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Chapter 19: Scarlett
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The Love Barn Chapter 20: Scarlett
Scarlett stared while others howled in laughter. Sissy waved and flicked the ends of the reins at people as her pony trotted on."How much trouble is she going to get in for that?" Kasima turned, eyes wide."I don't know that she can get in trouble. You don't have to have a license to operate a buggy." Scarlett stood and stared at the caution triangle on the back of Sissy's pony cart.That was going to make quite a stir.They stowed the chairs and coolers in Ingrid's little car, leaving no room for other bodies. But that was okay. Most people parked by the field then walked to Main Street. Their group merged with other familiar faces, all headed toward the field. The others drifted away until it was just her. And Cole.She slid the carnation behind her ear, freeing her hands and wiped her palms on her thighs.Cole was just a guy she knew from town. Just because they had chemistry didn't dictate they become a couple or even explore what it might be like."I'm sorry if I wa
The Love Barn Chapter 21: Cole
Cole GLARED AT Garth blocking his path. Scarlett had already darted out of view in the growing warren of vehicles lined up for the game."Stay away from my sister," Garth said."Or what?" Cole crossed his arms over his chest, unimpressed with the bully before him."Hey." Benji hooked his arm around his older brother's neck, catching the man by surprise. "What's going on over here?"Benji's smile was too sharp, his hold on his brother too tight. How much of the exchange had he seen?"Get off of me." Garth pushed his brother away. His face was twisted into a scowl."You sitting with us?" Benji's focus remained on Garth, the hostile vibe intensifying."No." Garth gave Cole another glance. His stay away message telegraphed without words. He turned and stalked away.For a moment both Benji and Cole watched him until the crowed swallowed Garth."Is he always an asshole?" Cole asked."No. I mean, he's overprotective and a stick in the mud, but this is all new. Something's
The Love Barn Chapter 22: Cole
Cole's thoughts weren't focused on the food. Far from it."Thanks for helping me." Scarlett took a spoon."Are those the stadium lights?" He squinted at the brightness in town."It is." She scooped out a bite."The game's still going on? Do you want to go back? Maybe catch the end?""No." She shook her head. "There's always next year.""You sure?" He didn't like knowing she was missing out on something she enjoyed. Something that brought people together."I need to start thinking about tomorrow. It's going to be a long day and we'll be at capacity.""When will it all start?""Well, the chairs for the ceremony are scheduled to be here by eight. Garth will oversee that. The ceremony is happening over there. You can almost see the stone we laid down to make a center aisle and room for the attendants." She gestured further off in the darkness."They're having it outside?""Yeah, if the weather's nice it makes for a beautiful ceremony. It's just a lot to set up for and
The Love Barn Chapter 23: Cole
Cole HAD TO get in the car. All he could think about was Scarlett in all the ways he wanted her. That wasn't being friends."Cole? Cole, wait.""No, Scarlett." He kept going, curling his hands into fists so he couldn't reach for her.Footsteps rustled the grass and fallen leaves. He could feel her coming closer.She grabbed his elbow and yanked. She wasn't strong enough to stop him, but he gave in anyway. Because he wasn't ready to walk away from her yet."What?" He turned toward her, his whole being vibrating with the need to touch her.For another long moment they stared at each other, her face lined with emotion he couldn't name. She felt too deeply. It was there in her eyes. She knew what she wanted, and he was barely figuring his shit out. He'd very likely hurt her if this kept going.He closed his eyes and inhaled the night air, catching the sweeter scent of the vanilla candles still clinging to her skin."Scarlett-"Her hand gripped his shoulder and then her mo
The Love Barn Chapter 24: Cole
Cole eased back, breaking the kiss and dragged his hands down her body. The bra stayed on, for now, but the panties had to go. He hooked his fingers in them and dragged the down her hips and legs."Lie back," he said."Why?""I'm going to show you why being this sensitive can be fun." He dropped her panties to the floor and sat back on his heels.She stared at him with wide eyes.Yeah, he was going to show her how sexy she was and enjoy every minute of it.Cole bent and kissed her knee, his hand running up her other shin and knee. He urged her legs apart, and she relented. Her muscles remained tense, not quite ready to trust him. That was okay. He was going to enjoy coaxing Scarlett.He nibbled his way up her thighs, kissing the sensitive skin all while drawing closer to his goal. She eased back onto her hands, still watching him. The tension was easing, but not gone yet. He'd have to work for her trust and he was okay with that.When he finally reached the apex of her
The Love Barn Chapter 25: Scarlett
Scarlett LEANED AGAINST the back wall of the barn and watched the bride spin around the dance floor. Benji's parody song of the B52's Love Shack played through the speakers.The day was almost over.She couldn't believe how many times they'd had a near disaster, starting with the surprise flower arch the bride had thrown at her first thing in the morning. Scarlett had realized too late this bride's methods, how she'd manipulated Scarlett into going above, beyond and farther than was reasonable.Her phone vibrated, and she snatched it out of her pocket. After two outfit changes due to mishaps she'd given up and put on jeans, not caring if she showed up in the background looking casual.She stared down at the text, her second of the day: Bad day. Hope yours was better. Want to do dinner?Cole included a picture of a wine bottle and a six pack of beer.Right now that was her kind of dinner.She'd wanted to hear from him all day. Last night had been intense, to say the least.
The Love Barn Chapter 26: Scarlett
"What happened?" she asked. Had Allie shown up? Was there bad news about the search for his siblings?"We had to put down two dogs today," he whispered."Oh, no." Her heart ached, and she squeezed him tighter."Yeah, one darted out in the road and the other...""I'm sorry.""Me, too." Cole kissed her forehead and patted her back."Come on." She took a step away from him and reached for his hand."Let me grab the food."They gathered the bags and together carried the bounty inside. Cole took over laying out the ingredients and pouring her a glass of wine."We could just heat up a pizza," she said."Spaghetti is my comfort food." He glanced up at her and smiled. Sadness still tinged his eyes. "How was the wedding?""More work than I expected." She rolled her eyes. "It went off well, though we had several bridesmaids get sick.""Yuck.""You're telling me." She wrinkled her nose. "It was beautiful though. They did the ceremony over under the oaks with flower arche
The Love Barn Chapter 27: Cole
Cole WAS SURPRISED by how quiet Monday was. It was as though the universe had used up all its ill will on Saturday and Sunday. He'd made three emergency after hours house calls, something Dr. Green vowed wasn't normal."Mrs. Billy?" He leaned around the corner and stopped when he saw the two male silhouettes standing at the desk."Dr. Odell." Mrs. Billy swiveled toward him and thumbed at the two men. "The Lively brothers are here to see you."They didn't have pets or livestock which meant this was not a professional call. He'd been wondering when this chat might happen."Come around and I'll meet you in my office," Cole said.He wasn't thrilled that this conversation was going down at his place of work, but it was good to get it over with. Now that he and Scarlett were on the same page he intended to spend a lot of time with her. Since she came with a tight-knit family that meant including them to some degree. It was best if they all got on the same page now. Besides, he had
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