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“Good, good.”
Doyle opened the door, and Kendall lost her breath. More of the white pine flowed out into a huge staging area for the on-site vet they were expecting to come in from Salt Lake. Stainless steel counters and glass cabinets could have felt sterile, but with the warm wood to frame them out, everything looked high-end and professional.
She followed them in as they discussed the equipment and specs of the building that must have been important. She let them talk as she smoothed her hand over the velvety wood. It had a chiseled log cabin vibe than wasn’t her particular taste, but she couldn’t deny the excellent craftsmanship.
Pieces of Shane were sprinkled all over the stable. As they moved down the wide walkway between stalls, they came across huge tack bins in rough-cut wood. She’d seen Shane work on those late into last night.
She and Shane had been so restless the last few days. As if they were bouncing around each other but not quite sure what to do or how to act.
The two men paused to talk as they ran out of real estate. The back door was open, and Evelyn and her crew had returned from the horse show and were unloading equipment for the horses that would be coming in a few days. She waved to Evelyn and left the men to their own devices.
“Hey.”
“Hey there.” Evelyn’s bright, warm smile eased the rest of the tension that had been following her around all day. “I couldn’t believe that they really finished it up. I had to come up and see for myself. Your Shane is a miracle worker.”
Kendall laughed. “More like a taskmaster. But he got it done. I’m glad to see you. We’re actually heading out tonight.”
“Oh, no. Really?”
“Yeah, I got an SOS call from my mother. No rest for the wicked when you own your own business.”
“Nothing terrible, I hope?”
“Nah, just an inconvenience that cost us two bookings. That part wasn’t good, but the fix is relatively simple.” Kendall shrugged. “Hot water tank.”
“Yuck.”
“Exactly.”
“Good thing Shane’s so handy.”
Kendall glanced at Shane. His arms were crossed, his hip cocked as Doyle spoke to him. In her head, she could see just how perfect he’d look in her home, in her bed, in her life. And that scared the shit out of her. Even worse, she was terrified she was going to find out just how life would feel without him.
Evelyn snapped her fingers in front of Kendall. “Earth to Kendall.”
“Sorry.”
Shoulder to shoulder, the women stood together. Evelyn hooked an arm around Kendall. “I can’t blame you on the distraction.”
If only it was just drooling. “I haven’t had much time with him lately.”
Evelyn frowned and moved to stand in front of her. She took both her hands. “I’m sensing abut.”
Kendall shrugged. “No buts. Just part of me is looking forward to going home, and part of me is dreading it.”
“Have you talked to him?”
“I will.”
“You know if you talk to him, you’ll probably find out that it’s not nearly as bad as you think.”
No, it was so much worse. Worries were multiplying like mosquitoes by the lake on a hot night. He pulled at her like no other man ever had, and yet he held so much of her life in his hands. Their balance was off. Maybe that was why she felt so out of sorts.
She just needed to assert some of her independence again, that was all. Get home to her routines and back on solid, familiar ground. Maybe then the ache in her gut would fade, and she could get back to normal.
Evelyn rubbed her arm. “I’m going to miss you, kiddo.”
Kendall shook off the crazy reel of what-ifs and focused on her friend. “I’m going to miss you too.”
