23. Clint
23
CLINT
C lint wiped the sweat off his brow as he drove the tractor back into the barn. He wouldn’t be cleared to drive for a few months, but this wasn’t a truck on the highway. So what if heavy machinery had three times the pedals and levers as cars? He could drive a tractor with one working foot in his sleep.
His dad hopped off the running board and grabbed Clint’s crutches from where he’d left them propped against a hay bale. Thankfully, his dad hadn’t said anything about the work he was still doing despite the doctor’s orders to take it easy. Clint needed wide-open spaces and fresh air, even if the wind held a crisp bite to it now that December was just around the corner.
Unfortunately, climbing out of the tractor was a lot tougher than climbing into it. He judged the distance to the first landing and hobbled to turn around.
“Here,” his dad said as he handed up a crutch.
Stupid crutches. He’d burn them the moment he didn’t need them anymore. Nora wasn’t the only one who hated being dependent on someone or something else. Clint understood exactly how hard it was for her to accept his help. He just hoped she didn’t burn him as soon as the dust settled.
She wouldn’t do that. Would she?
Hobbling down from the tractor cab was probably humorous to watch, but Clint’s dad didn’t crack a smile. In fact, he didn’t look up from the salt block he was chaining to the tractor. “Did you cut the legs for the Hackett’s table already?”
“No, but Nora said she’d help me when she gets off work today.”
His dad nodded. “How’s she doing?”
That was a fantastic question. How was she doing after he made the bold and probably idiotic move to kiss her under the mistletoe last night? Unfortunately, he had no idea because they hadn’t gotten a chance to talk after she turned his world into a firework show almost twenty hours ago.
Clint propped an arm on his crutch, trying his best not to alert his dad to the mayday alarm going off in his head. “Good. I guess.”
“She settling in, or has she found a new place?” his dad asked .
Come to think of it, she hadn’t mentioned her house search in about a week or so. “I haven’t heard that she found anything yet.”
“Well, just make sure she knows she and Hank are welcome to stay. I know you’ve given up your place for the time being, but we can always talk about building another cabin out there by yours.”
He’d never questioned his parents’ willingness to help Nora and her dad, but his dad’s affirmation calmed the impatience inside him. “Thanks. I’ll make sure she knows. I don’t know if she wants to make this her permanent home though.”
His dad shrugged. “Never hurts to ask. I figure Hank and Nora are just as much a part of this family as any of us are, so they’re welcome to stay.”
Would she even want to stay? He might have royally messed everything up by kissing her last night.
Did he regret it? Not yet. That would all depend on how she reacted the next time they had a chance to talk.
Was it the best moment of his life? Absolutely. He’d been wondering what it would be like to kiss Nora for years now, but all his imaginings couldn’t hold a candle to the real thing, even if it only lasted five-point-three seconds.
Clint shook his head and tried to focus back on what his dad was talking about. He’d gotten caught daydreaming about the kiss all day, and his dad was going to know something was up if he didn’t get his act together. “I appreciate you letting them stay.”
“Anytime. How are things going with the new stables?”
“Not a lot to report. I’m considering scaling back after this surgery.”
Okay, so that was only half the truth. Yes, the surgery would be a nice hit to his bank account, and the big chunk of change he’d handed out to clear Hank’s debts was another blow, but the finances weren’t the only things holding him back.
He needed to know where Nora was headed before he made plans for the future. So what if he didn’t have a claim to her other than friendship? She was in a holding pattern now that she was back in town and planning to stay. He’d kind of hoped she’d help him with the training center, but so far he hadn’t gathered up the courage to ask her.
“It’ll all come in time. I know you’ve been itching to get this business off the ground for a while now, but it’s always smart to wait on the Lord’s time.”
The Lord’s time. That was one thing Clint hadn’t factored into his dreams of running an equestrian therapy center. His dad’s reminder was a swift punch in the gut.
“You’re right. It’ll all come together, just maybe not right now.”
Clint’s dad nodded. “I’ll keep praying. Let me know if you need anything. ”
Clint’s phone in his chest pocket vibrated, and he pulled it out. Nora’s name lit up the screen and sent his heart into overdrive.
“Sorry, I need to take this.”
His dad waved him off as he turned. “I’m heading in. See you later.”
Clint leaned against the tractor and answered the call. “Hey.”
“Hey. Are you busy?”
Her voice was light and upbeat. That had to be a good sign.
“Nope. Just finished feeding the cattle. What’s up?”
“The first Christmas movie of the season is premiering tonight. I’m almost back to the ranch.”
Okay, she was acting like the kiss didn’t happen. Was that good or bad? “I’ll be over in about ten.”
“Oh, and we need to talk about some things,” she added as if the words didn’t flip his world upside down.
Shoot. She wasn’t going to let him get away with stealing the kiss. He should have waited until she was ready. “Right. I’ll be there soon.”
She ended the call, and Clint didn’t rush over to the four-wheeler. He wasn’t in a hurry to face Nora, since the future of their relationship hung in the balance.
The kiss had been amazing–better than anything he could have imagined. Every cell in his body had sparked to life, and he’d been walking around like an electric fence ever since.
But no amount of awesome was worth losing Nora. Hopefully, she’d let him beg for her forgiveness and forget it ever happened.
Her truck was already parked in front of the cabin when he pulled up. He took his time stretching out his frozen muscles before grabbing his crutches off the back where he’d tied them down with a bungee cord.
You can do this. Just be honest. You had an out-of-body experience. You lost your mind for half a minute. You were being controlled by aliens. Your brain short-circuited.
Yeah. Any of those excuses should get him the slap in the face he deserved. Nora was organizing a come-to-Jesus meeting right now, and he was trudging up to her door. Maybe she’d let him beg for mercy first.
He gave the door two knocks before opening it. He strode right inside, but there wasn’t any sign of Nora. Should he take his coat and boot off or wait to see how the talk went?
“I’ll be right out! Make yourself at home.”
Clint chuckled. This was his home, but as far as he was concerned, anything that belonged to him was Nora’s too. He looked around the cabin. She hadn’t really made herself at home yet. Everything seemed to be just as he’d left it .
Needing something to do to keep his mind off the uncomfortable conversation coming his way, he hung his coat and hat on the rack by the door and hobbled over to the couch. He pulled off his work boot from his good foot and eyed the other, encased in the bulky walking boot. All of the restraints had him clawing at his skin.
Nora’s soft footsteps drifted through the small cabin before she stepped out of what had once been his bedroom. Her dark hair fell in perfect waves, and was she wearing makeup?
Okay, seeing her done-up immobilized him at the one moment when he needed a clear head. All worries about what she’d say or which way she’d kick him out the door flew out the window when she looked up at him.
What was he supposed to be doing? Right, groveling.
Clint stood, resting his weight on his uninjured foot and brushed a hand over his hair. He’d worn a hat all day, and it was probably sticking out in every direction.
“Listen, I know we need to talk. I hope I didn’t scare you off. I just… I…”
Lord, now would be a good time to send words!
“I… I…”
Nora stepped up to him and pressed her fingertip against his lips. “Stop.” The word wasn’t sharp or harsh. It was soft and soothing, like a warm blanket on a winter day.
Clint did as he was told and quit trying to dig himself out of the hole he’d fallen into. Having her finger on his lips only magnified the warmth spreading from his chest throughout the rest of his body.
Nora didn’t look like she was about to rip his head off for kissing her, and he had to hope she was in a forgiving mood.
She took a deep breath and relaxed her shoulders. “You didn’t run me off,” she whispered.
Her finger slowly fell from his lips, and he caught her wrist before she could move away. Her quick pulse beat like a war drum beneath her delicate skin against his palm. “Please. Forgive me,” he begged. “I can’t lose you.”
Nora raised her free hand and slid it behind his neck. Gently, she pulled him down to her and pressed her lips against his. His grip tightened on her wrist, and his other hand slid around her waist like he’d done it a million times.
She inched closer, and he released her wrist to wrap his other arm around her. Every move of her lips against his lit a fire inside him he had no desire to control.
She’d made her move, and Clint took full advantage. This kiss wasn’t anything like the last one. It was hurried and desperate. Years of pent-up tension gave way as he kissed her. He had a lot of time to make up for, and she met him match for match.
She was a spring of cool water, and he’d been wandering in the desert his entire life.
Nora pulled back and gasped for air. “Clint, we should talk.”
Her words pulled him out of the haze, and he blinked rapidly, trying to focus on something other than the relief flooding his central nervous system.
He swallowed hard. “Right. Talk.”
She pressed her hands to her cheeks. “What are we doing?”
“Kissing. It’s fantastic. I’m going to write a song about it later.”
“I’m serious.”
“I am too. Would you prefer a poem? I could give that a shot.”
She grabbed his shoulders. “Clint, what are we doing?”
He sucked in deep breaths as he searched his brain for the answer. “Something we should have done a long time ago.”
“Really?”
The uncertainty in her voice had him tightening his hold on her waist. “Nora, you’ve always been the one for me. I meant to tell you sooner, but you’ve had a lot going on.”
“You’re my best friend, and I don’t want to lose you. I can’t. ”
Clint leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “That won’t ever happen. No matter what, I’ll always be here for you. I don’t want you to feel like your home at the ranch is tied to me. Whether we’re friends or more, you can stay here as long as you need.”
She rested her forehead against his chest. “I’ve been looking for a place, but I haven’t found one I can afford.”
“Then just stay here,” Clint said as he rubbed a hand over her back.
She quickly raised her head. “I can’t. This is your house.”
“No, what’s mine is yours. Dad actually mentioned building another cabin.”
She shook her head. “We couldn’t afford it.”
“Listen, the ranch is doing fine. He wouldn’t have mentioned it if he wasn’t sure we could swing it. I should be getting back on both feet just in time for calving season. If we have a good hay season next summer, I could start on a new place in the fall.”
“This is nuts,” Nora whispered.
“No, it’s not. You’ll always have a home here.”
Nora stared at him for a few seconds with her lips pressed together. “I can’t lose you.”
“You won’t. Do you trust me?”
She exhaled a long breath. “I do, but this is terrifying.”
He pulled her in and rested his chin against her head. “Come on. It’s always been me and you. It always will be. You mean more to me than anyone in this world.”
“Same. Can you do me one favor?” she asked.
“Anything.”
“Don’t let me screw this up. I’m kind of a mess.”
He pressed a kiss to her hair and whispered, “But you’re my mess.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “I can’t believe we kissed. It’s like I’m dreaming.”
Clint cupped her face in his hands and leaned down, stopping an inch from sealing his lips to hers. “Let me make your dreams come true.”
She let out a howling laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Not ridiculous. Totally serious. It’s my mission in life. I’ll put it on my business cards.”
Nora rolled her eyes, and the smile continued to light up her eyes. “Are we going to watch the movie or what?”
“Is that code for make out on the couch? If so, then yes.”
She playfully pushed against his chest as she backed away. “That’ll be fun until my dad walks in and catches us.”
Clint reached for her, catching hold of her wrist and pulling her back in. “Forget the old timeline for the new cabin. I’ll hire a contractor to build it this winter. Problem solved. No interruptions.”
She gave in and kissed him again, slow and steady, unlike his heartbeat. When she pulled back, she whispered, “I actually do want to watch the new movie tonight.”
Clint groaned. “Fine, but I get more kisses after, right?”
The smile on her face said there would be plenty of kissing in their future, but Clint didn’t wait an extra second before pulling Nora back into his arms.