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He stilled.
“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” she threw the words back into his face. “We’re not animals, but we have been gifted with an instinct about certain things. If you’re drawn to me and I’m drawn to you, there’s a reason for that. For all we know, God is telling us we should at least test the waters.”
He snorted. “God couldn’t care less about who you, or I, or anyone dates. There are bigger issues that are going on in the world.”
Constance’s eyes widened. “Pleasetell me you don’t really believe that.”
Her question gave him pause. He was a good Christian man. He believed that there was a higher power. But being a man of science had a tendency to cloud his judgment when it came to the little things.
“God cares about his children, James. Even the little things. I don’t have any clue why it’s been so hard to get over my crush on you. But I can’t believe that there isn’t a reason for it.” Her eyes shone bright with a conviction that once again put him in his place.
Goosebumps erupted on his skin and as if against his will, he was forced to acknowledge that she had a point. He ran a hand through his hair and his shoulders relaxed. “I’ve been in a relationship before that didn’t end well because there were too many secrets.”
Her brows creased, but she didn’t ask him to elaborate.
“I don’t want to fall into bad habits. It puts me on edge just thinking about keeping this a secret from your father.”
“I can’t tell him, James. Not yet.”
“Okay. Then how about this. If our relationship progresses, would you consider telling him? Even if Brielle isn’t getting married yet?”
She chewed on the inside of her cheek and stared at her hands. Before she met his gaze, she nodded. “Yes. I will consider it.”
He closed the distance between them and hooked his finger under her chin. She peered at him with so much innocence that the small tendril of hope that had been brought to life was smothered. How could he stand in front of her demanding candidness when he was holding back?
Because they were holding back for two different reasons.
He needed to protect her from finding out about Brielle even though his past with her didn’t matter anymore. Not to mention, his not being up front had a lot to do with Brielle’s insistence on Constance not knowing. Constance on the other hand, was hiding something because she loved her father.
James quickly shoved those thoughts as far into the recesses of his mind as he could. He didn’t want them to get in the way of possibly having something good with her.
The light that shone from her eyes and her face was enough to ease the ache that lingered. His gaze dropped to her mouth, noticing the way her soft, full lips parted as if she were surprised at how close they’d become. It wouldn’t take much at all to taste her lips right here and now.
If he could show her that they could make this work, perhaps she’d be more willing to start a much-needed conversation with her father about her own freedom.
But he wouldn’t do that—he couldn’t promise something only to have it not work out in the long run. Constance deserved better. She deserved to be treated with respect. Brielle hadn’t cared—not about their relationship, nor about her father’s feelings. She’d been interested in her own desires, which was clear by how many guys she’d taken through the wringer. Maybe James was being too judgmental of Constance’s older sister. Constance was better, more loving in this respect. And that was why he couldn’t say a word about his experience with Brielle. He couldn’t have a frank conversation about why lying to her father was a bad idea.
He dropped his hand and stepped back, forcing a smile he had to dig out of the pit of darkness that threatened to swallow him. “I guess we’re still on for Friday, huh?”
“I guess so.”
14
Constance
Constance had nearly lost her chance with James. It had been a close call and something she was quickly losing control over. It was clear James didn’t want to hide anything. Buthedidn’t have to live under the same roof with her father like she did.
One day, she might be able to get the courage to tell her father about him, but not anytime soon. The risk wasn’t worth it. And the relationship was too new.
All week long, she’d kept her weekend plans close to her heart like a hand of cards. No one was to know about her date nor who she was going to go out with. As far as her sisters were concerned, she was still “little miss perfect” Constance who couldn’t do any wrong.
She’d done a pretty good job at keeping things under wraps. But one thing bothered her from the moment she’d had that conversation with James in the barn.
Who had told him to stay away? She couldn’t imagine her father saying something like that. He’d been far more supportive of her learning the vet trade than she’d expected, and that required daily interaction with James. It appeared they had a good rapport going.
So that meant one of her sisters had said something.
Constance could rule out Adeline. Ever since she’d gotten married, she’d been more vocal about her sisters getting more freedom. The problem was she’d been shot down time and time again. Their father was having none of it.
