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Dax patted the yearling’s rump, releasing her from their exercise. He strode toward her, wrapping a rope around his arm. His languid movements had to be in her imagination. She most definitely wasn’t developing a crush on this guy.
No, definitely not.
He flashed her a smile, and her stomach twisted. Okay, maybe she had alittlecrush. But that was normal according to all her psychology classes. When a guy did something nice for a girl, she couldn’t help but find him more attractive.
“You okay?” Dax came to a stop and tilted his head as he peered up at her. He took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair, drawing her focus. He was only a few feet away and it wouldn’t have taken much for her to reach out and brush a few of the longer strands from his forehead.
Wait a minute. Where had that thought come from? This was Dax she was speaking to. He was essentially her boss. He was the guy who had made fun of the way those blasted chickens continued to mess with her.
So why had her heart started to beat a little faster all of a sudden?
“Sarah?”
She jumped. “What?”
“You okay? You seem a little off today.” His brows creased. “Do you need take off work early?”
Sarah shook her head vehemently. “I’m good. What else do you need me to do?”
Dax didn’t look convinced. He took another step toward her as if he was going to reach out and touch her. She held her breath, but then he stepped back and she released the air in her lungs. Her body had gone rogue, and she wasn’t about to let it take control.
Sarah jumped off the corral and held out her hands. “See? I’m fine. Didn’t Sean say something to Adeline and Zeke this morning about needing to check on a few fields to make sure the fences are stable?”
“Yes, but I don’t think you’re—”
“I’mfine.” She moved past him, her arm brushing against his. Her breath hitched as the hairs on her arms lifted like some kind of electrical current had just jolted through her. She didn’t turn around to see if he followed her. She knew he would as soon as he got ahold of the yearling’s reins.
These reactions she felt were ridiculous.
More than ridiculous, she could blame it all on that one moment in her bedroom when he’d sat on the edge of her bed. Something about the words he’d said had gotten to her. And day by day, little by little, she was finding that he wasn’t as bad as she thought he was.
Did that mean she wanted something stronger to develop between them?
Of course not. She was smarter than that.
Sarah glanced over her shoulder toward Dax, finding that her assumptions were correct. He followed the path she had taken toward the barn. They’d saddle their horses, and she’d get a chance to prove she wasn’t as incompetent as he thought she was.
* * *
Sarah’s gazedrilled into the saddle in front of her. Boy, was shewrong. She hadn’t ridden since her fall, and now that she stood in front of the horse, preparing to mount, she wasn’t so sure she was ready.
Her hands were slick and clammy. Her heart pounded fast, just not as fast as when she’d had a panic attack. She should be able to do this. She was an adult, for heaven’s sake.Stop being ridiculous and put your foot in the stirrup.
“You don’t have to go if you’re not ready.” Dax’s soft voice sounded like it was mere inches from her ear.
Sara stilled, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to turn around. “I’m—”
Dax chuckled. “You’re fine.” His voice was still close—too close. “I get it. Getting back on the horse after an ordeal like yours isn’t going to be easy, no matter how long you wait. Sometimes it’s harder.”
She spun around and immediately regretted it. Dax had been directly behind her and now he felt too close. Sarah took a step back, bumping into the horse behind her. She blinked a few times, trying to remember what she had intended to say. “You think I should go riding sooner than later.”
He lifted a shoulder. “It doesn’t matter what I think.”
A lump formed in her throat and she swallowed hard. “It does, actually.” At his amused expression, she elaborated. “You’ve been at this longer than me. I’d trust your judgment more than my own.”
His smile warmed her, and she had to force herself to look away before her heart overreacted again.
“Glad we finally see eye-to-eye for once.” He held out his hand, moving even closer to her.
