Page 107 of Fragile Heart

Clearing my throat, I say, “We got the new seat for my car already, so it’s really no big deal.”

Caleb crosses the kitchen and kisses me, pulling me just far enough to the side to avoid Ethan.

“Thank you,” he murmurs against my lips.

I offer a small smile and kiss him again, needing his touch and scent and taste before he’s gone. After too short a time, he pulls away. Ethan does, too, after squeezing my knee.

“I need to get to the ranch,” he says when I grab his hand.

I force my breathing steady as I release him. Both men rush around the kitchen, pulling together the things they need. Ethan grabs the flannel thrown over a chair from yesterday and shrugs it on.

“We’ll be done by six,” Ethan says.

“I’ll call tonight,” Caleb offers.

“Be safe,” I tell them both. They nod in unison.

And then I’m alone in the kitchen.

Alone and wanting.

Again.

For a moment, I’m in that damn condo in Denver again.

And then I shove the feelings aside before they can swell up and drown me.

Chapter Forty-Seven

BRIELLE

Olivia’s smiling when she opens her door. Her gaze takes me in and then the small pair of feet just behind mine. Her smile turns sly, a knowing glint in her eyes.

“Hey!” she says. “Let me just grab my purse, and we can head out.”

Camden giggles behind me, his forehead pressing into my back. When Olivia starts past me, Camden jumps out.

“Boo!” he says.

Olivia jumps, pretending to be spooked. Camden cackles and then hugs her.

“Hi Aunt Olivia! I get to spend today with Bri.” He starts down the porch. “Nana and Grammy are both busy and Emily has to work at Misty. She has trail rides today.”

“I hope you don’t mind,” I tell her. “I’ve packed activities and snacks for him in case it takes longer than I’m hoping.”

She smiles and shakes her head. “I think it’s great he’s doing this with you!”

I help Camden into the new seat that’s now taken up residence in my Land Rover—on the left side at his request. I hand him the trucks Ethan said were his favorites, and he grins.

“Thanks Mommy Bri,” he says.

He garbles the r in my name for the first time in weeks, making it sound like “mommy be.”

My breath catches, and I freeze.

“Oh my God,” Olivia breathes. “I wish I’d gotten that on camera.”

Camden flushes red and ducks his head. “Sorry, Bri.”

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