Page 28 of Unyielding (Poplar Springs #3)

TWENTY-EIGHT

SHANNON

T he new computer program Declan had suggested was doing exactly what it was supposed to do.

Sure, I’d had a few stumbles as I figured out how to merge various paper forms and Excel spreadsheets I’d been using, but now that everything was imported and I’d installed the app on my phone, I felt like I could barely remember how I’d lived without it.

I still couldn’t believe that my entire operation, from client profiles to medical records to billing, was all consolidated in one spot.

Declan had streamlined my business with a few keystrokes, and once I saw how easy it was, I kicked myself for putting it off for so long.

There was no way I was going to tell Josh that he was right. At least not yet.

My thoughts returned to Declan and I frowned.

I felt bad about the way I’d gone off on him the night before, but he’d made me a promise, then broken it.

With Becca of all people. It felt like the competition between us was getting worse, and I didn’t like it one bit.

Why did it have to matter? We raised different types of horses.

Her program was a full-blown operation that was all about the tech while I was getting used to using a tracking app.

We shouldn’t have been in competition, but she seemed determined to view us as rivals.

And now, it looked like Becca was chasing after Declan as well.

A part of me wondered if she somehow knew that we were going out, and if that was the real reason why she’d called him with that manufactured emergency.

I leaned against the barn and scrolled through the app, checking on a mare’s ovulation cycle, absentmindedly petting a barn cat that had perched on the fence beside me.

It was the end of the day, but I still had more client management to take care of and I was sort of enjoying the ease of using my phone.

“Hey, cowgirl.”

I turned and saw Declan striding toward me carrying a picnic basket and a bunch of sunflowers with his dog, Ford, trotting along beside him. The cat shot down the post and disappeared into the barn.

“Oh, hey there. You brought your dog.”

I was happy to have something to focus on besides how damn good he looked.

The setting sun put a backlight on him, and he was glowing like he was lit for a movie scene.

And his smile was hovering between sweet and sexy.

All I wanted to do was run over to him and jump in his arms, until I thought about what had happened the night before.

I was jealous and a little hurt, and I still couldn’t get past it.

Ford jumped in happy circles around me, wagging a hello. I leaned down to pet him as he licked my hand.

“Look at you. I wish I had a treat on me,” I said, trying not to look at Declan.

“As much as he’ll disagree, he’ll survive without any treats,” he said. I could feel him staring.

“What’s all this?” I asked, gesturing to the picnic basket and flowers.

“I’m making up for last night, as promised. A dinner feast for the hardworking cowgirl.” He handed me the flowers. “And some sunshine, pun intended.”

“Thank you.” My smile finally broke free as I took them.

“And I wanted to say a few things.” He watched Ford trot off in the direction the cat had run with his nose pressed to the ground.

“First, I’m really sorry about what happened last night.

I never wanted to hurt you. But the fact is, I might have to cancel on you again.

It’s not that I want to, but there’s no way I can predict when I’ll get called away for an emergency.

But I promise I’ll always give you as much notice as I can.

And if something goes wrong between us, I want us to be able to talk stuff through until we both feel okay.

We left things messy last night, and I don’t want to do that again. ”

I had a mixed reaction to his words. I liked that he cared so much about making things right between us—but I wasn’t thrilled about the way he seemed to be asking me to be okay with broken promises.

Zoe had gone through the same thing with my brother over his inability to prioritize their relationship over the ranch, and they’d broken up over it, albeit briefly.

I knew firsthand that working with animals came at a price, and that often meant putting them in front of everything else. If I wanted to be a part of Declan’s life, I had to accept that there would be canceled dates and late night calls. It was the life of an on-call large animal vet.

“I accept your apology. And I’m sorry for being a grump last night.”

Declan broke into a smile and immediately moved toward me. He leaned in to kiss me, but I offered him my cheek at the last second. When he pulled away, his brow was furrowed, but he didn’t say anything.

“Listen, I hate to be a buzzkill, but I’m not quite done for the day.” I held up my phone. “I’m trying to stay on top of everything, so I never fall behind on invoicing again.”

“Seriously? But I brought you fried chicken from the Bite and Brew and Marc’s famous caramel apple pie too. I thought we could spread a blanket under the poplars and have a feast. I even brought wine.”

He looked so disappointed that I almost changed my mind.

“I wish I could, but the clock is ticking. I need to stick to the plan. Josh has been nosing around, and I’m very nearly ready to show him what I’ve been doing. When it comes to him, nothing speaks louder than numbers.”

“Are you sure you can’t take a quick little break with me?” Declan pleaded. “Because I was also thinking that you look like you could use a back rub…” He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

I shivered at the thought of what his hands could do.

“I wish. But I can’t fall behind. I’m sorry, Declan.”

All of that was true… but deep down, I had to admit that I was also choosing work over him on purpose.

Showing him how it felt to come in second place.

It was rude and I felt bad about it, but I was still hurting.

I knew damn well that Becca didn’t have real emergency last night. She’d ruined our evening on purpose.

“Well, all right then, I respect that,” he said with a sad nod. “But I’m going to leave all this food for you. You can’t work on an empty stomach.” He set the basket down in front of me. “I guess we’ll talk… at some point. Hope you enjoy the chicken, and good luck getting everything completed.”

Declan waved awkwardly, then whistled for Ford, who came dashing out of the barn. As I watched them walk away, all my petty anger faded. It dawned on me that he’d tried to make it up to me and then some, and I’d responded with what probably felt like a rejection.

I was being mean. The work could wait.

“Hey,” I shouted.

Declan turned around.

“I’m not really hungry for this.” I pointed to the basket at my feet.

“Really?” He frowned, looking hurt. “Um, okay. If you don’t want it, I’ll take it, I guess.” He started to walk back to me.

When he reached me, I held his gaze for a beat. “I’m not hungry for this,” I repeated, “but I am hungry for this .” I grabbed his wrist and tugged him closer, until he was pressed against me. His expression finally softened, a smile replacing the downturned corners of his mouth.

“Well, well,” he murmured. “I think I can help you with all of your appetites.”

His hand snaked up to cradle the back of my head and I practically melted against him. Declan traced his finger along the curve of my cheek, sending warmth through me. I would never, ever miss out on the opportunity to kiss Declan Morris again.

When our lips finally touched, I circled my hands behind his neck, pulling him closer. We fumbled as we kissed, the anticipation and relief making us clumsy with desire for each other. Declan flicked his tongue along my lips, and I sighed against his mouth.

The sun was setting and nearly everyone on the ranch had left for the day. I easily could’ve led Declan up to the house, but I had a better idea.

I dropped my hands to his waist as we kissed and I push-pulled against him, trying to communicate that I didn’t want to stop kissing him but that he needed to move backward toward the barn. He leaned away with his arms still wrapped around me and arched a brow.

“Seriously?”

“Uh-huh,” I managed as I reached up to trace kisses along his strong jawline.

“But—”

“But nothing. I want you now, and it’ll take too long to get to the house.”

A laugh rumbled out of him. “Well, okay. If you insist.”

“Oh, I insist.”