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The storm had been a cruel twist of fate, a perfect metaphor for the storm that's now brewing in my heart. I know she said she's not looking for anything serious, but the thought of never seeing her again...it hurts more than I expected.
I have to make the most of whatever time we have. Show her all the beauty and adventure this place has to offer. And if I manage to charm her into staying longer, well, that'd be just fine with me.
One thing's for sure, I'm already addicted to the way she makes me feel—alive in a way I haven't felt in years. I won't let this chance slip away without a fight. Mariah barged into my world and turned it upside down in the best way. And I'm not above trying every trick in the back to keep her around.
MARIAH
"There's just something about watching a man work," I say, sipping at my margarita as I peer over my sunglasses at the row of dirty, sweaty men shearing sheep after church on Sunday. I may be more interested in a certain cowboy after last night, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the view.
"As much as I enjoyed lusting over men in their suits back in the city," Regina says, stretching out on her lawn chair, "hard work glistening on well-muscled arms is seriously a gift from the gods."
I nod in agreement. "Don't let Josh hear you talk like that," I tease.
Regina laughs. "He knows he's the only hero worthy of being in my story. This is just in the name of research."
Kym shakes her head at us. "I swear you two are a terrible influence. I should be doing some admin work or something. Not out here ogling the men."
"You think they wouldn't do it if a bunch of women were shearing with their bodies on show?" I counter. Kym laughs in concession.
"I'm sure they would. I just feel...It feels wrong looking now that Hayes isn't up there," Kym says, referring to the very same man she was trying to forget during our girls' night out. Seems they've made up in the time between me leaving the bar with Clark and right now.Good for her.
"Ohhhh, sounds like things are back on between you two," I say, turning to face her eagerly. Kym smiles and explains how what we overheard was just a misunderstanding. I'm thrilled for her—Hayes seems like a great guy, from what I can tell.
As Kym gushes over her new romance, I discreetly check my phone when it buzzes in my lap. It's a text from Clark.
Clark: Change of plans. Meet me at your cottage in 20 mins. I've got a surprise.
My pulse quickens.
Me: How do you have my number? And what makes you think I can drop everything to rush over to you?
Clark: I got it last night while you were in the bath. Saved mine on your phone too. And quit stalling and get that sweet ass over here pronto.
I bite my lip to stifle my smile. I think I like bossy Clark. But as tempting as his offer is, I don't want to ditch my girls' day. I quickly type back.
Me: I'm with friends at the moment. Raincheck?
His reply is instant.
Clark: Don't leave me waiting, city girl. 20 mins.
I bite my lip, unable to fight my smile any longer. As much as I want to play it cool, the thought of seeing Clark makes me tingle with anticipation.
"Why don't you tell us about your date last night, Mariah?" Regina asks suddenly, and I quickly put my phone facedown now that the focus of our conversation has left Kym. "You sounded so sure you'd nab yourself a shearer, but you ended up going home with a local farmhand."
"A beautiful farmhand, I'll have you know," I say, tilting my head back to bask in the sun. "And he was..." I sigh, then quickly sit up. Twenty minutes doesn't give me a lot of time to get back. "We didn't sleep together."
"What?" both Reggie and Kym blurt in unison.
"We talked instead," I say, standing up while a giggle escapes me. "It was nice. He took me back to the cottage, walked me to the door, and kissed me goodnight. It was pretty dreamy, and we're going out again Friday night. He's buying me dinner." Not quite the full truth, but enough of it that I won't have to explain where I'm rushing off to. I don't want these two getting any ideas in their heads. Clark and I are just...having fun.
"And you're blushing!" Regina says, her mouth open in surprise. "Oh my gosh, Mariah Peterson. Do you...likehim?"
"Oh, would you look at the time," I say, looking at my bare wrist and picking up my purse. "I should be getting back to the cottage. Work to catch up on and all that."
"You're here on vacation," Regina counters, and I just laugh, waving over my shoulder as I rush away, eager to freshen up before meeting Clark. But as fast as I walk along the path from the farm to the cottage, I still don't manage to make it back before Clark's arrival. He's leaning against the railing of my front porch, handsome as ever in his cowboy hat and boots.
When he sees me, his eyes light up. "There's my girl. Only a few minutes late, too."
