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Kaleb snatched his hand back, smacking his elbow on the arm of the chair. Pain traveled up and down his arm. Grady shot him a confused look as he bit into the vegetables. Kaleb gave a slight shake of his head. He shook his arm, lessening the uncomfortable ache.
"We're all set for the next group, right?" Kaleb glanced around the table.
Grady nodded. "I even set up horseback riding lessons."
"Good idea. I think they'll enjoy that when they're not hiking." Kaleb wiped the napkin over his lips. "Scarlet, the sheep still healthy for the Fourth of July?"
"Yep. Shane's been keeping a close eye on them. If there's any sign of illness, he'll isolate the sheep."
"What about the food situation?" Kaleb turned his attention to the blond-haired beauty sitting next to him. "Do I need to run to town for anything?"
"I don't think so. I believe we got it all when we went last week." Pink dotted Cinnamon's cheeks as if she was remembering their discussion that day.
"Perfect. I may head into town anyway." Kaleb shoved the fork into his mouth. If he spent less time with Cinnamon, it wouldn't be so hard to keep her out of his thoughts.
"Would you mind if I go to town with you?" Cinnamon lifted her light blue eyes to him. "I forgot my Bible. I was going to get it by myself, but if you're headed back, we can save gas."
Kaleb swallowed the food. Shoot. How was he supposed to get out of this one? "You could always borrow one of ours."
"Kaleb," Scarlet chastised. "Just take her with you. It's not the same using someone else's Bible when you want to spend time in the Word."
"That's true. Sorry, Cinnamon." Kaleb resigned himself to the fact he'd be alone with her for over thirty minutes. "Yes, you can ride with me. We'll leave clean up duty with these two and head to town right after dinner."
Cinnamon awarded him with a smile that lit up the room. "Perfect. Thanks." She squeezed his hand.
What was going on with her? Since she started working at the farm, Cinnamon kept her distance from him. Something he didn't mind in the least. Now, she gave him smiles that twisted his insides into balloon animals, and her touch sent his body temperature skyrocketing.
The whole thing was ridiculous. Did Cinnamon's new relationship make her more comfortable around him? That had to be the reason she suddenly became so friendly.
They headed out after dinner, and Kaleb opened the door for Cinnamon as she climbed into the truck. He waited until she snapped her seatbelt to close the door. He inhaled a deep breath, slowly releasing it through his nose before climbing in.
"I'm surprised you forgot your Bible," Kaleb commented as they pulled onto the highway.
"Me, too." Cinnamon folded her hands on her lap. "I must've been sidetracked or something."
"I get that. Seems to happen to me most days." Kaleb tossed her a tight grin. "Can't seem to focus on much these days."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"Don't know. Guess I have a lot on my mind." Kaleb stole a glance at Cinnamon from the corner of his eye just in time to see her lips form a straight line. "What's with the look?"
Cinnamon's jaw went slack. "Sorry. I didn't think you'd see that."
"It's okay. But what did I say to deserve it?"
Cinnamon exhaled, long and slow. "Doesn't it ever get tiresome holding in your thoughts?"
Kaleb winced as if someone threw cold water on him. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, when we were together, you seldom showed emotion. Isn't it exhausting keeping it together all the time?" Cinnamon's tone held accusation.
Kaleb snorted. "I don't hold it together all the time. Trust me."
"Could've fooled me," Cinnamon retorted.
"Have you seen the wood pile outside the house?" Kaleb tightened his grip on the wheel.
"Yeah," she drew out the word.
