16

The scent of hot cocoa caressed Hayley’s nose as she entered the kitchen.

Laureen held out a full mug, its fragrant steam drifting toward her, enticing Hayley closer. “Here you go, sweetheart. How’s your arm?”

“Thanks. It’ll be fine.” Hayley accepted the mug with both hands, careful to avoid looking at Trevor. His presence seemed to fill the room, but that didn’t mean she had to face him. Not yet, anyway. She took a tentative sip of the cocoa and nearly purred as its heat soaked into her still-chilled bones.

Franklin pulled out the chair next to him. “Here, have a seat. You must be beat.”

Now she’d have no choice but to deal with Trevor. But she didn’t want to see condemnation on his face. Hayley lowered onto the chair, mindful of her hot drink.

“Hey.” Trevor sounded embarrassed, uncertain.

She met his gaze and saw regret. His gray eyes captivated her; their flecks of steel blue sparkled under the dining room light. She couldn’t look away.

Trevor cleared his throat and fidgeted on his chair. “Listen, I’m sorry I snapped at you out there. I didn’t get Mom’s message about you moving here, and…I guess the shock made me act stupid.” He looked away, breaking the spell.

Hayley tried to picture herself as he’d seen her, covered with birthing gore among other things, probably red-faced, and wearing coveralls several sizes too big. How not to make a good impression. A giggle bubbled up and escaped. “Apology accepted. I was rather out of my element.”

Their gazes locked again, and Trevor reached across the table, palm up. “Friends?”

Hayley placed her hand in his. A shockwave zinged up her arm. She jumped but couldn’t break contact. His pupils widened, and a fine line appeared between his eyebrows. But he didn’t pull back. Hayley swallowed hard and willed her voice not to squeak. “Friends.”

Trevor smiled, squeezed her hand, and let go. He glanced around, and his brow furrowed. “When did Mom and Dad leave?”

Heat warmed Hayley’s cheeks. She hadn’t noticed anything other than him. Was this how Laureen felt when a dizzy spell hit? Perhaps the hot cocoa would restore some of her equilibrium. She took a sip.

“My folks must have figured we needed some privacy. Not sure why, but I’m OK with it.” Trevor stood. “I need more cocoa. Want yours topped up?”

She shook her head, her throat tight. Maybe she hadn’t thought this through enough. Trevor would be moving away soon and he’d probably come out to see his parents as often as possible.

“Hey, are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” She shifted on her chair, and her leg muscles protested. “A bit sore from helping that cow.”

Trevor grinned and his eyebrows lifted. “No doubt. Dad’s really proud of you, the way you jumped right in. First time, I assume?”

“First time in a barn, even.” Hayley felt the grin forming. “But helping bring a tiny calf into the world? That was incredible.”

Something gleamed in Trevor’s eyes, but then he turned toward the pot of hot chocolate without saying a word.

~*~

Trevor refilled his mug. When they’d first met, he would’ve called Hayley frail, but already she looked healthier. And the green sweater reflected her gorgeous eyes. Nice. “Ow!” Hot cocoa splashed onto his hand, and he jerked, spilling it onto the counter and floor. Irritation flared. He clenched his jaw against an ugly exclamation.

Hayley jumped up and grabbed some paper towels. She wiped the mess off the counter and crouched to clean the floor.

Trevor tapped her arm. “Not your problem. I made the mess. I’ll clean it.”

“Sorry.” As Hayley handed him the towel, he saw a flash of something shimmer in her eyes. Tears?

I’m such a heel. He’d snapped at her in the barn, and now he’d done it again. He’d made a mess, and not just with the cocoa. He finished the clean-up, tossed the towel in the garbage, and returned to the table. Time to make amends.

Hayley‘s attention seemed focused on the center of the table. Was her lower lip trembling?

“Ah, man, I’m sorry.”

Hayley glanced up, her mouth grimaced, and she went back to studying the table. He tried again. “I didn’t mean to bark at you.” A thought hit, and he cringed. She’d worked hard on the heifer and probably had some aches and pains to show for it. “Did I hurt your arm?”

“No. I didn’t mean to get in your way. I just wanted to help.”

Shame punched him in the solar plexus. “I really am sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I don’t usually blow up. I didn’t mean to—especially at you.” Warmth rushed up the back of his neck. That last bit had slipped out without thought. Now she’d want to know what he meant. He couldn’t even explain to himself why this particular redhead had gotten under his skin.

Her eyes widened, and pink bloomed on her pale cheeks. “Are you upset because I’m here? I-I’m not chasing you, if that’s what you think.”

“Yeah. No. I mean…” Trevor stared at a spot near her left shoulder. “I’m glad you’re helping Mom. She told me you two hit it off. I was just surprised, that’s all.” Although an admission of attraction wouldn’t have hurt his feelings. Friends. That’s what they’d agreed to be. That would have to do. “I assume you’re OK with me showing up here as much as possible until I leave?”

Hayley cleared her throat and tilted her head, drawing his attention back to her lustrous eyes. “Of course I don’t mind. This is your home, your family. Besides, we’re friends. Right?”

For a city girl, she sure could lasso a guy. With his own words, even. Trevor grinned and reached across the table. “Right.”

She placed her small hand in his, and a jolt shot up his arm. She didn’t pull away, though, and Trevor enjoyed the rosiness in her cheeks with a flush of warmth creeping up his own neck. Time to be honest. “I’m glad you’re here, Hayley. I wish I had more than a week and a half before my Toronto gig starts. I want to know you better.”

Hayley’s mouth lifted in a smile that tugged at his midsection. “Me, too.”

Trevor squeezed her hand before releasing it. “Good.” He looked past her to the kitchen doorway. “Shall we let my folks know we’re OK now? Nice of them to give us some privacy.”

“They’re pretty amazing. You’re a lucky man, Trevor, to have such great parents.”

Her voice trailed off on the last sentence, and he wondered why. She took both their mugs to the dishwasher. She seemed to favor her leg. Not surprising, after the strenuous work of pulling that calf.

Trevor got up, closed the dishwasher, and gently took her arm. “You must be exhausted. Let’s relax in the living room. That’s probably where Mom and Dad are.”

They were, snuggled together on the loveseat with their Bible spanning their laps. Laureen smiled a welcome. Franklin closed the Bible. “Got everything sorted out?”

“I think so.” Trevor avoided looking at the Bible as he sat beside Hayley and pulled a footstool close for her weak leg.

“Yes.” Hayley confirmed. Her eyes were shining as she murmured, “Thank you.”

Her appreciative expression imprinted on his heart. Another image to haunt his dreams. Trevor glanced at his watch and regret surged through him. “It’s ten o’clock. I’d better get home. Didn’t realize it was so late. You all need your rest, and I’ve got another hectic day starting in just a few hours.”

Laureen opened her arms in invitation. He crossed the room and hugged his mother. She patted his back as he clasped his father’s hand. “Will we see you tomorrow?”

Trevor looked at Hayley and mentally ran through his long to-do list. He’d have to start early and work through lunch again, but how could he refuse the invitation in those jade eyes? He caught the look that passed between his parents. He’d think about it later. “I’ll try to be here for supper.”

A few minutes later, Trevor cranked up the heater in his Jeep. After the warmth of his parents’ home—and the fire that burned every time he got near Hayley Blankenship—the frosty night air chilled his bones.

He had his life planned. He wanted to make his name famous in the custom bike world. Then he’d save up and eventually buy the farm from his folks. Even with the deal they’d offered, he’d have to earn more than he could with Carlos. And someday, when the time was right, he would find someone who could share his dream of living in the country and helping kids who needed security, discipline, and lots of love. Kids like him. Hayley’s enchanting face appeared in his thoughts. And now, he’d met someone who might be everything he’d ever wanted.

But in a week and a half, he was moving two provinces away. To a different world, a different life. Not what he wanted to do forever, but the job in Toronto would be a stepping stone to the fulfillment of his dreams.

He’d given his word to Vince Starr, and his dad had taught him the importance of his word. But what if he could fast-track this part of his plan? How long would it take to gain the recognition he craved, to prove his value? And why did he think he had to be famous to prove his worth? He swatted the thought away like a pesky fly. His plan would succeed, no matter what he had to sacrifice.

A whisper seemed to hang in the dimness of the car’s interior. Even Hayley?