Page 53 of Back in the Saddle

This would be much easier to deal with if only he didn’t feel this magnetic pull to her. Whenever they were together, he felt a strange urge to touch her waist, to caress her cheek, to slide his finger across her neck. It was distracting, really. No one had ever made him feel this way.

Why did it have to be her? Why couldn’t it be some nice girl who was fully single, uncomplicated, and easy to read? Of course, Caroline didn’t even fall under the ‘girl’ category, either. She was a woman, in every sense of the word. It wasn’t just her looks. It was everything about her.

He liked hearing her opinions on movies and books. It turned out neither of them could resist a good historical fiction.

He liked the way her whole face lit up whenever she spoke about medicine and science.

He just liked her, period.

‘Earth to Hunter. We need to get off at the next exit unless you want to go all the way to Tulsa.’ Meg’s voice snapped him out of the trance.

He hit the indicator and turned to join the busier traffic heading into the city. Pulling the car in front of an apartment building, Hunter turned the engine off. ‘What time do you want me to pick you up?’

‘Why?’ Meg looked at him suspiciously as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

‘How else are you going to get home?’ Hunter shrugged as if it was obvious.

Confusion flooded her face as she responded, rummaging through her handbag. ‘Surely you won’t be driving around for hours to kill time?’

‘There are other ways to do that.’ He smirked as her face lit up in a shocked but happy smile.

‘Oh, you’re going to seeher? Tell me who she is!’

‘Meg. Go have fun. I’ll be around, OK? Just text me when you want to go back.’

She nodded happily and hurriedly got out of the car. As she was closing the door, he shouted after her, ‘Two at the latest!’

She just waved, not turning back to look at him.

Hunter watched her press a buzzer and go inside the building. He shook his head but smiled to himself. When they were told about his father’s cancer coming back, he was worried it’d weigh so heavy on Meg that she’d miss out on enjoying the college experience. He knew she was upset – hell, they all were. But he was glad she was able to still do typical freshman things.

He sat in silence for a moment, musing over his father’s condition and what now seemed inevitable. Finally, he sighed and unlocked his phone. There was an unread message from Caroline in their conversation.

CAROLINE:What are you doing tonight? I know it’s kind of late to ask but if you didn’t have any plans, maybe we could meet later? I can borrow Anna’s car and come to you.

HUNTER:Well, what do you know? I’m in the city and would love to see you. Are you doing anything right now?

She replied almost immediately, which brought a smile to his face.

CAROLINE:I’ve just finished helping Gian bake atrial pumpkin pie before rolling it in the bakery. OK, I mostly helped by tasting it. I was planning to finish reading a book, maybe catch up with my sister if she was available. That’s about the extent of my plans. If you can top it with something more interesting, I’m all ears.

HUNTER:No offence to your book and sister but I’m confident I can top it, even just with my company. Pick you up in 15?

CAROLINE:Feeling confident. See you then, cowboy ;)

The bell chimed as Hunter pushed a creaky pink door, holding it open for Caroline. She brushed past him, casually skimming the side of his shirt. A simple gesture that got his throat bobbing with a hard swallow.

‘A diner?’ Caroline looked at him, amused, as they sat down opposite each other in one of the booths. She touched the worn-out pink leather seat and looked around with wonder. ‘What happened to the promise of snails?’

He laughed. ‘That can still be arranged, don’t worry.’

‘I always worry.’ It sounded like a light-hearted joke, but he saw the truth to it in her eyes.

‘Well, when it comes to me taking you out for food, don’t. I know good spots.’

‘I’m starting to see that.’

‘Have you been to a proper diner before?’