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“Yes, ma’am. And I’ve memorized the checklist,” he explains. “But I’ll mark off each box once I’m done.”
I wrote out how much food each horse gets so he could keep track on his own. It’s been a good way to teach him about responsibility and proper horse care.
Even though he’s only eleven, the kid pays attention to detail better than my dumb-ass brothers. He’s my buddy, and one of the reasons I can’t wait to have my own little ones running around. Showing them all about ranch life and caring for horses is something I hope we can bond over once they’re older.
As I leave Zach to his tasks, I grab my keys from my office and tell my parents I’m heading out.
“Dinner tonight at seven,” Mom says. She’s been reminding me for over a week that she’s cooking for the family tonight.
“Ya know I never pass up free food. I’ll be there!”
“And what about Payton?” she inquires, but I see something more behind her eyes. Maybe it’s an insinuation, but I can’t pinpoint it.
I sigh. “He’ll be there, too.”
Once I’m in my truck, I drive to the B&B real quick, then I go home and shower.
When I’m ready, I message Payton in case he needs a reminder about tonight.
Payton: I didn’t forget.
Kaitlyn: Good, cause I think my mom would’ve been sad if you weren’t.
Payton: What can I say? Your parents love me.
I smile because he’s right. They’ve always adored him and have treated him like he’s one of their own.
After I’m dressed, I’m tempted to pour myself a glass of wine, but instead, I opt for a large glass of orange juice. I randomly read that vitamin C can help a person conceive. I’d drink a truckload if it’d guarantee a positive pregnancy test.
As soon as Payton walks in, his warm smile fills the room.
“Hey,” he greets as his gaze wanders over me. “You look nice.”
“Thanks.”
“Smell nice too.” He grins. “I’m gonna quickly shower.”
“I’ll be waitin’,” I tell him, tempted to join him to get my mind off things. But I know it wouldn’t be a good idea after the way things got heated between us the last time. Though I’d never admit it aloud, I wanted Payton to kiss me and let me taste myself on him. The lines were nearly crossed, and I selfishly wanted him to be the one to cross them first.
I wish I could read Payton’s mind, but at the same time, I’m too scared to know what he’s thinking.
Payton enters the room in clean clothes and smelling like body wash. “Ready?”
“Yep.” I stand, grabbing the dessert dish covered in foil.
“What’s that?” he asks.
“I asked Maize for a favor.”
He lifts the top. “Mm. Apple pie.”
“Dad’s favorite.” I grin. “Kinda owe him after Mom and I ate half of his slice today.”
“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.”
Payton puts on his baseball cap, then leads me to his truck. When he opens the passenger door for me, he lightly places his hand on the small of my back. It’s a gesture he’s done a million times before, but now, it feels different. Intimate. Something a boyfriend would do.
When we pull up to my parents' house, I grow nervous, and Payton notices.
