Page 16 of Spring Forward

Knowing how much these horses are going to help people makes me feel light.

“Not today, Freckles,” Noel’s rich voice comes from behind me and makes me jump and twirl around to face him.

“Not today, what?” My question is breathless as I press my hand to my chest.

He reaches over and pulls my hand away, the callouses on his fingers sliding over my skin as he entwines our hands. When he tugs me back toward the entrance to the barn, I don’t resist. I’m not entirely sure I could at this point.

There’s something about this man that pulls me in. I’m not delusional and don’t believe this will last longer than my time here, but I can’t deny how much I’m enjoying myself. Maybe, just maybe, in the dark of night I admit to myself how deeply Noel Burns has burrowed under my skin. But I won’t be saying it to him any time soon.

“No work today. Sierra was being stubborn yesterday during your assessment and you deserve a break,” his tone holds no room for argument.

And he is the boss.

“Oh? What do you have in mind?” How my voice comes out steady instead of wavering with need and pent-up desire, I’ll never know. But I’m thankful.

The heated look Noel throws me over his shoulder has my pussy clenching. This isn’t the first stolen moment we’ve had, but Noel has been filling the time with trying to learn as much about me as possible. It’s kind of sweet, even though it makes my heart ache for what I’m fairly certain can never be.

“Today, we’re going to the Flower Market in town.”

“We are?”

He grins and nods as he leads me back toward the house. “We are. We’re going to grab August and head into town. It’s a good way to see what new spring things businesses around town areoffering. I also try and get a few new plants for the ranch there every year. If I didn’t then Mom would never let me hear the end of it.”

I can’t help but giggle and shake my head. The landscaping around the ranch is gorgeous and just starting to really bounce back after winter even though it’s still chilly in the morning and at night.

Nostalgia fills me. My mom was always really particular about the flowers on our ranch. The ache of loss I always feel when I think about my mom is still there but it’s not quite as sharp this time.

I’m not sure if it’s a good or a bad thing.

August is waiting for us at the front door of the house, and I glance at Noel who only winks at me. Huh. I guess my guys have been scheming.

I freeze for a moment at the thought of Noel being mine, but I shake it off. It’s just temporary.

“Are we ready to go?” August’s excitement is palpable.

I swear the kid is almost vibrating with it and it makes me smile. He’s been thriving since we arrived at Limitless. I’m sure it’s because of the attention from the Burns brothers. All of them treat him like he’s special and none of them judge him or expect less from him just because of his past injuries, even though they’re aware of them. Then there’s Macklin. They’ve bonded and August treats him like a younger brother but not one he’s annoyed by.

It's incredibly sweet. Part of me has been tempted to warn August about getting too attached, but I haven’t been able to bring myself to actually do it.

At least not yet.

I can only hope that doesn’t bite me in the ass.

“Ready for what?” There’s a tease in my voice as I reach over and ruffle my brother’s hair.

He swats my hand away and shoots Noel an exasperated look. “Didn’t you tell her where we’re going?”

Noel holds up his hands in surrender, “I told her, bud.”

August’s chest puffs up with pride as he informs me, “Noel said I could help pick out the flowers for the ranch.”

“Did he now?” I eye the man next to me whose brown eyes are already taking me in. I swear sometimes he’s just waiting for me to look at him.

Or he’s enamored with you.

I shake off the thought and allow Noel to lead me over to his truck while August practically skips next to us. He chirps, “I’m going to pick a rainbow of flowers. It’ll be so pretty.”

“I have no doubt,” I assure him while grinning wide.

---