Page 49 of A Reckless Memory

No. “There are no baked beans if that’s what you’re looking for.”

He closed the door. “You like potatoes with your steak. Got any?” He peered over the counters and went to the fridge.

“Snoop.”

His chuckle was deep and went right down to my bare toes. I should throw pants on, but I liked the light atmosphere. Afraid anything I did would change it, I kept cooking.

While I busied myself with the steak, he found a couple of potatoes and tossed a bag of frozen peas into the microwave. Side by side, we worked at the stove.

“How’s Barns?” he asked softly. “For real?”

The damn tears were back. I hated crying. I wasn’t a pretty crier. My face turned red, my mouth looked like I had a run-in with a lip-filler scam, and I sounded like a moose on fire. But one salty tear escaped and rolled down my cheek.

“Hey, shit.” He brushed a finger over my face to capture the wayward tear.

His gentle touch was like getting permission to let go. I couldn’t stop the stream.

“Hey, hey.” He pulled me into his arms until my face was tucked into his hard chest. “I’m sorry, Aggie baby.”

Stupid nickname that I missed more than my next breath. “I should’ve gone back. I should’ve gone home.”

He stroked my hair. “Trust that you had your reasons to stay away.” His soothing touch helped stem the flow of tears. “You can’t go back and make decisions for yourself with the information you have now. We all think we can, but we can’t.”

I inhaled a shuddering breath. “How’d you get so wise?”

“I’ve had a lot of time to think lately.” He released one arm from around me, flipped the steaks, and moved the potatoes around.

Taking care of me and the meal. He was too good to be true. Always had been. Eliot’s warning rang loud in my ears, but I pushed it away. I’d rather have the comfort.

I sniffled and pulled away. My tears made wet spots on his shirt. I brushed at them. “Sorry.”

“Not the first time I’ve had your body fluids on me.”

“Gross.” I laughed and wiped my eyes, focusing on my steak.

“Trust me—it’s anything but gross.”

The wicked grin returned, and laugh lines in his dark scruff were an invitation I had to refuse. I had to get my mind away from riding his knee. After my tears, thinking about the way he could make me feel versus the sadness I’d brought home with me was too much of an allure. “Is there a reason why Dr. Jake is blowing up my phone since he treated Downy?”

Ansen took his pan off the stove and set it on a hot pad. “How exactly is he blowing up your phone?”

Hating how much I liked the hint of envy in his voice, I dug out my phone. “He could use some help to rehome an abused pinto, a Mangalitsa pig that was found on the side of the road, and a donkey needs a home after it recovers from getting hit by a tractor and has a bad case of laminitis. Either he saved them all up, or...”

Ansen propped one hand on the counter. He’d rolled his sleeves up to cook and those forearms... A lock of hair fell over his forehead, and my fingers itched to run through the strands. “He wasn’t sure about you. Thought you might not be the real thing and he was hesitant to direct rescues your way. He asked me, but I said you’re the boss and you’re the real thing.”

“That asshole.” I couldn’t blame Dr. Jake for being cautious, but to talk to Ansen instead?

“Yup. Just remember that next time he smiles at you real nice and his eyes twinkle.”

I felt nothing when Dr. Jake looked at me. I burned alive when Ansen looked at me. “He’s a flirt.”

“He wants to fuck you.”

My cheeks warmed. I pulled my pan off the stove. The savory scent of seasoned steak filled the kitchen, and my stomach rumbled. “I’m not interested in getting fucked by the vet.”

He folded his arms. His biceps bulged—through flannel. Wasn’t fair how easily he was so hot. “Who are you interested in getting fucked by?”

Fire swept across my face. I’d walked into that one, but there was a serious question buried under his teasing tone, and I wasn’t about to tackle the answer. “I’m about to fuck this meat up. Get a couple plates.”

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