Page 12

Wiping my hands on a towel, I walk out the door and up the hill toward the shed. As I approach, I see Taron is lying on his back on one of the flatbed trailers with his ball cap over his face. He’s still wearing those converse sneakers, and I just hope he knows they’ll be ruined if he wears them to work in the fields.

Without really thinking about it, I go to where he’s perched and playfully shove his crossed feet. “Better get some boots, City Slicker—oh! Oh no!”

Taron’s feet flop to the side, but they don’t stop there. His legs go off the back of the truck, and the rest of him follows, hitting the ground with a thud.

“Fuck!” His low voice is loud.

“Taron!” I run around the end of the trailer to where he’s lying on his side, shaking his head.

“What the hell?”

I drop to my knees, putting my hand on his shoulder. “I’m so sorry!”

“Did you just shove me off the flatbed?” Anger flashes in his wolf eyes, and I feel like shit.

“I didn’t! I—”

“I think you did.” He pushes up to a sitting position, shaking his head.

His face is all covered in dirt, and I want to die. “Here.” I hold out the towel still in my hands. “Let me wipe your face. Are you okay?”

He holds my arm and stands slowly, stretching to one side and wincing. “Shit… Feels like I cracked a rib.”

I clutch a hand to my mouth. “Taron. I’m so sorry.”

He cuts his eyes at me, and I think I might cry. As he studies me, the anger seems to melt. Something different takes its place, something devious.

“Now I owe you one.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “You don’t…”

“Oh, yes I do.” He lifts his shoulder and circles his arm, wincing again as he does it.

My heart beats faster. I’m a little nervous about what payback could be. “It was an accident…”

“You didn’t accidentally shove my feet off the flatbed.”

Stepping forward, I catch his arms. “I really didn’t know you’d fall—”

Our faces are close again, and I feel his breath against my cheek. My eyes drift up and his are cast down, meeting my gaze and sending heat flooding my panties.

It’s just like in the kitchen when he caught me. The air around us seems to crackle. His hands span my waist, and his arms are like bands of iron beneath my grip. I feel like peach sorbet melting in the sun under his gaze. My lips grow hot and heavy, and Oh, lord, I want him to kiss me so bad…

“Hey, what’s happening over here?” I recognize the tenor voice at once and step back, away from the inferno that is Taron Rhodes holding me in his arms.

“Digger?” I shake myself, pushing a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “Are you looking for Sawyer?”

I walk around the flatbed, and I feel Taron watching me as I go. I’ve felt him watching me all day, and it tingles in my lower belly.

“Hey, Noel.” Digger Hayes steps forward to give me a brief hug. He always wants to kiss my cheek, but I dodge just in time.

Taron’s deep voice interrupts his greeting. “Sawyer had to drive into town to pick up some crates.”

Digger’s eyes narrow as he inspects Taron. “I don’t think we’ve met.”

“We haven’t.” Taron steps forward, extending a hand. “Taron Rhodes. I’m here for the harvest.”

“Ah.” Digger’s eyebrows rise, and I see him visibly relax. “You must be Sawyer’s military friend.”