explained how you got them involved here. Told me about the alternative agricultural methods you guys are exploring. Growing your own alfalfa to make Safe Haven more self-sustaining? Really impressive. So is getting them school credit to volunteer.”
Surprised, she blinked. “I see they were quite chatty. Anything else?”
He smiled. “Only that you couldn’t decide between being a teacher or a vet.”
“Gee, did they tell you what color underwear I prefer?”
“Uh, no,” he said, the skin at the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement. “We didn’t get to that.”
She shook her head, laughing and groaning at the same time, and tried the doorknob. It had always stuck, but with the lack of frequent use, it was more stubborn than usual.
“Let me try.” Lucas took over, but he hadn’t left room for her to get out of the way.
He put his shoulder into the effort, and she stared at the rippling motion of his muscles flexing and releasing. His elbow grazed her right breast, and she tensed. He didn’t seem to notice or else purposely ignored the contact. Her nipples tightened, and she realized that in her hurry to squeeze in a shower, she’d forgotten to wear a T-shirt bra.
The door opened, startling her into taking a step backward on the uneven ground. Lucas steadied her with his large hand briefly on her arm. The frantic pace of her pulse really annoyed her. She wasn’t going down that road again. This was business and she really wasn’t that starved for a man’s attention. No, that was a lie. She’d been suffering a drought for a while now. Usually she was just better at ignoring it.
“Yep, it’s a tight space.”
She followed his gaze to the battered old recliner pushed against the wall and the small scarred table Annie had used as a desk and for everything else. The kitchen was nothing more than a sink and a counter with a microwave, a toaster oven and a coffeepot. Underneath was a mini fridge on its last legs.
“I don’t know how Annie managed,” Melanie said and moved inside. “The loft has a bed, a small dresser and that’s it. But the worst thing is the tiny shower. It’s almost criminal.”
Lucas ducked his head, spotted the door to the bathroom tucked under the stairs. “How long did she live here?”
“Two years.”
He let out a low whistle. “That’s dedication.”
“There isn’t a word for how hard Annie worked. Without her the sanctuary would’ve folded by now.”
He joined her at the counter, where she was looking through a plastic bin of dry goods. “Won’t be easy for anyone to follow in her footsteps.”
The cabin felt even smaller with him standing so close. “I wouldn’t even try. I’m not that selfless,” she said, grabbing a box of crackers. “Still, Shea and I are willing to go to any lengths not to let Annie down.”
“Understood,” he said, his faint smile indicating he’d taken her words as a warning.
She averted her gaze and returned to inventorying their picnic options.
“Peanut butter.” He picked up the jar she’d set beside the crackers, studying it as if he’d struck gold. “Man, I haven’t had this in years.”
“I wouldn’t last two weeks without peanut butter.”
“I ate it every day when I first bought the ranch. The old place needed so much work I was too exhausted to shop or cook.” He started to twist the cap. “You mind?”
“Go for it.” She smiled when he got the top off and took a big whiff. “Where’s your ranch?”
“Wyoming.”
That surprised her. She’d assumed he lived somewhere near Denver, where Prison Reform Now was headquartered. She brought out deli turkey and cheese and mayonnaise from the fridge. Two apples were left over from the other day, so she grabbed them, too. She straightened and saw him searching the counter. Assuming he wanted a knife, she handed him one.
He dipped it into the jar, scooped out a mound of peanut butter and offered it to her. She shook her head, and he used his finger to sweep the whole glob into his mouth.
Melanie grinned. “Okay, I might be going out on a limb here...but I’m thinking we can skip the trip to town.”
Looking like a kid trying not to talk with his mouth full, Lucas nodded enthusiastically. He pointed to the food and gave her a thumbs-up.
Okay, she didn’t need him looking that adorable. What she did need, however, was a dose of common sense. She’d bag the food and take it to the office. No reason they couldn’t eat there. “How about a horseback ride?” she asked instead, evidently channeling Chelsea, which was a terrifying thought. “I know just the spot.”
He agreed, so she gathered their dinner, while he found napkins and washed the knife. It would have been downright cozy if she hadn’t been caught stealing looks at him. Of course, she’d caught him looking back.
When Kathy saw them saddling the horses, she gave her a blanket and a wink. Melanie volleyed with a glare normally reserved for boys who loitered outside the girls’ locker room. Thank goodness Lucas had missed the exchange. But that hadn’t stopped her from blushing like a lunatic.
The silent ten-minute ride went quickly and comfortably, considering the storm brewing in Melanie’s head. The sun was sinking, the air wasn’t too warm, and in fact, the crisp breeze hitting her cheeks felt refreshing. It would’ve been perfect if only her mind hadn’t kept circling back to the same question. What on earth was she doing? They couldn’t have that much to discuss. It would’ve made more sense to have eaten in the office while they talked and then gone their separate ways. She still had a lot of work to do. He probably had a long drive to wherever he was going next.
And yet she wasn’t sorry. She didn’t feel bad for not doing the sensible thing. She was enjoying Lucas. That wasn’t a crime or a sin. Though to ignore the broad stretch of his T-shirt across his shoulders might be.
“Is that it?” He pointed to the grassy knoll protected by a thicket of aspens.
“How did you know?”
“That’s where I’d go.” He twisted around in his saddle and looked back toward Blackfoot Falls and the distant Rockies. “Great view.”
“You can even see part of Safe Haven.”
He swung off Sergei, the gelding he’d chosen, and tethered the black to a sapling.
Before she could dismount, Lucas caught her by the waist and helped her down. She shoved the hair out of her eyes, about to tell him he didn’t need to do that, but he had strong hands and all she could manage was “Thanks.”
He smiled and turned his attention to the mare. “Is she your favorite?” he asked and stroked the horse’s neck.
“Candy Cane is everyone’s favorite. Someone abandoned her two years ago. Can you imagine? She’s so sweet and gentle I never worry when the kids want to ride her.”
“I’m
