Page 59 of Thaw My Heart

Sadie:

Ouch, B. My pool skills are wounded.

I’m terrible at playing pool, but it has become a part of our routine. A round of drinks and a few games of pool at Elkhorn Tavern. The extent of our relationship. But it’s comfortable, and I’m thankful that Blake doesn’t push it.

Five minutes before the clock strikes five, I find myself at Cole’s front door, wearing a flowy western dress. Cute and not too revealing for an evening at Harlow Mansion with thick waves of hair falling over my shoulders. My palms are sweaty by the time Annie answers the door, brightly smiling at me with rosy cheeks.

She pulls me in for a hug, smelling of fresh flowers. After a long and hard day on the ranch, this embrace feels even sweeter. It feels right. “We’re so glad you could make it,” she croons into my hair.

There’s that word again. We. “I wouldn’t miss an opportunity like this,” I say nervously.

Annie leads me through the house and into the dining room, lit with a grand chandelier. I’m biting into my bottom lip so hard I’m surprised it isn’t bleeding, staining my western dress. But when I enter the lavish space, it’s only Cole sitting at the long wooden table. Relief flushes through me, as well as a small wave of disappointment that Kit’s not here, at least so he could apologize for being so rude to me.

Yeah, that’s why you want him here, Sadie.

Even my own thoughts betray me.

“Well, there she is,” Cole smiles. “Have a seat anywhere you like.”

Candles flicker on the table, with a feast laid out before me as I pull out a chair. Very intimate for a family dinner.

“Um, is this okay?” I gesture to the chair next to Cole, not sure where it’s appropriate for me to sit.

“I was hoping you’d sit there,” he smiles.

I smile and sit next to him. “This looks amazing.” However, I’m still not quite sure why I’m here. Do they invite all their employees to family meals?

There’s an extra plate next to mine, but I’m not sure who it’s for. Blake knew nothing about this, so it can’t be for him.

“Annie’s a wonderful cook,” Cole replies. “Shall we pray?”

Before I grab his hand, Kit walks in, stopping dead in his tracks when he sees me.

I stand quickly in reaction, chair grating on the floor. Breathless from the way he looks in a flannel and jeans, like it’s made for him. He stares at me, taking me in with a softness that I’ve missed, but then his eyes narrow and he sighs, glaring at Cole.

Guess he wasn’t expecting me.

“Sorry, I’m late,” he mutters, walking to the opposite side of the table.

“Not there,” Cole quips. “There,” he gestures to the seat next to mine. “Next to Sadie.”

With a loud grunt, he heads towards me. Clearly, not happy about it. But I’m surprised he didn’t just turn and leave at the sight of me. This is the most he’s been in my presence in days.

“Let’s pray,” Cole smiles after Kit settles in. He grabs Annie’s hand, reaching for mine.

I take it with an awkward smile.

“Kit?” Cole arches a brow at him, asking him with his eyes to take my hand.

Even I’m sweating at this point.

Another agitated sigh, and he holds out his hand for mine, resting it on the table, palm up.

Well, I’ve come this far.

I slide my hand into his rough one, and his fingers close around mine, gently holding me. It feels much better than it should. If only he had six fingers or slimy hands, but no, he had to have these big, calloused hands that perfectly melded in mine.

Stupid.