The Rancher Meets His Match (The Millers of Morgan Valley #4) - Kate Pearce Page 0,77
done in no time and then we can be on our way.”
He sounded his usual easy self, like nothing had changed between them at all and why shouldn’t he? They’d had very specific rules, and he’d obviously taken them to heart and was abiding by them, which was exactly what she’d wanted.
“Great!” Julia replied. “How about I pack up all the stuff in the cabin while you do that so we won’t waste any more time.”
“If it’s not too much trouble.” He stood up and checked the height of the truck with a critical eye. “I already spoke to Nate. He said to tell you that your dad is fine and that Mike’s father, Brian, stayed over with him so not to worry about rushing back.”
“That’s great.” Aware that she was repeating herself, Julia went back toward the cabin. “I’ll get started.”
Two hours later they were on their way in their separate trucks, which meant that Julia didn’t have anything else to do but follow Kaiden and keep an eye out for rough spots on the trail. He had dropped a kiss on her forehead as she’d gotten in her truck, but other than that, he’d kept his hands to himself, and so had she, which made things a lot easier.
To her surprise, he drove straight up to the front door of her home, parked, and waited for her to join him. He grimaced as she approached.
“Lots of work going on here today. It’s going to get loud.”
“And I’m probably going to be in the way.” She paused, her gaze on his face. God, she wanted to touch him so badly. “If Dad is okay about it, I might skip out for the day. I have to go to Bridgeport for a work-related matter. Would you like to come with me?”
He blew out a breath and looked over at the collection of trucks parked by the barn.
“You’re not making this easy, Julia.”
“Maybe I’m just not ready to let you go just yet.”
He gazed down at her, his usual smile absent, and didn’t reply.
“Maybe we can spend the day together and find our friendship again?” Julia asked. “Or am I just being stupid here?”
“Like decelerating the threat level?” Kaiden offered.
She shrugged. “Something like that. Unless you have to work—which I quite understand.”
* * *
Kaiden stared into her brown eyes and mentally berated himself about a thousand times for what he knew he was about to do.
“I’ll need to talk to the guys and make sure they don’t need me for anything first.”
Her face lit up. “That’s . . . awesome! I’ll have to ask Dad, too, but he loves having everyone here. He’s been happier than he’s been for ages so I think he’ll be fine with it.”
She started for the door. “I’ll be back out in an hour. I’ll come and find you.”
“Great, you do that.” Kaiden waited until she’d gone inside before he found a rock to kick against the side of the barn. “You’re a fool, Kaiden Miller. You just don’t know when to let things go.”
Yet, Julia was right, wasn’t she? They had to find a way to go on together that didn’t involve them both being naked. He pictured the way she looked when she came, her head thrown back, her whole face contorted in ecstasy, and groaned again.
Yeah, he was a fool just like his father said. Too scared to ask for what he really wanted and content to live off the scraps everyone else threw his way.
Despite his best efforts, none of the contractors needed either his help or advice. For once, the job was progressing smoothly, everyone was getting along, and so far there had been no major problems. He got the sense that the guys were working extra fast to get the work done for Juan, who was well known and liked in the local community.
By the time Julia came back out, he’d also spoken to his mom, who now knew where he was but was still wondering out loud why he was avoiding his father. He hadn’t had an answer for her, but the thought lay heavy in his mind. Maybe he was becoming some kind of expert at avoiding anything unpleasant in his life.
“Wow.” He did a double take as Julia sashayed down the path toward him. “You look . . . different.”
She smoothed down her pencil skirt with her fingers and offered him a slightly anxious smile. “It feels weird wearing a skirt and heels again.”