“I always wished I had learned to play well.”
“There’s still time,” Sarah murmured. “You’re not dead yet.”
Eli snorted as she moved to sit up fully. “Not dead, no, but I certainly don’t have the time for piano lessons.”
“If you don’t make the time, it’ll never happen.”
Eli gave her a hard look. “True. But not now. Thank you again. I truly enjoyed that. I miss having music in here during the winter months. They can get long.”
“I imagine.” Sarah closed the lid on the keys and moved over to sit next to Eli on the couch. She curled one leg under her body, her socked foot hanging over the edge of the cushion as she leaned back into the arm, facing Eli fully. “Maybe you’ll be so busy with the B&B that someday you won’t know what to do with yourself and you’ll beg for these quiet moments.”
Laughing, Eli shook her head. “Doubtful. We’re not exactly a desirable destination.”
“I don’t know, I came here on a whim, and I’ve enjoyed all of my time here so far.”
“Truly?”
“Truly what?” Sarah’s eyes widened. “Enjoyed it?”
Eli nodded, innocence spilling over her face.
“Yes, I have. Maybe not the first night with the storm, but everything since then.”
“I feel like a poor host.”
“What would make you say that?” Sarah reached out, her hand finding Eli’s and giving a squeeze. “You’ve been exemplary.”
“You are not a typical guest.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I think you’ve cooked me more meals than I’ve cooked for you.”
“I enjoy cooking. It helps relax me sometimes.”
“Yes, butyouare on vacation.”
The curl on Sarah’s lips was unexpected. “Vacation doesn’t mean I sit on my ass day and night, trust me.”
“Oh, I’m aware.” Eli drew in a sharp breath. “I can’t even remember the last time I took a vacation.”
“What do you mean?”
“Farmers don’t typically leave the farm.”
“Like ever?”
“Rarely.”
Sarah’s brow furrowed. “Why’s that?”
“Who would take care of my cows? This is a full-time job. Finding someone else to do it for me, even for a short time, is hard enough.”
“I guess I hadn’t really thought of that.” Sarah brushed her thumb along the backside of Eli’s hand, not wanting to lose that contact. With every day that passed, she felt more drawn to Eli and the urge to be close to her got harder to resist, but still, she didn’t want to give in to it.
She was still a mid-list singer and songwriter who had connections and money, whether she wanted to admit it or not. She kept her life largely low-key, but that didn’t mean her life wouldn’t interest others in ways she didn’t want them to be interested. Sarah licked her lips, curious what it would be like to have Eli lick them instead of her.
Heat boiled in her stomach, moving lower, and she slid her gaze from their connected hands up Eli’s arm to her chest, where she paused briefly, before staring straight at her lips. The kiss between Bridget and Eli came back into her mind, only this time she was curious about it. What would it feel like to have Eli press against her, push her into the wall, Eli’s body covering hers, hands roaming?