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She chuckled. "It's okay."
She laid her hand in his and his hand tingled. He steadied her as they entered the barn.
"So, my plan right now is to have this side of the barn be all horse stalls. Depending on what I'm able to find as far as horses, that side might also be horse stalls. Then, back there is where the tack room will be located. The feed will be stored back to the right of the tack room." He pointed to the far side of the barn.
"You've been thinking about this."
"I have, but only for the past few days. My mind won't settle, and it keeps coming to me when I'm trying to rest." He shook his head. "It sounds crazy, I suppose."
"No. It doesn't. Not at all." Her head swiveled as she looked around.
He grinned. She turned to him, a gorgeous smile on her face. His pulse quickened.
Everleigh turned to look at the area inside the barn before turning back to him. "This is a great place. Where will you keep the foals?"
He snapped to attention and jerked his head toward the open barn door. "Out back in the next barn. I can show you."
He took her hand as they neared the door once again, this time, he didn't let go. She didn't try to pull away either.
As they neared the second barn he felt the ground soften under his feet and stopped. "I don't think you'll want to go any further than this with those heels on."
Her head dropped to stare at her feet as if she'd forgotten she was wearing the uncomfortable looking things.
"Yeah. Maybe next time we come out here I'll have tennis shoes on, and you can show me more of this place."
"That's a deal." He knew in that moment that he actually did want to show her more of this place.
They kept their hands clasped together as they neared his truck. In case she struggled with the terrain. At least that was his excuse. He stopped in front of the steps of the house and stared at the porch. "I've always loved a wraparound porch. My dad built one on our farm in Indiana. It's Mom's favorite place."
"I'll bet. It oozes country life and charm. A couple of rocking chairs, some hanging baskets, and it'll be picture-perfect."
He chuckled. "After some paint."
She giggled then. "Yes. After painting it."
He turned to look into her eyes. "Do you have plans later? I'm bringing my parents out here, you are welcome to join us."
"Oh. That's so nice. I'd love to, but don't want to infringe on your time with your parents."
"It's not an infringement. We'll go inside and I can show you the rest of the house. Between you and my mom, I should get some good decorating pointers."
8
Everleigh settled into Henry's truck and took another look around the house and barns as they drove from the farm. It would be a beautiful place one day. Hopefully, she'd get back this way and see it after he had it all fixed up.
That thought made her heart feel heavy and she swallowed the knot in her throat. She’d love a house of her own one day, like her sister. A place to come home to. A place to relax. Henry was about to live her dream. She was so far away from her dream it was ludicrous to even have the dream.
"How about I treat you to dinner. It's the least I can do for you carting me around and showing me your new home."
His handsome face glowed when he smiled. His stunningly beautiful blue eyes sparkled. "You don't have to buy me dinner. I'm getting paid to cart you around."
Ouch. Her stomach twisted and her cheeks felt as though they'd caught fire.
"I'm aware that I'm a job. I was trying to be nice."
His brows bunched slightly. "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. It's just that you don't owe me anything."
"I don't think I owe you anything. I was simply inviting you..." She huffed out a breath. "Never mind."
