Page 20 of Love for a Lifetime

Dawson wrapped his arms around a massive log and stood with it against his chest. He set it down on the stump and picked up the ax.

“Does he do this every day?” Anna asked, breathy and dazed.

Chopping wood wasn’t an urgent task. It was August, for goodness’ sake.

“No, he’s putting on a show,” Olivia said.

And boy, did he know how to draw a crowd. He wrapped his big hands around the ax handle and held it to his chest as he studied the log. Scars in all shapes and sizes were scattered over his torso.

She knew those scars. She’d been around when he got a few of them. Dawson was attracted to trouble, and he hadn’t been easy on his body as a kid. It didn’t help that he grew up and chose a dangerous profession either.

Dawson lifted the ax above his head and slung it down until the blade crashed into the log. The thick wood split but not all the way through. He tossed the ax down and pried his fingers into the split. Every muscle in his arms rippled as he pulled the two halves of the log apart.

“Whoa,” Anna whispered.

Whoa was the word echoing in Olivia’s mind too. Dawson didn’t have to show off to catch her attention, but wow.

Dawson lifted his head and locked gazes with Olivia. A rush of heat swept up her neck and face as he gave her a one-sided grin and winked.

“Heaven help me,” Anna said.

Olivia straightened her shoulders. “He’s ridiculous,” she muttered. As if she needed another reason to hyperventilate today.

“Ridiculously hot,” Anna added.

A whistled chorus of “Sexy Back” came from outside the barn.

Olivia shook her head and focused on Henrietta, who was patiently waiting by the milking machine. Only Dawson would enjoy a physically demanding activity. “Ignore him.”

“That’s almost impossible.” Anna pulled her phone out and glanced at the screen. “I’ve gotta run. I told Mom I’d meet her for dinner.”

“Tell her I said hey.”

“I will. Love you. Call me later,” Anna said before blowing Olivia a kiss.

“Love you too.”

The barn was quiet after Anna left, except for the occasional loud crack when Dawson split a log. She’d milked three goats before Dawson’s rhythmic footsteps tore into her peaceful awareness.

“I was coming to do the milking,” Dawson said beside her.

There wasn’t anything to focus on while the machine did its work, but she held off on looking up at him as long as she could. “It’s fine. I was finished with my other chores.”

Dawson shifted beside her. “Want to talk about what happened earlier?”

Great. He was here to cut to the chase. “I told you, I’m fine.”

“I don’t mean yesterday. I’m talking about when you pawned me off as Anna’s date.”

Olivia jerked her chin up. Thankfully, he’d found his shirt, but her neck and face were still scorching. There wasn’t an ounce of irritation in Dawson’s features, but there wasn’t any fondness either. “What do you mean?”

“I asked you if you wanted to go to the wedding with me, but somehow I came out of the conversation as Anna’s date. Care to explain?”

Oh no. No, no, no. The quick heartbeats of panic rising flooded her system. “I don’t need a date,” she said, trying to mask the shakiness in her words.

“But you’re thinking about letting a random guy take you. Why is that?”

Dawson tilted his head slightly and rested his shoulder against the wall, settling in for her explanation.

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