Setting her straight on the seat, I quickly lugged the huge baskets of greens into the trailer, pitching our water bottles in as well. “Put your sweater on, it’s going to kick in before we
make it back.”
I appreciated that she followed instructions immediately, without asking a slew of stupid
questions like those flighty girls. She zipped up her hoodie and grabbed me the second I
jumped on. It was raining steadily, but not violently as I took off down the trail.
By the time I made it back to the main buildings, we were soaked to the skin. Driving
straight into the barn, I cut the engine and turned to Joanna.
She was laughing, even though she looked chilly. “Wow, that was… Refreshing,” she
giggled. Her positiv
e attitude was adorable.
Helping her off the vehicle, I snuck a look around, but there didn’t seem to be anyone
around. Pulling her against me, I held her close to warm her up. “Are you okay, sweetie?” I
murmured against her hair, rubbing her back briskly.
“Yeah, I’ll be alright,” she said. “I’m stronger than I look, remember?”
Dammit, I needed her more than ever, but didn’t want anyone to see us together quite yet.
“Let’s get you back to your room so you can grab a hot shower and some dry clothes,” I
said, forcing myself to put some space between us. She stuck out her bottom lip, pouting sexily.
“You put that lip away or I’ll bite it right off,” I growled softly against her ear. Her little laugh was starting to drive me seriously crazy.
Quickly walking her to her room in the guest house, it was torture to stand with her under
the awning and not kiss her goodbye. “Have a good afternoon with your writing. I’ll see you
at dinner.”
“See you soon. Thanks for saving me from the storm,” she grinned.
I watched until the door was shut behind her, then went into the main house, up the stairs to
the far wing where my room was. Every farmhand had their own room and private
bathroom, which was heaven compared to some of the operations I’d heard about.
As I stripped off my wet clothes, stepping immediately into the shower, I couldn’t stop
thinking about Joanna’s round hips under my hands.
She was so sweet and young. Could I be the man she needed, even though I was more
than a decade older? Did those things even matter anymore?
Knowing that she was at a time in her life where she was into trying new experiences was a