Page 65 of When Sparks Fly

He smirks openly and backs up. “My place then.”

Sutton gets as much of the glass out of the driver’s seat as possible before tossing the blanket I used for the shoot over it. I can tell it’s not his preference, but we have to get it back to Nana’s and he has to move the trailer,so we make do.

Nana’s drive isn’t really ideal for turning around a truck and trailer, so I’m not surprised when Sutton opts to park on the street. He busies himself sealing up my window with things from the garage while I schedule mobile repair to come out.

The pumpkins find new homes on the stairs and around the front porch before I head in to pack an overnight bag.

Before long, the storm door closes quietly behind Sutton. The magnetism between us is palpable. I loved playing with magnets when I was younger. The closer they got to each other, the harder it was to keep them apart. It’s the same sensation I feel when Sutton’s around. It's how I know he’s leaned against the wall outside my bedroom door even though his steps were silent.

“Have you ever been hunting?” His low voice floats through the doorway while he remains out of view. I suspect he’s giving me privacy, just in case.

A pair of pants dangle over my open duffle as I pause to answer. “Are you asking because you’re convinced someone is trying to assassinate me and therefore want to make sure I’m still alive in this room, while still providing me privacy? Or do you actually want to go hunting?”

He laughs heartily against the wall and I race to the doorway. “Do that again.”

He looks so casual leaning against his shoulder and facing me with a wide grin. “Have you been hunting?”

“Yes, sir, I have.” His grin disappears and his eyes turn hungry. I raise my eyebrows at him as his works jaw back and forth.

“Would you like to go again?”

I roll my eyes. “Can’t you just ask what you want? Yes, Sutton, I will be happy to hunt with you.” I give his free shoulder a small push before heading back into my room, feeling a playful tug at my ponytail as I do.

“I don’t know if you could sit still long enough to shoot anything.”

The tease brings a smile to my face.

I throw the last few items into my bag and zip it up. At my door, Sutton motions for me to pass him, snatching my bag as I do. I’m not even a little bothered. His chivalry is growing on me.

He waits at the edge of the porch while I lock up, then walks side-by-side with me out to his truck. I absolutely do not touch the door while he loads my duffle into the backseat. I’m not sure he’s even noticed my restraint when he opens it for me, until I pass him to climb in and he leans in to whisper in my ear, “Good girl.”

And I nearly melt.

Chapter 29

Maci

The drive to the ranch is quiet. Sutton doesn’t try to distract me from my thoughts, so I let them run free. My heart and brain are in a tug of war.

The sun is being chased from the sky in oranges, pinks, and purples as we pull onto the dusty driveway. Sutton lets us in the gate, closing it behind us to avoid a cow-tastrophe. When I tell him as much, he looks at me like I have three heads. “You good?”

“Yeah.” I laugh half-heartedly. “Maybe a little on edge.”

He reaches over the console and squeezes my thigh reassuringly.

The ride is bumpy and I watch out the window. We pass the fork we took left the first time Sutton brought me out, heading to the right instead. He continues to pass several smaller turn-offs before the road ends in a rounded area.

A beautiful, smokey blue ranch-style house greets us. With two windows on either side of the door, its symmetrical facade reminds me of houses I drew as a child. The sun setting toward the back left of the house adds to the memory. A handful of steps lead to the front door.

“Welcome to The Big House.”

“Sounds like a prison.”

He smirks at me. “It’s the main house on the ranch. My parents’ house.” He barely pauses, sensing my unease. “Don’t worry, I have a private entrance.”

It’s a feat to maintain eye contact as he studies me, while I try to school my face. We haven’t exactly outlined what we’re doing and though I’ve met his mother, being out here now seems like a bigger step.

“I will gladly take you in to say hi to my parents.” My heart picks up. “But if you don’t want to or you’re not up for it, that’s fine, too. I had already planned to invite you to dinner tomorrow and there’s no reason we can’t wait until then. And they didn’t know about that or coming out now.”

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