Southern Desire (Southern Heart 2)

He chuckles, draping his arm over my shoulders, pulling me to him. Instinctively my hand reaches out and rests on his chest. “I’m sorry. I should have stayed with you, but you did it.”

“You owe me one.”

Again, he laughs. “How do you figure?”

“You made me do it. Now you have to do something with me.”

“If it will make you feel better, fine. I’ll be a good sport.” He smirks.

“You all about ready to head out? We need to pick up Walker and get Lex to bed,” McKinley calls over to us.

Aaron hops to his feet and again offers me his hand. I allow him to help pull me up, but drop his hand immediately. McKinley meets us at the end of the dock with towels.

“I put your clothes on the tailgate and went ahead and folded up the blanket.”

“I’m sorry, you shouldn’t have to pick up after me.” I’m embarrassed; this is my boss, after all.

She waves me off. “I was just trying to help.”

I dress quickly and take my spot in the passenger seat. Now that I’m out of the water, I can’t keep the smile from my face. It felt good to hang out and just . . . live. I’m not a fan of swimming with fish, but hey, maybe it will grow on me.

Today’s the day that we see what Midnight Rain can do in the show ring. Joe has been working hard and has accomplished more than I had hoped in such a small amount of time. He drove up yesterday with Midnight; he said it would be better for him to spend some time in the stables and get acclimated before having to perform. He’s the trainer, so I trusted his judgment. I’m loading up some extra hay and feed, the show saddle, and then I’m heading out too. Evan said he wasn’t sure if he would make it. They don’t want to take Walker to a show yet, being so young, and I get that. I told him not to worry about it. This will be the first of many, I’m sure.

I finish off my cereal milk, rinse the bowl, and place it in the dishwasher. Mom has drilled that in my head over the years. Grabbing my keys and phone, I’m out the door. It’s a cool morning, but that’s just a tease for the humid high eighties it will be today. I’m used to the heat, but today I’ll get a reprieve, as the show arena and stables are air-conditioned.

Just as I hit the bottom step, I see Whitney coming around the garage. “Morning,” I call out to her.

She stops and waves. “Morning.”

I need to get going, but I find myself walking toward her instead of the barn. “Early morning shoot?”

“Yes. Well, no, not anymore. I was supposed to do an engagement shoot at sunrise, as that’s when he asked her, but he got called in to work, so they had to cancel.”

“Up at the ass crack of dawn for nothing, huh?”

She laughs. “It’s not a big deal. I was looking forward to it, though.”

“That leaves you today to do whatever you want.”

“Laundry and hanging out at the house. Olivia worked last night and she works again tonight. I’ll just read and keep the house as quiet as possible so she can sleep. Maybe, I’ll stop by the bar tonight to keep her and Mike company.”

For some reason, it bothers me that she’s going to spend the day alone. “Come with me. I would love for you to get some shots of Midnight’s first show.” The words are out of my mouth before I have time to think about them.

“Midnight? Where are you going exactly?”

“Midnight Rain. Today is her first show. Joe, my trainer, is already there with her. It would be great to document it. This one is going to be a prize winner, I can feel it.”

“I’ll be fine, Aaron. You don’t have to offer to let me tag along. I’m a big girl.”

“I’m well aware of that.” I let my eyes sweep over her. “I honestly would really like you to take pictures. Usually McKinley does it, but they’re not even coming today. It’s just me. Joe and Marty went up yesterday. You would be doing me a favor, keeping me company on the drive and during the show, as well as taking pictures. Come on, it’s better than sitting at home trying to be quiet doing laundry. It will be another new experience for you.”

“You’re racking them up, huh?” She laughs. “Don’t think I have forgotten that you owe me from the lake either.”

“Pond,” I correct her.

“Pond, lake, whatever. You still owe me.”

“I know, and I’m ready to let you collect whenever you’re ready. Today, you’re coming with me. You already have your camera and everything.” I point to the bag on her shoulder.

She looks down at her shorts, tank top, and flip-flops. “Am I even dressed appropriately?” she asks.

Not one to pass up the chance to ogle a beautiful woman, I sweep my eyes over her body again, for the second time in a matter of minutes. This time, I roam slowly, taking in every gorgeous inch of her. “You’re perfect.” She is. The flip-flops will have to go, but I don’t tell her that. We’ll stop on the way in and buy her a pair of cowboy boots. I can guarantee she doesn’t have a pair. She won’t be able to back out once I have her in my truck and we’re on our way.

“Aaron, are you sure?”

I pause. I’m used to girls jumping at any offer just to try to get their claws in me. She’s not like the rest of them, which is all the more reason to let her tag along today. Besides, she’s new in town and shouldn’t spend all day Saturday by herself. “Positive. What do you say, Whit, you willing to spend the day with me?” Her eyes widen and I’m not sure if it’s the fact that I shortened her name or that I asked her to spend the day with me. I should have said spend the day taking pictures of my horse, but nope, I call a spade a spade, and she’s spending the day with me, and even though it shocks the hell out of me, I’m excited about it.

“Okay.”

My lips tip in a slow grin. Today is going to be better than I thought. “Have you eaten breakfast?”

“Yes?” she says cautiously, like I’ve lost my damn mind. Maybe I have.

“Good. I just need to load up the truck, and we can head out. You got everything you need?” She pats the camera bag hanging off her shoulder and smiles. Reaching over, I grab the bag. She tries to stop me, but I give her a look that has her letting go of the strap and allowing me to take it for her.