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Keeping my eyes tightly closed, I held perfectly still, not quite ready for it to end. The moment that he actually realized what he was doing, he’d let me go, I just knew it. A soft groan left his lips, and he scooted a little closer to me, pressing his entire frame up against my body.
My heart jumped and began pounding against my ribs so hard, I was worried it might wake him up.
And the tent flaps suddenly shot open.
“RISE AND SHINE YOU—” The young man’s voice stopped suddenly.
I shot away from the arms holding me, my eyes snapping open. Cassidy ran a lazy heel of his palm against his brows and blinked a sleep-filled gaze toward the entrance. “What the…?” Cassidy grumbled. I hesitantly glanced over my shoulder at our unexpected visitor.
“Why is it always me?” the red-headed boy whined, his shoulders slumping as he stared up at the roof of the tent.
“Keaton, what are you doing?” Cassidy asked. His voice was extra husky this morning, and my stomach did this little flip flop.
“Butch said Dad needed me to come wake you two up. Why am I always the one walking in on things that I shouldn’t see?” His freckled nose curled up as he closed his bright blue eyes. Curly, red hair that matched Cash’s. Cash had to be his father.
“Maybe you should’ve knocked,” Cassidy grumbled in an answer. I glanced his way as he sat up, and the blankets fell to his waist. I snapped my gaze away immediately. Feeling heat rising to my cheeks, matching the low fire deep within me, I tucked the blanket up to cover my cheeks and remained planted on the bed.
Good thoughts, Briar. Only good thoughts.
“Where? Uncle Cassidy, please tell me where to knock on a tent,” Keaton responded, annoyed, and rolled his head, cracking his neck. “And don’t tell me that nothing was going on. Uncle Weston already played that card, except I’m older now. I know things.”
I tightened my hold on the blankets.
“Nothing was going on,” Cassidy replied quickly.
“Oh, so you two weren’t cuddling?”
“She was cold last night. I don’t know if you remember—”
“Yeah, yeah. Next time, Butch can be the errand boy.” Keaton scowled and quickly let the tent flaps fall back down, his shadow fading away.
That had not just happened.
Wait…
I sat up and looked at Cassidy, who ran a veiny hand through his hair. My skin tingled as he blinked the hazy sleep from his beautiful, perfect eyes.
“Um, what did he mean by ‘always the one walking in on things’?” I asked. Cassidy shook his head, raising a brow, but simply stared ahead.
“Long story,” he mumbled lazily. “Now, close your eyes, or look away. I’m gonna put my pants on and go get your clothes for you.”
“Oh.” I quickly laid back down and turned away, facing the wall of the tent. Rustling sounded behind me, and the jingle of a belt and buckle danced through the air.
One teeny, tiny peek wouldn’t hurt, would it? I mean, there was no way he wasn’t as well built—
Hold. Up. No, I didn’t need to know what his legs looked like. I didn’t need another confirmation that this man was built with perfection. The tent flap danced open again, and this time a zipper sounded, signaling that I was left alone.
It didn’t bother me too much, but all the same, there had been a strange comfort being held by Cassidy.
I lay there in silence, unmoving as birds chirped around me. A couple of squirrels chattered, arguing with the chipmunks that scurried about. Some cattle bellowed, echoing around me, as faint voices began to fill the morning air.
Things felt light and bright, all the stress from the storm disappeared along with the rain. Some men chuckled, someone else laughed, and even some horses briefly nickered, wanting to join in with the lively conversation.
Then the tent zipper slid across its teeth, and the flaps bristled as someone entered.
Someone who had to be Cassidy. I hoped it was Cassidy.
“Got your stuff,” he said.
