Page 76 of Love Me Fearless

“Does that mean you want me to keep doing it?”

I wrap my arms around his neck, grounding myself in the feel of him so I don’t let that question take me to the dark side. Because we both know he can’t keep doing it forever. There’s an expiration date coming, whether it’s tomorrow or next week.

He lowers to kiss me, his lips tugging on mine in a sweet embrace.

I should care more about that expiration date. By the way my heart is pounding in my chest, she’s certainly warning me to.

I rise on my tiptoes so I can kiss him back, letting my lips linger on his just a little longer. His tongue flicks against my mouth like a tease. An invitation I can’t seem to resist. He caresses the bare patch of skin at my low back, his touch slow and tender, unhurried like always. It makes me feel almost giddy to imagine the rest of the night playing out just like this—with us taking our time.

I told him just dinner, but it’s clear that plan has long been abandoned. I want this man. All of him. For as long as I can have him. My heart will just have to shelter in place.

The timer on the stove beeps, and Hutch smiles as we break apart, like he can read what’s running through my mind, and liking it. I focus on pulling together a simple salad while Hutch slices the bread, then we bring everything to the table.

My first bite of his chicken is so rich and yummy that I close my eyes in bliss. “Wow.”

He looks up from where he’s cutting his first bite to shoot me a cocky grin.

Could he be any more handsome right now?

We talk about the farm and the busy summer ahead—thankfullyskipping over specifics. I try to savor each bite but I’m hungry and the flavors are perfect.

“How’d the search in York Springs go?” I ask, taking my last bite. “A mining accident, right?”

His face goes still, hardening the planes of his face in the candlelight. “Yeah.” He twirls his wine glass. “The guy was fine. Broken ankle.”

“How’d he get down there?”

“It started with him poaching, and the shaft kind of drops off to a, um, ledge.”

“He’s lucky someone knew where to find him.” I break off a corner of bread and dip it in the sauce.

“There was something else down there.” He leans back from the table, his eyes troubled. “I guess I didn’t get a chance to tell you yesterday.”

My gut tenses because this sounds bad.

“A young woman’s bones.”

I reach for his hand. “Hutch, that’s terrible.”

He wraps his fingers around mine. “It definitely unnerved me.”

“Did you call the police?”

“Yeah, they sent a forensic team down there.”

I wince. What an awful thing for him to see. “Do they know her identity?”

“No.” He kisses the back of my hand, pressing his lips to my skin for a moment before sliding his fingers free.

“I’m sorry you had to experience that.”

“Definitely spooked me.”

“I can understand why.” I chew another bite of my bread, unable to stop the questions forming in my mind. Did this poor girl fall down there like that miner? Or did someone leave her there? A chill ghosts across my skin.

“At least she’s out of that mine.”

I sip my wine. “Maybe take a break from search and rescue?”

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