"Me, too,” she says, and I throw my head back and laugh, pretty sure that she would have said anything was her favorite.
"Let’s go," I tell the horse.
"Caramel, take me home,” she says and mimics my kick on the side.
"You really are a natural." I kiss the top of her head as she leads us back to the barn.
Pulling up, I see her right away. She stands there with a basket over her arm as she talks to my grandfather, and he eats whatever is in the basket. She looks over and puts her hand over her eyes to see us without the sun blinding her.
"There they are," I hear my grandfather tell her. “Thank you for the scone."
"It’s my pleasure,” she says and looks back at us. “Why are you not wearing a shirt?" she asks when I get closer to her. The sound of my grandfather’s laughter fills the air.
"He’s trying to be your Romeo." He winks at Hazel, and she rolls her lips as he walks away now.
"Momma, I rode Caramel," Sofia says. “Fast fast."
"Did you?" Hazel says, and I get down from the horse and then reach for Sofia as she leans to me. "Was it fun?" Sofia shakes her head, and I see my grandfather opening the fence.
"Let’s go get her some water," my grandfather says, holding out his hand for Sofia and then the other hand for the reins.
Grabbing my shirt, I put it over my shoulder as I walk closer to her. I can tell that she has mischief all over her face, and when she opens her mouth, I know why. “What’s up, Romeo?”
Chapter 24
Hazel
“What’s up, Romeo?” I joke with him and throw my head back when he groans out.
“It was hot out there,” he says, and I look at him with his shirt off. He’s definitely filled out since the last time. A scar on the lower right side of his stomach has my eyes lingering there. My fingers itch to touch it.
"Momma." I hear my name being called and turn to see Sofia running out of the barn. Her overalls are dusty, and her Rubber boots are wet. “I gave Caramel water,” she says, and the smile on her face makes her eyes a light brown almost green. "Now Grandpa Billy says I can feed her," she tells me and then turns to run back into the barn.
"I don’t think she’s been this excited in her whole life,” I say, turning now and seeing that Reed is standing really close to me. I can smell his musky woodsy smell. “Today was good?" I ask, pretending that standing this close to him does nothing for me. Meanwhile, I want to lean into him and slide my tongue into his mouth.
"It was great,” he says, looking at me and then the barn where Sofia just ran into. “It’s crazy how it’s so natural with us."
I smile at him. “I don’t think I’ve seen her this happy."
"Did you get all your errands done?" he asks, and I nod.
"I did, and then I saw your aunts and Amelia and Chelsea." I leave out the conversation I had with Savannah.
"What’s in the basket?" His eyes glimmer just like Sofia’s, the smirk on his face making him dangerous.
All the words leave my head as I watch him stick out his tongue and lick his lower lip. "Um," I say, clearing my throat and blinking my eyes to get myself out of the daze. “I made some blueberry scones, and then I had some orange and cranberry, so I made those scones also."
"Ohh,” he says, his hands going for my basket.
"Don’t you dare touch my scones with your dirty hands, Mr. Romeo,” I say, laughing and then see his eyes turn a darker brown.
"If I can’t touch your scones with my dirty hands," he says and steps closer to me. “What can I touch?" It’s my turn to stick my tongue out of my mouth and lick my lips. My stomach tightens, shooting sensations all the way down to my toes.
"Momma," Sofia says, running back to me. “I’m done." Reed takes a step back now. “Can we go eat?"
"Sure,” I say, holding out my hand and then handing Reed the basket. “Those are for you."
"For me?" he asks, shocked.
"It’s the least I could do for helping today,” I say, and he smiles.
"Hopefully, we can do it again." He looks at me, and I just nod.
"Let’s get you home and in the bath." I swing our hands. “Say thank you."
"Thank you, Uncle Reed,” she says, pulling from my hand and walking to him to wrap her little arms around his waist. "It was the bestest day ever."
He blinks away the tears in his eyes, squatting down in front of her when she lets him go. “It was my bestest day ever." He taps her nose with his finger. “I’ll see you later." He gets up when she turns and runs to me.