Page 25 of Savage Secrets

They all laughed. Zach left too, and Opal and Kirsten took their coffee and rolls to the front porch. The kids chased each other around the yard, and Opal and her friend sat to enjoy their snack and watch them.

Kirsten studied her face. “How are you holding up?”

She set her coffee aside. “I’m doing okay. Some moments are harder than others.”

She offered her a sympathetic smile. “Don’t forget I’m just a phone call away.”

The girls let out twin peals of laughter. They looked up to see Zach raking leaves into a pile for them to jump in.

“Could that be any cuter?” Opal asked.

“Could he be any hotter?”

She covered her reaction to Kirsten’s comment by taking a mouthful of coffee. The way Zach moved that rake sent liquid heat low into her belly. Did he naturally do this stuff or was he trying to steal her heart?

Because he was…

Kirsten licked some frosting off her fingertip. “I wouldn’t kick him out of my bed for leaving crumbs.”

“Kirsten!”

“You should hit that.”

Oh god. Did her expression reveal that she already had?

“I’ve been talking to a new guy.” Kirsten’s revelation was a relief—at least the focus was off Opal.

They polished off a couple rolls each and talked about everything from the new guy to the latest gossip in the neighborhood. The girls lost interest in jumping in the leaves, and Zach emerged from the barn carrying a hay bale, which he set out for the few horses in the paddock.

“Oh, here comes Zach!” Kirsten didn’t need to tell Opal. She wasfartoo aware of the man crossing the lawn in purposeful strides.

She met his gaze for a heartbeat too long. Sheknewit was too long, but it wasn’t possible to tear her eyes away. “Did…did you need something, Zach?”

“I’m heading into town for supplies. Do you need me to pick up anything while I’m out?”

Maybe more condoms.

Her mind stuttered, and her body went haywire thanks to the electricity in his steady gaze.

“We’re almost out of coffee.”

“It’s already on my list.”

Kirsten observed the exchange, sitting back in her seat with a knowing smile on her face.

“Thanks, Zach.”

He started to turn away but swung back. “We could take Rainie to the pumpkin patch on Saturday to pick up pumpkins.”

Her heart gave a flutter. She didn’t even know that they made men so swoony, let alone roughened cowboys helping out around her ranch.

She felt herself nod, a soft smile teasing the corners of her mouth. “That sounds really nice, Zach. Rainie will love it.”

His stare burrowed deep into her for another heartbeat.

With a slow, crooked smile, he tipped his hat to Opal and her friend. “Good. We’ll make a day of it.”

He held her gaze a moment longer, as if there were more he wanted to say and didn’t. Instead, he turned and strode toward the old truck parked in the driveway, leaving her thoughts in a tangle over the possibilities.

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