sure.”
“Then ask me. Science says that our communication is seventy percent nonverbal and that only thirty percent is verbal. That’s why the need to talk openly with one another is crucial.”
Nodding, he said, “I’ll try to be more open with you from now on.”
“I know guys are drilled with being closemouthed about their emotions, but to allow our budding relationship to move forward, I need that from you, Chase. Never be afraid of asking me something or sharing something of yourself with me. I’m so thirsty for a man who can give-and-take in that way. I want you to be that man. It’s like breathing clean air from my side of things.”
“I know women have no problem telling their girlfriends about how they feel and that men avoid emotions like the plague with one another, never mind with the woman in their life. I’m not great at that, yet, but I’ll get better. Just give me a chance, Cari?”
“You’ve got it.” Her voice grew hoarse. “And you have my promise, I’ll always be honest and up front with you, Chase . . .”
The wall phone rang.
Chapter Twelve
June 16
Chase gave Cari an apologetic look. “I have to get that. Usually if the wall phone rings, one of my wranglers needs something.” He pushed the chair away. Reaching out, he brushed her cheek momentarily, and gave her a look he hoped she could interpret as his love for her. His chest felt like it might explode with unparalleled joy. Wrestling with his happiness, he forced himself to focus on the phone ringing.
“Chase here,” he growled.
“Hey, it’s Jenny, Chase. I just got a call from a raptor center in Southern California. They called and asked me if we had any young red-tailed hawks who were air worthy and if they could ask us to drive the raptor out to them. They are low on red-tailed hawks in their area and need an infusion of one or two young ones to take over the territory. Are you interested in doing this, Chase? I can’t do it with my workload, but maybe you’re free to take a trip over there with our Wild Child?” She laughed.
“Sure, we’ve done it before. When do they want Wild Child?”
“Well, sooner, not later. They said they have a male red-tail, but his mate was killed and they need a replacement.”
“Call them back and ask when they’d like the hawk.”
“Sure. Thanks!”
Chase hung up and turned, telling Cari about it. “What do you think? Would you like to drive over with me? Wild Child loves you. How about it?”
Raising her brows, Cari stood up, taking their empty china from the table. “Well . . . what about what’s going on here? With Dirk?”
Shrugging, Chase said, “He doesn’t know you’re here. We can leave just before dawn, under cover of night, and take Wild Child to that center. It will be a week-long trip because we’re going to have to find a raptor center along the way to put Wild Child up for the night and we’ll find a nearby motel. It might take us a little longer because raptor places aren’t exactly profuse in any state.”
She set the cups in the sink and rinsed them out. “That sounds almost heavenly to me. Our honey collection is due at the end of June, but Theresa is fully capable of handling it if the supers are all filled in the hives. She and her family can do that.” She turned, watching him walk toward her. “What about you? Can you be gone from the ranch that long?”
“Sure,” he said, halting before her. “Tracy knows how to run the ranch without me. Besides, we’ll always be in phone contact with one another if something serious happens.”
“What about Dan? What if he calls and we’re not here?”
“I’ll give him our cell phone numbers. If anything happens, he’ll be in touch with us, for sure. Plus, we’ll give him the number to reach at the raptor center.”
Compressing her lips, she closed her eyes for a moment, taking a ragged breath. Opening them, she gazed up at him. “This sounds like a wonderful vacation of sorts, just you and me.”
“And don’t forget Wild Child,” he said, grinning. “She’s a handful.”
“Yes, our little Valkyrie, for sure,” Cari said, managing a slight smile.
“Well? How about it? Maybe this is a heaven-sent break for you? Wouldn’t you like to get away from where Dirk is presently at?”
She rested her hips against the counter, hands clasped in front of her. “Not