Southern Desire (Southern Heart 2)

The rest of the night is spent laughing and talking. Aaron continues with his small caresses, and he doesn’t seem the least bit fazed that his sister beams at him every damn time. I soak it up, memorizing every minute, every touch. I don’t know what this is, but if and when it ends, I’m going to need these memories.

I didn’t see Whitney all day yesterday. She claimed she was spending the day with Mike and Olivia and their parents. I know she moved here to be closer to them, and I’m glad she has them. It sucked for me because I had planned to take her riding. Instead, I spent the day riding the property and checking all the fences. I ended up sitting at my spot, the one where I want to build my house someday. It’s not far from my parents’ house on the property, just over a grassy knoll, enough distance to give me and my family privacy.

I ended up talking to Mom and Dad about it last night. They’re good with me starting whenever I decide to. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. I mean, come on, I’m not getting any younger and I still live with my parents. It would be nice to have my own place, somewhere Whit and I can hang out and not feel like teenagers sneaking around.

Whitney. I missed her yesterday. Not sure how it’s possible for someone to occupy your mind every second of the day, but she’s accomplished that. That’s what led me here. I’m sitting outside my sister’s studio with two cups of coffee. Kinley would never forgive me if I forgot about her; she is my baby sister after all.

“What are you doing here?” Kinley asks when she sees me.

I hold up the cups. “Thought you and Whit might need a pick-me-up to start your day.”

“Uh-huh, come on in, big brother.” She laughs. “So spill it. What’s going on?”

“With what?” I play dumb. Partly because I don’t really know how to explain it and partly because I know it drives her crazy.

“Aaron!” she scolds me in her mom voice.

“I don’t know, okay. There’s just something about her I can’t seem to shake.”

“She’s the one.”

“I-I don’t know.” I take a seat on the bench and rest my elbows on my knees. “I always thought that as soon as I met her, I would just know, you know?” I stand up, not able to sit still for this. “I thought it would kind of be like a bolt of lightning and it would just hit me. Whitney . . . is amazing. She’s not like any other girl I’ve ever spent time with.”

McKinley laughs. “You don’t spend time with them, Aaron. You take them to the bar, or leave the bar with them, and they’re few and far between.”

She’s right. “She’s different. I don’t know if she’s the one, but damn, do I like spending time with her.”

“You’re different around her.”

“How so?”

“Affectionate. Even with the girls you would date, and I say that term loosely, you were never affectionate. You can’t be near her without touching her.”

“I can’t seem to help myself where she’s concerned.”

“Morning,” Whitney says. She sees me and stops. “Aaron, hey. Is everything okay?”

She’s not used to me being here this early, and suddenly, yes, everything is more than okay now that I’ve set my eyes on her. It’s been over twenty-four hours and I’ve just realized that’s too damn long. “Yeah, just brought you all a coffee, thought you might need a Monday morning pick-me-up.”

“Thank you,” she says, setting her camera bag down.

“What’s your schedule like this week?”

“Umm, I don’t really know yet.” She looks at McKinley.

“A few shoots this week. The weekend is open.” She grins.

“I promised you I would take you riding.”

Her eyes light up. “You did,” she agrees.

McKinley is flipping through the schedule. “Can you go tomorrow, Aaron? Mom has the kids all day and there is nothing going on here unless we get a call, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. The rest of the week I need her.”

“You good with that, Whit?”

“Are you sure, McKinley?”

“Absolutely. You have all your edits caught up. I saw the e-mail you sent last night.”

“Okay, then what time do you want me?”

Now. All the time. “Let’s go out early and beat the heat. Nine? That will give me time to make my rounds in the barn.”

“You were done early today.” My sister points out.

“Yeah, I got an early start.”

“Great, thank you. I’m excited,” Whitney tells me.

It takes three long strides for me to be standing in front of her. “I’m looking forward to it.” I lean down, my face close to hers. “Have a good day,” I say, then kiss her quickly. It’s not enough, but I don’t want to embarrass her in front of my sister.

“You too.” Her voice is soft.

I tap her nose with my index finger. “See you ladies later.” I don’t bother looking at my sister.

“Bye,” she calls after me. “Girl, he has got it bad,” I hear McKinley say once I reach the door.

I smile. My sister knows me so well.

I hardly slept last night. I was too excited about today. I’ve always wanted to go horseback riding, but it’s not something I’ve ever done. I’m sure if I had told my aunt and uncle during one of my summer stays they would have taken me, but Olivia and I were too wrapped up in playing. Besides, it’s kind of fitting that Aaron be the one to take me. He is the one who is trying to introduce me to all things country.

My phone vibrates on the dresser. I see who’s calling and close my eyes. Dr. Anderson, Kathy Anderson, was my mom’s doctor from her initial diagnosis. They were the same age and hit it off, becoming close friends. She was a mess when Mom passed, blamed herself. She shouldn’t have; she fought like hell, trying dozens of different combinations of therapy, but unfortunately all were unsuccessful. I let her call go to voice mail. I know what she wants. Mom’s cancer started out in the breast. Even though I’m in my midtwenties, she insists that I have a mammogram and be tested. I know she’s right, but . . . I’m scared. I don’t want to face it. Especially now. I feel alive here in Kentucky. I want to hold on to that just a little bit longer.