Page 44 of About Time You Noticed

He nodded. "Afternoon, Mrs. Baxter." He waved. "See you next week."

Sarah gritted out a smile. "Bye," she squeaked.

"Normal, Sarah." He hissed. "We'll be in the gossip column if she suspects anything."

Thankfully, the older couple continued to the parking lot, not looking back.

"Close call." Sarah exhaled.

"Tell me about it." He smiled. "That's one way to douse a flame—Mrs. Baxter."

"Let's not tell the others yet. First, I want to get used to the idea of us."

He took her hand and quickly placed a kiss on her knuckles. "Of course. Will Becca kill me when she finds out?"

"Only if you hurt me."

He frowned. "I'm not going to hurt you, Sarah. Do I look like the type of guy who goes around breaking girls’ hearts?"

She scanned him head to toe. "On the outside, maybe."

He scoffed. "If I've broken any hearts, you'd know about it in this small town. Nothing gets past—" He nodded to the parking lot where Mrs. Baxter loaded a family wagon. "—the people of Idaho Springs."

"I guess not. I hope Becca doesn’t murder me for never telling her I had a crush on you."

"You had a crush on me?" He stuffed his hands in his jeans’ pockets. "Spill it."

"Maybe another time. Your ego’s been inflated enough for one day."

Chapter Thirteen

SARAH FILLED THE SINK with hot water and suds before slipping a dirty pan in to soak. She padded barefoot across the wooden floorboards, sat at the breakfast bar, and opened her laptop. She’d rather muck the stalls than do bookkeeping, but to reach her goals, she needed to stay on target. The AC on the wall behind her sent a gentle breeze over her neck. Sarah tapped on the mouse pad and opened a spreadsheet.

For months, she'd been putting a little money aside per week for a rental property. Could she afford to live away from her parents' land and maintain her equine therapy business?

She scanned the beautiful cottage. The brass door handles on the new cream cabinets gleamed in the fluorescent light. A brand-new Belling oven sat below the silver backsplash surrounding the kitchen, giving the place a fresh modern vibe.

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