Page 50 of One Summer Day (Prosperity Ranch 1)

“What are those for?” Rex asked.

“Heidi put it on her list for me,” Macie said. “Probably a salad for dinner.”

Rex nodded and crossed to the kitchen sink, where he rinsed his glass out. “You’ve been mighty helpful to her.”

“Oh, I’m happy to help however I can.” Macie lifted her gaze for a second. “I’m grateful for all you’ve done for me and Ruby.”

Rex folded his arms. “We’re glad you came. Families shouldn’t be separated for so long.”

“I agree,” Macie said, although her throat was feeling tight for some reason.

“But I need to tell you one thing, Macie, then I should get to my meeting.”

At this, she set down the knife and turned her full attention on the man who had once been her father-in-law.

“You need to be mindful,” he said. “Of everyone’s hearts in the family.” He straightened from where he’d been leaning against the counter, then snatched his cowboy hat from the table where he’d left it and strode out of the kitchen.

It was some time before Macie’s hands stopped trembling and she could resume slicing vegetables. She paused yet again when another set of footsteps came into the house. These were lighter, but still a man’s.

And when Holt slid his arms about her waist from behind, relief shuddered through her. Whatever his dad’s opinion was, Holt’s was what mattered.

“Hey, darlin’,” Holt murmured. “Everyone gone?”

“Mostly,” she said, placing her hands over Holt’s and leaning against him. This was new, yet felt so comfortable at the same time. “Ruby’s asleep, and I don’t know how long your mom will be gone.”

“Hmm,” his voice rumbled. “So it’s just us?”

Her belly fluttered. “Yes.” She felt his smile against her neck just before he pressed a kiss there.

Then he kissed her below her earlobe. The scruff of his jaw sent her skin tingling. She turned slowly in his arms and gazed into his smiling blue eyes. Her heart soared, and she smiled back. “You’re kind of a hands-on guy, aren’t you, Holt Prosper?”

His hands skimmed over her arms, and then his callused hands cradled her face. “With you, always.”

He kissed her as if it hadn’t only been an hour since their last one. Macie had no problem returning his kisses, and she tugged his hat off, which made him chuckle. He backed her against the counter, trapping her, which only meant she was fully pressed against his lean body. She slid her hands along his neck and into his hair, pulling him even closer.

Holt’s hands skimmed down her back, then tugged her hips against him.

Before she knew it, he’d lifted her onto the counter, dragging her legs around him. Holt was all man, and all hers. Everything about him was warm, delicious, intoxicating, and when her fingers trailed his torso, he drew in a breath.

“Macie, we gotta stop,” he said, his breathing ragged as he moved his mouth to her collarbone.

“I don’t want to.”

“Me, neither, darlin’, but I’m not going to be able to backpedal if we don’t cool it off right now.”

Macie paused, her heart rate crazy. “Okay. You’re right.”

Holt rested his forehead against hers as she slowly traced his shoulders. “I came in here to tell you something, but then I got distracted.”

Macie smiled, but when she met his gaze, his blue eyes were serious. “What is it?”

“I’m going to start staying at my place in town,” he said. “The renovations have made it pretty unlivable, but I’ll just sleep there, and eat here.”

Macie felt like she’d been doused with cold water. “Why?”

His thumb skimmed her jaw. “I think you know. I won’t be doing much sleeping with you only a couple of bedrooms away. And it’s only going to be harder to hide my feelings about you from my parents when we’re constantly in each other’s proximity.”

Macie exhaled. These were words that should be making her happy on one level, but her stomach had hollowed out. “And what are those feelings?” she whispered.

“That I can’t stay away from you, darlin’,” he said. “That I can’t stop thinking about you. That I don’t want to be apart for even one minute. I know it sounds crazy.”

She pulled him into a fierce hug. “I know it’s crazy, too, but I feel the same way.”

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