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“But you just had wings!”
“That was a snack.” He gave her a crooked grin that left her aching all over again.
He gave her a small pat on the backside and then walked out of the kitchen. She heard the bathroom door close. She braced her palms on the counter to support herself through the aftershocks of that release.
A minute later, Hunter reappeared. He took one look at her face and a cocky grin spread over his.
“You look satisfied.”
“You look very satisfied with yourself.” Her sassy remark didn’t have as much impact when her voice sounded like she’d just screamed his name loud enough for everyone down at Badlands to hear.
He walked over to the French doors opening onto a patio where the grill was located. Through the glass, she studied him.
So manly. Considerate and helpful. Not at all like the jerk she thought he was at first.
She was so distracted that she didn’t notice that Meadow entered the kitchen until she tapped her on the shoulder and made her jump.
Meadow followed the direction of her gaze, and a knowing smile spread on her face. “I’ve never seen you like this with any guy, Ivy.”
Because she’d never felt this way about one.
Flustered, she hurried between the pantry and the fridge, pulling out items to make a pasta salad.
“Ooh, you’re making Mom’s favorite salad.” Meadow got out a cutting board for the vegetables they’d add to the summertime salad.
Ivy only nodded, her mind far away from the kitchen. Hell, the planet.
They stood, chopping in silence.
After a time, Ivy looked up at her sister. “What do you think of Hunter?”
Meadow looked toward the patio. Hunter was standing at the grill, talking to Colton, who’d joined him outside.
“I think he can’t keep his eyes off you.”
Ivy swung her head to look at her sister. “Really?”
“I know you’ve noticed.”
Biting her lip, she wandered to the stove and set a big pot of water to boil on the range. Suddenly, she blurted, “Do you think Forest sent him to me?”
Meadow gasped. “What makes you say that?”
“I just wondered.” She returned to the counter next to Meadow and started chopping onion.
“It’s possible Forest sent Hunter to you. I think he sent Colton to me…”
Ivy turned to her, tears burning in her eyes. Their gazes met in a look of understanding.
Only a moment passed, but the shared moment eased her soul.
Meadow leaned in and gave Ivy a sisterly squeeze. “Why don’t you keep chopping, and I’ll call the hospital and check on Daddy?”
Ivy nodded. While Meadow placed the call, she kept half an ear on what she was saying while prepping the salad ingredients. She still felt scattered from what she and Hunter had done right here in the kitchen only minutes before.
“That’s great news!”
Ivy looked at Meadow, trying to pick up the one-sided conversation. But she didn’t have to try for long because Meadow ended the call and spun to her, grinning.
