Page 14 of If It's You

He was dripping in sweat before he’d even made it a mile. He was in a different field now, the one they’d driven by while hunting raccoons last night. A large wooden barn loomed in the corner of the field, a relic from the past. He’d noticed it the night before but now it piqued his curiosity. It looked like the barns in the old western movies his dad used to watch. He jogged toward it with a newfound purpose.

The sound of sprinklers was replaced by music the closer he got to the old barn. He hesitated just outside the door, then walked around the structure, looking for a way to see in before making himself known. He knelt down and looked through a slit in the old wood boards.

The music grew even louder as the girl inside threw her body in ways he’d never seen before. She had traded in her work jeans for yoga pants and a tank top, and she was someone else completely.

She climbed the haystacks then flipped off and spun in the center of the barn. She was graceful in every movement, her body soaring through the air so effortlessly, she looked like she was flying. This girl was vulnerable and breathtaking. The music changed, and she transformed into a different dancer. Christian settled back on his heels—he had never seen dancing like this. It was elegant and beautiful but also soulful and raw.

He was in awe watching her. He hadn’t even realized the music had stopped until Maizie was almost at the door. He whirled back and threw himself up against the side wall with a thud.

“Who’s there?” Maizie hollered.

He tried to scramble up, run, and hide before he was caught like some sort of Peeping Tom, but the door flung open.

“What are you doing here?” The vulnerable dancing girl was gone, replaced with the walled-up girl he’d met only yesterday.

“Sorry. I, uh, was out for a run, and I heard your music.”

“So you thought you’d spy on me.”

“No, I, uh . . . ” he was at a loss. That was totally what he’d been doing.

“Why are you here?”

“I just told you.” He straightened his shoulders.

“No. Why are youhere? On my farm?” She was easier to deal with when she was being the stubborn girl who pushed his buttons again.

“I thought your father owned this farm.”

Maizie rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you just go back to where you came from?”

“I don’t feel like it.”

“Ugh. You are so annoying.” Maizie stomped away.

“Have you ever considered that maybe you’re the annoying one?” He caught up to her in a few easy strides.

She turned to face him, and Christian was aware of how small she was. Sure she could pick up a baby calf, but compared to his six-foot-two frame, she looked tiny.

“I have an idea. How about you leave me alone for the rest of the summer, k?” She stared up at him.

He took a step closer. “Now, why would you want me to do that when you seem to enjoy making me miserable?”

Her face flushed, and she squared her shoulders. “You’re right, I do owe you an apology.” She brushed her hair out of her face and gave him a sincere smile. “I’m sorry I dropped a post on your ego. It seemed like it needed to be taken down a few notches.”

He couldn’t help it. He laughed. Gosh, when was the last time he’d laughed like that? “Oh, don’t worry about my ego. It will take a lot more than a fence post to do me in.”

Her nose scrunched up, and it was rather adorable. “Fine. You want a truce? I’ll ignore you, you ignore me.”

“Hmm.” He pretended to consider it. “You know, I’d give it a shot, but you’re kind of hard to ignore.” Her cheeks tinged pink, and Christian smirked. “You’re just so dang irritating.”

“So you’re just going to be rude to me all summer?”

“You started it.”

Was that childish? Absolutely.

Did he care? Not a bit.