but he picks up Ella, who is still laughing, and helps her on in front of me, giving my thigh a little pinch as he does.
I swat his hand away, though honestly, I’ve been aching to touch him all day. After our kisses last night, the awareness in my body is hard to ignore. If I thought I was attuned to Gavin’s presence before, now that I’ve felt his lips on mine, it’s more like there’s an invisible, electric current tying me to the man. It’s torture having to keep apart with Ella around. Though maybe she’s the best layer of protection. Otherwise, we might still be in that tack room. I settle my arms around Ella.
“I’ll get you back later,” Gavin whispers to me, his eyes gleaming.
“Just so long as you change and shower first,” I tell him. It’s a lie, because as badly as he smells, I’d still let him kiss me. That’s how desperate I am.
I realize, watching Gavin’s cow-pie-stained rear as he walks away, that I’ve done what both Abby and Sam advised me to do. I’ve loosened up my control and stopped letting my head stifle my feelings.
Just as it did in the office when I finally spoke my mind, it’s incredibly freeing. As long as I don’t think about when it’s all going to come crashing down. Because one thing I know is that it always does. You can be in the middle of enjoying your life when it just gets ripped away.
Merlin stands still, letting Gavin hop back on. But I swear, his horse looks just as amused as we did. Back at the barn, we find Snowflake, her head buried in the oat trough, looking as unrepentant as only a pony can.
From: MistersSister@DrLove.advice
To: DrLove@DrLove.advice
Dear Dr. Love,
My boyfriend and I recently sent off one of those DNA tests. He’s excited, but I’m terrified we’re actually related. People always say we look alike, and we were both adopted.
If we are related, how related do we have to be to cut things off? I really love him. Even if he is my cousin.
-Possibly my mister’s sister
From: DrLove@DrLove.advice
To: MistersSister@DrLove.advice
Dear Possibly,
I’m not sure what the chances are that you’re related, but I hope for your sake that you find no evidence of that.
If you are, there are some legal considerations. If you’re second cousins (or beyond), everything is A-OK! If you’re first cousins, it’s legal to get married in half of the US states, so you might consider a relocation and more genetic tests if you want to have kids.
If you’re actually your mister’s sister? I’d suggest moving out of state alone. Not to get married, but to get some space, get over the feelings you have for your brother (yikes), and move on.
Hoping you win the genetic lottery,
Dr. Love
Chapter Twenty-Five
Gavin
All day long, I’m aching to kiss Zoey again. To hold her, to remember that this is real. Instead, I’m running on the fumes of flirty smiles and significant glances as we spend time with Ella and my family. When we get back from our ride, Patty and Nancy surprise us at the house.
“I’m so sorry I got you sick,” Nancy says, first thing. She gives me a quick hug, then pulls away with her nose wrinkled. “Why do you smell like you sat in a cow pie?”
“Because I fell in a cow pie,” I tell her. I’m watching Zoey over her shoulder as Patty introduces herself. “And I don’t mind getting sick. It turned out pretty okay.”
Nancy chuckles, patting my back and then following my gaze. “Sure looks that way. It’s about time, if you ask me. Now, go shower.”
Patty follows her sister, holding me just as long, despite the smell that I know is emanating from my backside. “Last time I saw you, you were all alone. Now, look at you! Guess it’s still true that I can’t take my eyes off of you, boy.”
“I guess so.”
Though Nancy and Patty are both amazing, nurturing women I watch Ella with concern. She’s met so many new people in the past few days. Then again, I don’t know what she’s used to. Where did she and Eleanor live? My ex changed addresses as often as she changed boyfriends. I hate knowing now that she had Ella along for the ride, while I had no idea. It burns me up. I want to call Eleanor and ask for more information, but I need to wait for Thayden’s counsel.
Ella handles it like a champ, swept up by the gale