Page 39 of Thaw My Heart

What she did is unacceptable.

And it will never happen again.

“I’m s-sorry,” she murmurs as I hop in the saddle behind her, grabbing Sugar’s reins to trail behind us.

“We’ll talk when we’re back,” I bark, pulling her against me to keep her warm. A ragged breath rolls out of her, but she stays silent for the rest of the ride back, curling her small frozen body into mine.

An hour later, I’m still shivering with the violent cold in my bones. Lying on my couch with a thick, fuzzy blanket over me.

Pine River is the coldest water I’ve ever experienced, the kind of cold that hurts your teeth, gives you a headache, and feels like sharp bites against your skin.

Kit brings me a hot cup of peppermint tea, the heat instantly warming my aching, frozen fingers. Relief rushes through me. Fox lies on my feet, keeping my toes warm, staring at me with worried eyes. The steam wafting from the cup feels euphoric until I meet Kit’s eyes. His rigid and icy gaze pins me down, pulling the warmth out of me. My body sinks deeper into the leather couch while the crackle of the fireplace fills the deafening silence between us.

“You’re mad at me,” I murmur.

“I’m fucking furious at you, Sadie,” his blue eyes flare. A white long-sleeved Henley clings to his muscular torso, with sleeves rolled up to his elbows, distracting me. His navy Carhartt currently hangs near the fireplace. “Why can’t you just listen to me?”

“Would you have let the calf drown?” I argue.

He stares at me like he wants to set me on fire. “Yes.”

His answer stuns me. How could he be okay with letting an animal drown? “But⁠—”

“Nothing is worth the life of a rancher,” he cuts me off. Sighing as he runs a hand over his face. I struggle to find the words to argue with him, staring at his abs clearly visible through his shirt. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“I—I wasn’t,” I place the teacup on the side table. “I just couldn’t stand watching that poor baby drown.” And that’s the truth. Watching the calf struggling to keep its head above water reminded me too much of how I lost the person I loved the most—my mother.

Plus, I would do anything to save an animal. There’s no way I could have just stood by without trying.

“You put us both at risk today, Sadie.”

I lower my gaze, knowing he’s right. “I’m sorry.”

“I'm sorry, is not good enough,” he snaps, and I flinch at his tone. “You could have fucking died! I almost didn’t find you in time.”

“But you did,” I reach for him, grabbing his hand. “You saved me, and⁠—”

He stands from the couch, pulling his calloused hand away. “I need to report this.”

“What?” My face drains of blood, feeling cold. “What do you mean?”

“This can’t happen again⁠—”

“And it won’t,” I assure him.

He stares at me, cold and calculating. “I’m a Foreman, Sadie. It’s a part of my job to keep people safe on the ranch, and your reckless actions today when I clearly told you to stay⁠—”

“Please, Kit,” I beg. Reporting me to Cole could ruin my job here.

It could destroy everything I’m trying to build in Aspen Hollow.

Safety must be really important to you, Cowboy.

Turns out it is.

He removes his Lone Pine ballcap, pacing around the room. “Animals die here all the time, and no, I’m never okay with it. But we don’t put each other at risk like that.”

All I can think to say is I’m sorry while my heart pounds in my chest, because he’s right… I put him at risk, and I’m sorry just isn’t good enough.