“I think he’s being a nice guy. Getting to know you. Letting you get used to him, and all that boring shit.”

“Probably. Did you watch Dancing with the Stars last night?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Of course. I’m so glad they brought Max back this season. That man melts my panties off.”

Suddenly call waiting is beeping in my ear. When I pull the phone away, it’s Josh’s name on the caller ID.

“Jill, I’ll call you later. Josh is on the other line.”

“I want all the details!”

“Good-bye, Jilly.” I chuckle as I switch over. “Hello?”

“Hey.” His low voice sends shivers through me and I immediately set my popcorn aside while wiping my hands on my jeans.

“Hey, what’s up?” My voice sounds a bit too high even to my own ears and I wince.

“What are you doing?”

“I was chatting with Jill.”

“Do you want me to let you go?” I hear him shifting in the background and I wonder if he’s lying down.

“No, I hung up with her. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, I was just thinking about you.” I pull the phone away from my ear and frown down at it. This is the first time he’s called me just to chat.

“What were you thinking?” I ask, genuinely curious.

“That I wish you were here with me. Is it weird that I miss you and I just saw you four hours ago?”

No, it’s not weird because I feel exactly the same way! “I always knew you were weird,” I respond playfully, and am rewarded with his deep chuckle. My panties dampen as I picture that sexy dimple in his cheek, but then I grow quiet.

“Okay, you’re quiet. What are you thinking?”

“Well, it’s weird. You miss me, but I haven’t heard from you much the last few days.”

He sighs deeply. “I had a few foals born over the weekend. One didn’t make it. A portion of the fence line on the far side of the ranch went down, I have no idea how, and a few head of cattle got out. Had to round them up. It was a shitty weekend.”

“I’m sorry about the foal,” I murmur, and close my eyes.

“It happens. Seth took it hard.”

“He didn’t mention anything about it today.” I pop a kernel of popcorn in my mouth and munch thoughtfully. “What are you up to? Before you called me, that is.”

“I was reading, gonna call it a night. Wanted to hear your voice.” The last sentence is whispered and I’ve never been more tempted to jump in my car and race over to a man’s place.

“It’s kind of early to go to bed.” I glance at the clock and am surprised to see it’s only eight thirty.

“I have to get up at five to feed the horses and meet with my guys before the day gets started.”

I settle in deeper against the cushions of my couch, enjoying the deep timbre of his voice. “That’s right, you’re a morning person.”

“It’s habit now,” he agrees with a chuckle. “Are you a night person?”

“Depends on my mood, I guess.” The back screen door slams against the house again and I walk through the house to secure it. “It’s windy tonight.”

“Are you okay?” I hear the concern in his voice and I grin.

“Yeah, the screen door keeps coming unlatched from the wind.”

“Do you need me to come in to town to help you out?”

I’m so, so tempted to say yes, just so I can see him, but it’s only a silly storm.

“I’m fine, Josh, but thanks for the offer. I’ll probably head to bed soon too.”

Silence.

“Josh?”

“I’m here.” His voice is soft and the line is still.

“What’s wrong?” I whisper.

“The thought of you in a bed conjures all kinds of images, and you’re a good fifteen minutes away from me right now.”

I laugh and shake my head, but my nipples have puckered at his words and my toes curl. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I want to see you this weekend, just you and me.”

“Like on a date?” I lean my head back against the couch, biting my lower lip.

“Yes, on a date. I want to take you to dinner, in public. Take a walk. Go to the movies. You know, a date. What do you say?”

“Is this a good idea?” I ask softly, and close my eyes, wishing with all my might that it were a good idea.

“It’s just dinner, Carolina. Stop overthinking it.”

“We both know it’s not going to end at dinner.”

“Fuck, I hope not,” he agrees with a smile in his voice.

“It’s a date.”

* * *

I’m jolted awake by what sounds like warfare. The house is trembling as though I’m under fire, pounding and groaning, splintering wood. It’s pitch-dark, and snow is falling inside my room, but it hurts when it hits my skin. My heart is beating so hard I swear it’s going to come out of my chest, and I can hardly breathe.

I sit straight up and, to my horror, see my ceiling falling apart above me. Water is spilling inside, along with what looks like snow, but I quickly realize it is insulation from the roof.

Holy fuck!

My lungs are screaming in pain from inhaling the sharp shards of fiberglass, and then I don’t feel anything at all as adrenaline kicks in.

I have to get out of here!