Chapter 30

Dad flipped the channels until he settled on some cop drama. I didn’t pay attention, my thoughts were only on Colten, and his heartbeat I could feel with my back against his chest. If every day were this perfect, I’d call it heaven.

At quarter till ten, Colten reluctantly got to his feet.

“Early start in the morning,” he said in way of explanation. “But I’ll see you tomorrow?”

I walked him to the door and out into the chilly night air. I rubbed my hands together. “Yeah. Your place or mine?”

He laughed and put his arm around me again. I liked it when he did that, and I smiled up at him.

“Mine. Meet me there around five? I’ll have time to stop at the store and get something to make you.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Beside his truck, he put both his arms around me and pulled me to him. I breathed deep his scent, of cows and grass and clean sweat. I’d never realized how much I enjoyed the smell of the outdoors.

“Thanks again, Marty. Dinner was good.”