Page 102 of Scrape the Barrel
“I’ll bring enchiladas for Avery’s birthday dinner.”
She frowned at me as she pulled her jeans up.
“How do I know you make good enchiladas?”
I shrugged. “Guess you’ll have to find out.”
After getting fully dressed, minus the apron, she walked back around the counter and leaned against it. I stood in front of her, rubbing my hands up and down her sides.
“So is this what being your girlfriend is going to be like?” she asked.
I smirked. “Me having sex with you at your place of work?”
She nodded.
“You could always come have sex with me at mine. There’s horse stalls, hay bales—” She shoved my shoulder lightly, her smile stretching her lips.
I kissed her cheek, then moved my lips to graze her ear. “Sometimes I just can’t stop thinking about you.”
“Sometimes, huh?” she snarked.
“Alright, all the time.” I pulled back, looking at her. “Is that a crime?”
“No,” she admitted, her smile still wide and beautiful as ever. “It’s quite the opposite actually.”
“Good. Because I like being able to kiss you whenever, no matter where we are.”
She raised a brow. “Just kiss me?”
My smile took on a devilish glint. “Don’t tempt me, Sage McKinley.”
But something told me she’d be doing that without even trying.
33
Callan
The soles of my boots brushed against the jute doormat as I stomped the dirt off. I’d moved all my lessons for this Saturday into the week so I could take that day off for Avery’s birthday party. My week was packed because of it, but I wouldn’t miss her party or her birthday dinner for anything.
As much as admitting it scared me, I was growing attached to Avery. Her mother and I were already set in stone, but earning that little girl's trust and love was important.
I found my mom in the kitchen prepping pie crusts for Avery’s party this weekend. Though there would be cake, Avery had apparently talked her into making three different kinds of pies for her party as well.
“Good day?” Mom asked as she rolled out the dough.
“Been doing lessons back to back since seven a.m., so it’s been a day to say the least.” Some of the local kids were homeschooled, which made their schedules a bit more flexible. I’d fit them in during the hours I’d typically be helping Dad out with the cows, which meant he’d been alone with Bailey most of the day.
Leaning my hands against the counter, I saw the smile on Mom’s face.
“What?”
She shook her head. “You really like them.”
I wasn’t sure if ‘like’ covered it anymore.
I reached up to take my hat off, my other hand running through my hair. “I just moved some things around so I could make it this weekend. It’s nothing big.”
She narrowed her eyes at me, pausing her rolling. “You’ve never changed your schedule for a woman.”
