.”
“I hope you’re right.” I let out a deep exhale, turning to unlatch the gate.
“Laken,” Thad calls after me just as I slip out of the stall.
I turn back, temporarily distracted by how delicious he looks with his disheveled hair and random pieces of hay stuck to his shirt.
“Meet me after lunch. Bring Cocoa out to the creek.”
“And what will your excuse be for skipping out on work in the middle of the afternoon?” I cock a brow, unable to hide the smile the tugs at my lips.
“You let me worry about that.” He grins and the action does something funny to my insides.
I nod once before turning and quickly walking away, trying to ignore the voice in the back of my head that tells me I’m already in too deep.
“What the hell are you doing up?” I hear moments after I enter the house.
“Hey.” I turn in the middle of the kitchen just in time to see Chris step through the backdoor. “Thad asked me if I would tend to the horses for him this morning,” I say a little too quickly.
“It’s not even six thirty in the morning.” He studies me curiously. “Since when do you get up that early?”
“I used to always get up this early,” I remind him. “Besides, I had trouble sleeping. Decided to just run out and check on the horses before seeing if Mom needs help making breakfast.” I dig myself further into the lie.
“Right.” He nods, crossing the kitchen. He sets his travel mug in front of the coffee pot, pops off the lid, and proceeds to fill his cup.
Turning, he leans his back against the counter and lifts the cup to his lips, taking a tentative sip–his gaze on me the whole time. Only then do I realize I’ve pretty much been frozen in the same spot since he busted me and decide I’m failing miserably at trying to play this off.
Crossing the kitchen toward him, I scoot him out of the way by bumping my hip to his as I reach for a coffee cup in the cabinet behind him.
Once I’m finished pouring my own cup, Chris asks, “So, you wanna tell me why you have the same clothes on that you wore yesterday?”
