IF Scarlett HADN'T needed to be in the office to handle client calls Tuesday morning she'd have stayed in bed. Cole's bed to be exact. But she had an afternoon event tomorrow and three weddings for the upcoming weekend. It was a busy time to have a hangover, even a small one.It was far earlier than she'd have liked to be awake, but between his alarms and needing a lift to his car she was up at the crack of dawn. She had a few hours to treat her headache so she couldn't justify canceling her Tuesday in favor of nursing her hangover.That glass of midnight wine had been a terrible, awful idea. At least until it led to sharing the shower after she sloshed them both.She shifted into park and the front door of the guy's house swung open.Scarlett cringed. So much for sneaking in before they were up and going.Garth, followed by Benji, stepped out in their work duds. They'd mentioned tackling the weeds encroaching along the property line from the neighbor's field. Was that today?

Cole WAS RUNNING off coffee and his cup was empty. He'd been in better shape than Scarlett that morning, that was for sure. The woman was a lightweight. He'd have to remember that in the future.He checked his watch.There was an hour break in the schedule he wanted to use to research food options for two diabetic patients. His go to brand wasn't appetizing to one, and the other hadn't responded to the special food the way they'd hoped. With all the new products hitting the market every year, he hoped to find a new solution for both. But that meant time and research.He strode to the front of the clinic. The break room coffee pot was empty, but they kept a small machine in the lobby stocked for patients. He was hoping to make this his last cup of the day, so there was no need to brew a whole new pot."Afternoon, Luna," he called out."Busy morning, huh?" She shuffled the papers around."That it was.""You had fun last night I heard." Luna delivered the line as easy and br

Scarlett PRESSED HER back to the side of the house. She'd heard an engine, but was too chicken to see who it was.It was going to be Cole.She just knew it. But she couldn't face him right now. It was too soon, and she didn't know what to do.Feet crunched in the gravel coming closer.Shoot.She peered at the back side of the house. Could she dart around there and over to the guy's place? Climbing over their makeshift fence might give her away."Scarlett?" Benji called out. A light shone straight in her face."Hey." She held up her hand and squinted at him. The fading light cast long shadows, partially obscuring him."What are you doing?" Benji picked his way around her ruined garden plot."Just looking to see if I can salvage anything. I think it's a lost cause this year.""I thought we knew that already.""Yeah, well, I was just making sure. Coming inside?" She waved him to follow her."Sure."Maybe what she needed was a man's perspective. Talking to the gir

Scarlett closed her eyes so she wouldn't have to see him. "I hadn't realized it then. I was too caught up in...this. Us. I was overwhelmed.""What do you want, Scarlett? Do you want to work on this, or are you done?" Given what she'd been through with her ex, he couldn't fault her for wanting to protect herself."I want this to work out, but I'm scared it won't. I'm scared of how much it could hurt if it doesn't." She chuckled. "I've got that curse to watch out for and all.""But how good would it be if this does work?" The tight fist that had clenched on his insides relaxed a little and he sucked down a breath. He wasn't ready to commit to the idea of kids. It was too soon for that talk, but his eyes were open to the possibility."I think I'm scared of that, too. I'm just-scared. It's stupid. I'm sorry. I-""Baby. Sh."He gathered her to him, all the anger and fear gone out of him. He was asking her for everything she could give him. She was right to be afraid. He didn't h

Scarlett REACHED ACROSS the car and squeezed Cole's hand. This morning had taken a surprising turn when Cole's brother called to ask if they wanted to do breakfast. After some back and forth, Cal and Eve were driving up to attend the high school's fall pancake breakfast charity to benefit the local firehouse. Given that half the town had been burned down in '68, the fire department was one thing no one skimped on."You want to get out, or wait on them?" Scarlett asked."Let's get out." Cole squeezed her hand back. "Thanks for making time to do this.""Thanks for letting me tag along."Cole leaned across and kissed her cheek. It was a sweet gesture after a night of intense heat. She wasn't looking forward to seeing Garth later. He'd been cool about Cole showing up, but she was dreading his real reaction later. Garth couldn't stop being Garth even if he wanted to."Come on." Cole opened his door.They got out and walked hand in hand across the grass toward the small parking l