Page 22 of Timber's Line

“Oh, awesome.”

“And you’re going to be a veterinarian?”

“I am. I’m a vet tech already but decided to go back to school.”

“Do you ride?” He means horses.

“I do. Have you ever been on a horse?”

“Only once. I hope to get a chance while I’m here.” He smiles at me. He’s cute but not really my type. I don’t think I’m his either. He seems too buttoned-up for my liking, and I’m not skinny enough to be on his arm. Maybe I’m being too hard on myself, but I think I’m spot on this time.

“Thank you for breakfast.”

“I cooked all of it. Shane tried to help, but I wanted to do it myself.”

“Wow, you’re really good.”

“Thank you. Until next time, Timber.”

“Cut.”

He doesn’t say anything as he walks off, which kind of unnerves me.

“You have an hour before the next date,” Sal calls out to me. I head to the one spot I know I can find air—the loft.

I practically run up the ladder, trying to get to the quiet. Once I sit and stare out the window, watching the horses in the pasture, everything quiets.

“Wasn’t your type.” Not a question, a statement.

“What would you know about my type?” I ask Dayton.

“I don’t think anyone really has a type. We just want to be loved,” he says sadly.

“I’m sorry,” I start, but he holds a finger to my mouth.

And I stop.

“Please don’t. You’re the only one who doesn’t look at me as if I’ve lost my mind or I’ll break.”

“You’re not broken, just lost.” I take a step closer to him. I want to feel him.

“Just lost,” he mumbles.

When I’m close enough, I take his hand and caress my cheek with it. His eyes flicker with a mix of emotions.

I don’t even have time to react when he kisses me.

I kiss him back with as much emotion as he’s giving me. I don’t know what this means, though.

He breaks away. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

He leaves quickly. What just happened?

CHAPTERTWELVE

DAYTON

“Cabin four, Dayton.”