Sneak Peek! Constance and James’s Story…

“You see this?” James pointed along Clio’s hind leg.

Constance was finding it hard to concentrate with her proximity to James. She had to be close in order to see what he was showing her. His cologne or deodorant or shampoo was messing with her, making her realize just how much she relied on her sense of smell. She blinked and gave a sharp shake of her head.

His brows furrowed. “This. Right here.” He reached for Constance’s hand and placed her fingertips along the spot where he’d pointed before. His hand was warm and softer than she remembered. A lump formed in her throat and she forced herself to pay better attention.

“Okay.”

“Do you remember when he was born how this curved toward the ground and he couldn’t put much pressure on it?”

Constance nodded.

“Feel how his muscles have strengthened. They’re not where I want them to be yet, but if you examine him, you can feel the difference.” He moved her hand to Clio’s other hind leg. “See this? This is where he should be.” James’s face was so close to hers. It would take hardly any effort to lean into him and have her cheek brush his. It was like they were playing a game of Twister.

She fought the blush she knew was lying in wait. James’s hand still held onto hers firmly as he moved it up and down Clio’s leg. If she attempted to pull away from him, that would be strange. He would think that she didn’t like to be touched or that she wasn’t interested in what he had to teach her. Neither of which was true.

The real problem was that she couldn’t focus with his skin against hers. And their contact was mild compared to how a normal couple would treat one another.

Constance let out a slow breath through pursed lips and forced a smile when James glanced at her. His eyes lowered briefly down her face. When they landed on her mouth, he released her so suddenly that she nearly fell backward.

He shot to his feet, startling Clio and causing him to take off in an almost amusing run. James dusted off his jeans, his gaze following Clio. He pointed toward the young horse. “Have you noticed how much faster and surer he’s become?”

She rubbed her nose as she glanced over to where her horse was now prancing toward his mother. His strength had gotten much better. Her chest swelled with pride and she got to her feet. “It’s amazing how much things can change in only a few weeks.”

“It is.”

Feeling his gaze on her, Constance turned toward James once more. But the second she sought his eyes, he looked away. “So what’s next for today?”

He cleared his throat, shoving his hands into his pockets and rocking back on the heels of his boots. “I’ve got some therapeutic work with one of Shane’s horses out at the equine therapy center.”

“Really? That’s exciting.”

James arched a brow as he brought his focus back to her, causing her to blush right then and there.

“I mean, it’s not exciting that the horse needs therapy. But I didn’t realize you worked with Shane. I guess that makes sense. You are the best vet in the area.” She choked out the words as her blush grew hotter with each sentence that forced its way into the fray. “When will the therapy center open? Do you know?”

His lips twitched, pulling up at the ends. “It looks like Shane is doing a slow roll-out. He’s got a few clients who utilize his services, but the grand opening will be in a few months. I think he’s shooting for early December. So we need to make sure all of his horses are in good shape for that. Shane is really busy training the horses, and I hear Dax and Sarah are providing the foals for him to work with. There are a lot of cogs in motion here.”

“Wow.”

James nodded, glancing at his watch. “We have about an hour before we need to be out there. What do you say we get some lunch?”

Like a date?