Page 55 of Where She Belongs

“Well, they’ll be heartbroken when I leave.” There was very little conviction in it, and Tate must have noticed, because his shoulders straightened and he grew far more confident.

“That’s not going to happen.”

“What?” She laughed half-heartedly. “Are you suggesting these animals won’t get attached?”

“Oh, I’m not suggesting anything of the sort.” Tate dropped down to one knee and ran an affectionate hand over the miniature highland cow. “I’m saying you’re not going to leave.” There was a teasing lilt to his voice, but also something stronger beneath the surface. He wanted to believe his own words. She could hear it.

And that realization gave her hope.

Maybe it was silly, but she needed reassurances that staying was what she needed. But more than that, she wanted to know that her staying was something he might need just as much.

Rylee didn’t even bother biting back her smile. She liked seeing this side of Tate. The man who fought his own insecurities to show her how much she meant to him.

Her gaze flitted to the miniature pony who had found some alfalfa to munch on. “Okay, who’s who? I don’t want to be calling them by the wrong names.”

Tate’s smile lit up his whole face. It was utterly boyish and every bit the smile she remembered from her childhood. He patted the cow. “This is Mildred. And that over there is Betsy.”

“Let me guess, they were in danger of being sent to the glue factory?” She arched a brow.

With mock horror, Tate covered Mildred’s ears. “Shh! There are children present.”

She gaped at him then threw back her head and laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”

He rose to his feet and pulled her close with the hand not holding the leads. “And you’re adorable.” He tapped her nose then slipped his hand behind her head and kissed her thoroughly enough that her whole body heated from the contact. When he released her, she sucked in several breaths. Of course he was pleased with himself. Not only because he’d once again found a way to give her more animals to care for, but because of how he affected her.

“It’s a good thing the barn is finished,” Rylee said, glancing over at it. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t have anywhere to put them. You keep this up, and I’m not going to have enough room.”

“They don’t take up much space. In fact, these two are besties. They’ll probably want to stay in the same stall since they’re small enough.”

“Hmm. That’s not the point I was trying to make.”

Tate laughed. “Okay. How about this. I promise I won’t bring you anymore animals.”

She studied him, not believing for one second that he meant what he said.

“Until next month.”

Rylee threw her hands into the air. “That’s what I thought. What exactly do you think I need? I’ve got pullets, a cat, three goats, a cow, and a pony. I think I’m all tapped out.”

“You don’t have a partridge in a pear tree, yet.”

She snorted as she moved past him to head for the barn.

He hurried to catch up with her and fell into step at her side. “Okay, how about a lion, a tiger, or a bear?”

Cutting him a sidelong glance, she muttered, “I’m not going to say it.”

“Say what?”

“Oh my.” Then she grunted with irritation when she heard his chuckle. At that, she elbowed him in the side which only made him laugh more. “Very funny,” she muttered dryly.

“I thought so. But seriously. There’s actually something I should tell you about… next month.”

She stopped suddenly and he had to turn around and face her in order to meet her eye. “What about next month, Tate?”

He looked at the barn roof. “There’s sort of this potbellied pig that needs⁠—”

“Are you kidding me?”