About keeping the homestead in the family, as well as raising my own herd.
I thought any chance I had at that really happening had long passed.
But seeing Tina for the first time. I just knew she was the one. I knew it in my gut, and I still know it now.
The effects of what I’ve just told her are registering on her features once she catches on to just how serious I am about her.
About us and a future here, together. A family of our own.
It’s a lot to take in, and I don’t want to rush things or ruin our time together by getting down on one knee just yet.
Although, it is only lunchtime, and we’ve got all day to go yet….
But she needs to know how I feel, and long before it’s supposed to be time for her to go back to the city with her mom.
And yeah. Even before I do claim her properly. I need her to understand I’m not just talking my way into her pants.
I want all of her. And not just for the weekend.
“I’ll go get the gear and tether those mares before they eat our lunch,” I tell her.
Not expecting her to follow me, but glad when she moves to do just that.
“Thanks for sharing your story,” she says, sounding a bit formal and making me chuckle to myself.
A part of me almost expected the gentle let down as she explains she’s really just a girl looking for a good time, not a ball and chain act for the rest of her days.
But when she notices the question in my eyes, she shifts nervously. Moving closer and letting her fingers curl around the edges of my shirt buttons, she looks up at me.
“Will you show me the bedroom?” she purrs, showing her forward, daring side.
A part of her I’m liking more and more by the second.
“I mean…you did say we were going to… you know…,” she says, losing some of her bravado and trailing off, flushing with shyness mixed with her fresh interest in what we both know we came here for.
And it wasn’t just to have a lesson in my family history.
“I’ll do more than show you the bedroom,” I caution her with a grin, pulling her close. “But I do need to bring our gear in. Because once you’re on your back, we won’t be going anyplace for a long while,” I assure her.
She shivers with excitement, and her eyes flash wide, darkening with her own instant arousal, which is like a laser beam activating my own in a split second.
My need to be inside her rising up as quickly as the tent pole in my jeans, but I meant what I just said.
Those damn horses can’t be trusted on their own for this long. Especially if they find out there’s food they’re not allowed in amongst those packs Lucy’s carrying.
Both of us head back outside, and before I even whistle for the horses, I can see them skulking off hoping I haven’t spotted them.
They love a bit of mischief, and I guess why should us humans have all the fun today?
Ruby’s so big it’s hard to miss her. And I catch her eye just once before she breaks off into a quick canter, an instant accomplice in Lucy’s game.
Both of them heading for the meadow that leads down to the stream opposite the cabin, and with more than just a head start on me, I’ve got no choice but to take off after them.
“Mack, wait!” Tina cries, giggling once she pegs what the horses are up to. And without another word she’s trying her best to keep up with me as I jog forward.
Hoping to spot them again before they get too far.
Once I get to the ridge where the meadow drops off, I crouch low as I scan the tree line.
Knowing that at least one of them is as lousy at hiding as I am.
Tina huffs a wheezing breath and tries to stay low and quiet when she sidles up next to me.
Pushing her glasses that have fogged up further back on her face.
“What…is…so important…in those packs?” she asks, trying to look casual, but looking like she’s just run a marathon.
Making me stifle a laugh but also making me realize just how fucking adorable she is, no matter what’s happening.
“Just our lunch…and dinner, for one thing,” I murmur. “Plus the radio…,” I add, groaning to myself once I realize.
Tina shoots me a quick look of concern.
“If I don’t radio in soon, Mrs. Corbett will have the whole forest department out looking for us,” I mutter.
“Don’t think she wouldn’t either,” I’m quick to tell Tina.
“It was my birthday one year and I was a couple hours late back. It took a lot of free steaks and favors to make them forget about the bill for those search and rescue helicopters.”