Page 76 of Forever After All

“Can you bring me a Coke?” Jess asked.

“I bet Mr. Chambers has coffee.”

The widening of her eyes was subtle, but Linc noticed.

“So, coffee?” he asked.

“Coffee, if it’s not too much trouble.”

Linc headed for the dining hall with one thing on his mind. A night in the barn didn’t sound too bad if he got to spend it with Jess.

Chapter22

Jess

Jess pressed the stethoscope to Applejack’s side and closed her eyes. Somehow, it helped her hear better. There were a few intestinal sounds, but was it enough to alleviate her concerns?

Linc had been gone for a while. Maybe he decided to stay home and get some decent sleep. She wasn’t going to be worth two cents tomorrow if she stayed up all night watching Applejack.

Spending the night with Linc was the last thing she needed. Curbing her confusing feelings for him should be a top priority, but not one part of her wanted to let it go.

The heaviness in her chest was back. If she didn’t get a handle on her reactions to him, she’d just have to live with this pressing weight. They’d been working together for years, but how could she pretend like she didn’t care when he’d tended to her so sweetly when she was injured and been there to turn her mood around when her dates had been busts?

Being with Linc right after those dates had been a bad idea. She couldn’t go from being treated badly to being held by Linc and not see the contrast. She knew better than anyone that most things in life were confusing, but the difference between other men and Linc was black and white.

The barn door creaked, and Linc entered with his arms full. Rushing to help him, Jess took in the things he carried. Pillows and blankets. She darted behind him to close the door and followed him to the office.

And following him was a bad idea. He’d changed into a white thermal shirt that hugged his broad shoulders, putting the muscles in his back on full display. Thankfully, the flannel shirts he usually wore hid that definition. She’d never get any work done if Linc’s muscles hogged all of her attention.

The gray sweats he wore didn’t help either. And did the bottoms have to be messily tucked into his work boots? It was as if he knew what kind of bait to use to catch her attention.

So unfair. She looked like she’d just rolled out of a dumpster in her night clothes. Linc looked like every woman’s fantasy.

Jess rubbed her eyes with the back of her arm. No more ogling. She couldn’t spend the night hours with him if she was lusting after him.

“How’s our girl?” he asked.

The kick in her heart when Linc called Applejack “our girl” was unmistakable. Why did her entire body warm when he loved the horses the way she did?

“She’s okay. No change. I’m hoping we’re being overly cautious.”

Linc put the pillows and blankets on top of her desk. “Better safe than sorry. I brought a few things in case we’re actually here all night. Pillows and blankets. I figure we’ll use the cots in the storage room.” He picked up a wad of clothes and handed them to her. “I stopped by Remi’s and got you some comfortable clothes.”

Jess’s eyes widened. “What did she say?”

Linc opened a brown paper bag and pulled out a pack of microwave popcorn. “Nothing. She knows you wouldn’t leave a sick horse. Don’t worry. I stopped by before I changed.”

Jess studied the clothes in her hands. She’d been dreading the sleepless night, but carrying her worry for Applejack didn’t seem so bad when Linc was doing everything to make her comfortable. “Thanks for all this.”

“No problem. I’m going to put the popcorn in the microwave and check on the other horses.”

As soon as he stepped out of the office, she darted for the door, locking it in one quick turn of her wrist. Pressing her back against the door, she took a few deep breaths.

She should go home. Spending more time with Linc was a bad idea. He could take care of Applejack. Well, even though they’d been at the ranch close to the same amount of time, she’d seen more colic than he had. Still, he could just call her if something went wrong.

But time was an illusion with colic. Things could go south in a hurry.

Deciding to stay and quit flip-flopping, Jess changed into the pants and long-sleeve shirt Remi had sent. They closed the barn doors at night, but it wasn’t much warmer than the night outside. She stuck her feet back into her boots and pulled her hair into a ponytail. She was ready for work with a side of comfy.

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