26

Thrills shot through Hayley as Trevor touched his lips to hers. He smelled like her cedar-lined closet and tasted like honey. Then his hand cupped the back of her head, and he pressed his firm mouth against hers.

Hayley shivered, but not from cold. Heat radiated and spread like liquid fire through her entire body. Rational thought fled. Hayley trembled and pressed against Trevor. He moaned against her mouth. Her hands fisted in his hair, and her toes curled. Hayley melted against Trevor’s chest as her bones liquefied.

“Hayley. Wait.” Trevor’s agonized whisper broke through her haze. He lifted his head a fraction of an inch, breaking her hold, and inhaled a deep, shaky breath.

Cold air blew away passion’s heat. Hayley flushed, embarrassed. What just happened? Should she apologize? Maybe, if she could catch her breath. “I…I…didn’t mean to get carried away.” She ducked her head and rested her cheek against his broad chest. Even through his thick jacket, she could hear the rapid thump, thump of his racing heart.

“Give me a minute.” Trevor groaned and leaned his head against the gazebo’s frame.

Hayley scooted away, pulled her knees up, and wrapped her arms around them. She couldn’t look at him.

“Hey.” Trevor’s finger traced the curve of her cheek and tucked a short wave behind her ear. “That was…great.”

Hayley glanced sideways at him.

His beautiful mouth curved upward, his head tilted. “You OK?”

“Still shaky. And kind of embarrassed. I didn’t mean to lose control.”

Trevor slid his arm behind her and hugged her to his side. “I hope you’re not sorry we kissed. It was incredible. You’re incredible.” His lips grazed her temple, creating more shivers. “Are you cold?”

“Not yet.”

“In that case…” Trevor stood and held out his hand. “Want to go for a walk? I’m having second thoughts.”

Hayley’s heart clenched. About them? Maybe there’d never really been a “them.” Her mouth tingled, and her pulse increased again. No, that couldn’t be it. She stood and took his outstretched hand.

They walked hand in hand past the barn and out into a hayfield. Tiny green shoots poked through last season’s rubble, as fragile as Hayley’s dreams.

Trevor must have noticed her trying to avoid stepping on the new growth, because he chuckled and shook his head. “We’re not doing it any damage. Alfalfa’s tougher than it looks.”

“I’m tougher than I look too. So tell me, what are you having second thoughts about?”

Trevor pulled her close, his hand firm on her back, and rested his forehead on hers. His breath tickled her nose, and she inhaled his woodsy scent.

“Hayley, I’m sorry.”

~*~

Hayley closed her eyes and stiffened in his arms.

Trevor touched her cheek and felt tears. Confusion stalled his thoughts. Why was she crying again? He moistened his still-tingling lips. He had to make her understand. “I don’t think I should move back to the farm after all. You’re just too much of a temptation, and I don’t want to hurt you. Us.”

“That’s what you changed your mind about? I thought…” Hayley twisted in Trevor’s embrace.

The move threw him off balance. He stepped back to regain stability, his arms still gripping Hayley, and they both tumbled to the ground.

“Umph!” Trevor gasped for air as he hit the dirt.

Hayley scrambled to get off him, but he couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Her elbow had punched him in the solar plexus. He’d been hit there before. It would take a moment or two, but breath would return. He willed himself to relax. Wait for air.

Hayley’s eyes grew wider as she stood over him. “Trevor, get up! What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”

Finally, blessed air whooshed into his lungs. He sat up and reached a hand to Hayley.

Once he stood upright again, Trevor shook his head and chuckled. “You knocked the wind out of me, Red. Not for the first time today.” He winked, and rosy pink bloomed on her face. He drew her close, tucked his finger under her chin. “What? Did you think I had second thoughts about us?”

Hayley turned her head.

Trevor took it as affirmation. “Not us, Hayley. Not a chance.” He rested his cheek on the top of her head. “You know, God’s been chasing me for a long, long time. But He used you to lasso me in. He went to a lot of trouble to bring us together, and I have a hunch He’s got more in store for us. Together. The way I see it, we’d better not fight Him on this.”

Hayley gazed up at him. Her eyes shone, and her hand covered her open mouth. “Oh, Trevor.”

He laughed softly, crushed her against him, and whispered in her ear. “One more thing, Red. The next time you kiss me like that, we’d better be married.”

Hayley reared back, her eyebrows nearly to her hairline. “Is that a proposal, Trevor Hiebert?”

Trevor gulped, coughed. His heart raced. He’d spoken without thinking. But since he’d said it, he realized he meant it. “Not yet, sweetheart. It’s a good idea, but this is not the time or place.” He grinned. “Trust me, you’ll know when I propose to you.”

Her eyes twinkled, and she pulled his head down. Trevor braced himself to keep control. But Hayley just pecked him on the cheek and let go.

“Safe enough, sir?”

Her giggle was infectious, and they laughed together until Trevor’s stomach rumbled noisily.

He rubbed his belly and grinned. “Guess you’re not all I need, after all.”

Hayley pushed up her coat sleeve and exposed her dainty, silver watch. She looked up at him, eyebrows raised. “It’s almost one o’clock. Your parents must be wondering what happened to us.”

Trevor took her hand in his. “Maybe, maybe not. Those two have always known me better than I know myself, so I doubt we’ll surprise them.”

As they walked hand in hand toward the farmhouse, Hayley reminded him they’d gotten distracted. “So where will you live, if not here? Maybe I should move back to Dave and Lydia’s.”

Trevor rubbed his chin. “Mom still needs your help for a while. And your being here gives Dad peace of mind. I don’t want you to leave. Hopefully Ryan and I can work something out. It should only be for a few months, anyway. If I get my way.”

He squeezed Hayley’s hand, and her answering laughter rang out like chimes.

When they reached the back door, Trevor stopped with his hand on the doorknob. “I just realized I need to talk to Carlos. As of today, I don’t have a job.”