“Sorry I’m late,” he said, stepping inside the barn.
She glanced up and smiled. “You’re not. Remember, you’re only helping me out. You don’t work here.”
He took her hips in his hands and then pulled her into a kiss. “It’s been crazy the last few days. But I just want you to know, I really want to see you again.” He brushed his lips across hers.
He felt her relax in his arms as the kiss deepened. “I’d like that,” she said when he pulled back.
“Tonight?” he asked, then winced. “Scratch that. Tomorrow night?”
“Can’t tomorrow. It’s Liz’s birthday. She wanted to head into town and go dancing.”
“I can dance,” he said with a smile. “If you let me know where and when you’re going, I can just happen to bump into you?”
She laughed. “Where else is there to dance in Cedar? The Firehouse.”
He kissed her again. “How will Liz take it if I crash her party?”
She shrugged. “I think it depends on what you bring her or how many drinks you buy.”
He laughed. “What is she in the market for?”
“A man, but she can’t have you,” Kara said, pulling him back down for another kiss.
From there, she had him run out and refill all the water troughs. He spent a few minutes with Wilbur before hunting Kara down in the hen house.
She was trying to hammer a board onto the roof of the house, but she wasn’t quite tall enough to reach.
“Here,” he said, taking the hammer from her and easily pounding the nail in.
“I could have…” she started, but he glanced down at her and she shut her mouth. She pouted up at him. “I could have done it myself.”
“You needed a ladder. You’re too short.” He started hammering another nail in. “This hen house needs rebuilding.”
“Yes, I know. I’ve told my father…” She let out a large sigh. “Dad was going to do it when he got back. This will help. Thanks.”
He smiled, knowing it took all her willpower to say those words.
“Anytime,” he said after he was done. “Anything else I can help with?” He looked around.
She followed his gaze. “No, not today. It’s supposed to snow again tonight. I wanted to go for a ride, but…” She shook her head.
“How about a short walk then?” he suggested, needing the fresh air and time with her.
She smiled. “Sure.” She set down the rag she’d wiped her hands on. He took her hand, and they headed out across the yard.
In front of the home there was a large oak tree, the kind most would hang a swing from. All of its leaves were long gone, making it a twisted dark figure that they headed towards.
“I can’t wait until spring,” she said with a sigh.
He chuckled. “We just started winter.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Three months ago. Besides, in the last week we’ve had enough snow for a full winter. Christmas is next week. We are definitely in the middle of winter.”
“Right, but we’ll get snow for the next five months. Don’t you enjoy the snow?”
“I love the snow, but in the spring, this tree blooms with the most beautiful pink flowers.” She motioned to a smaller tree that sat next to the oak. “In the fall, its leaves are the first to change to a bright red.” She lifted her face to the sky and took a deep breath. “Winter is fine if it’s snowing. If it’s not, it’s just…”
“Depressing,” he finished for her, understanding. Each day since his father’s death, he’d slipped deeper and deeper. When the snow came or when he was with her, his spirits lifted.