31. Katie
31
KATIE
It is nearly impossible to get anything done at work when you’re in a relationship with your boss.
We’ve managed to keep it quiet around Sadie for two weeks now, but every adult on the property knows exactly what’s been going on.
Flynn has caught us in compromising positions more than once and is constantly wolf-whistling in our direction, even when we aren’t making out against the side of the barn.
At least both Dallas and I have kept our heads enough to not do anything more than kissing on the farm, so no one has caught us with our pants down.
We’re also lucky that Olivia is in full support of us, or she’d be getting way more annoyed about how long our lunch breaks at the cottage are running. Especially when we don’t actually eat any food while there and still raid the main house kitchen for sustenance.
Progress with Aurora has been as swift as progress with Dallas. She now stands quietly while I saddle and bridle her and will let me ride her around the yard. She’s also spending the majority of her time in the small paddock beside the yard, getting used to more typical fences, rather than the sturdy yard railings.
Today, Flynn is keeping an eye on us as I take Aurora into the main arena to ride for the first time. She’s wary and skittish, but eventually relaxes into our work. I’m grinning widely when I finally stop in front of Flynn and dismount.
“She’s doing great,” he says, reaching out to ruffle the horses mane. She doesn’t even flinch at his touch like she would have a month ago.
“She is.”
“So are you,” Flynn says quietly.
I freeze where I am, running the stirrups up their leathers so they don’t bang against Aurora’s sides as I lead her back the barn to untack her.
Flynn tugs on my ponytail. “You okay there, Katie Kat? I didn’t mean to break you.”
I smile, but it’s watery. “I know you didn’t. But you’re right. I’m doing good.”
“Does this thing with Dallas mean you’re staying?” His eyes are so hopeful that I’m relieved at the truth.
“Yeah, I think so. I mean, I want to. I really do. I missed this place.”
Flynn steps forward, his eyes uncharacteristically wet, and wraps me in a hug. “This place missed you, Katie Kat.”
I push away from my friend’s embrace. “Damnit Flynn.” I wipe at my eyes. “No crying on the job. ”
He laughs. “I told you Dallas was a good one.”
“You were right.” I turn and lead Aurora towards the gate.
“Could I have that in writing?” Flynn asks, jogging to catch up, then opening and closing the gate as we pass through.
“No. But do you know what Dallas does with most of that time we spend at his place?”
“Um, I’m really not sure I want to,” he says, lifting his hands as if to cover his ears. “Innocent little ears over here.”
“Yeah right,” I laugh and shove him.
“More than you’d think,” he mutters, so low I’m not sure I was supposed to hear. “What does Dallas do?” he asks at normal volume.
“He braids my hair. Over and over.”
“Well, that’s … different. I guess whatever gets your rocks off.”
“So he can do it for Sadie.” I roll my eyes. “He spends half an hour a day with me in his house alone so he can learn to braid his daughter’s hair.”
Flynn slings his arm around my shoulder. “Told ya. Good one.” When I don’t respond, Flynn notices my hesitation. “What is it?”
“I thought Toby was a good one too.”
He stiffens beside me. “He was … wasn’t he?” Flynn pulls me to a stop, turning me to face him. He doesn’t know what happened the day of the car accident. He doesn’t know how hard I fought for my relationship with Toby. I never felt like it was worth bringing it all up and airing the dirty laundry with anyone other than Olivia, who only heard about it because she ca ught me in a weak moment and I spilled my guts before I could stop myself.
“I thought so. At the start he was. He was perfect. I thought he was the love of my life. But, even before the accident, I’d lost him.”
“I’m so sorry,” Flynn said, tugging me in and wrapping his arms around me.
The warm embrace triggers something in me and before I know it, I’m sobbing against Flynn’s shirt. He stands rigid, his hand carefully rubbing my back as I heave in shaking breath after shaking breath.
Eventually I step back and wipe at my eyes. Aurora gently nudges my shoulder and I give her a soft pat, thanking her for her silent support.
“I thought it was weird you never mentioned him. Ever,” he says as we resume walking. “I figured it was just your way of handling the grief.”
“It is, but there’s too many layers to it, so much anger and hurt. I thought I was okay with it all, until I saw Max again for the first time. They’re just so alike, in looks and personality as it turns out.”
“Fucking Max,” Flynn grumbles. “No one gives a shit about Max, okay? Or Toby. The bastard. God, he was like my best friend. I can’t believe I didn’t know he was an asshole.”
I squeeze Flynn’s arm. “Flynny, I was with him for years. I lived with him for years . I didn’t find out until the day he died what he was really like.”
“Do I even want to know?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m kind of sorry I told you he wasn’t the guy you thought he was. That I ruined that for you.”
He shrugs. “You’re who matters, Katie Kat. You’re the one who’s here.”
“Yeah, which makes it sound like I’m blaming a guy who can’t defend himself.”
“Well, then the idiot shouldn’t have got into a car after drinking. I’ve always been mad at him about that. Even if you’re not supposed to be angry with your old bestie who’s no longer with us, I still am. I can’t even imagine how you must be feeling with whatever his betrayal to you was.” He lets out a long breath. “But, let’s refocus. Dallas is not like that. And if he is, I’ll have my pitchfork handy to run him out of town. We’ll keep Sadie though. I like her.”
I laugh. “Deal. I like her too. She did a barrel race yesterday.”
“Really? Man, sucks I missed it. How did she do?”
“Well, it wasn’t the slowest race I’ve ever seen,” I say with a laugh.
“Oh yeah?” Flynn knows there’s more to the story.
“Yeah. That accolade goes to her father.”
That sends Flynn into fits of giggles. “Hey, he’s trying his best.”
“That he is.” The warm, cozy glow I’ve grown accustomed to over the past couple of weeks settles over me again at the thought. I always expected that he’d blow off the riding lessons before long, but he’s sticking them out.
“Well, let me know next time Sadie’s going to do something cool. Geez, next she’ll be Grand Prix show jumping and I won’t even know she can handle trotting poles.”
I laugh and begin to untack Aurora, slipping the saddle and bridle from her body, then picking up a brush. Flynn picks up another brush and begins working on her other side.
“Flynny, what’d you mean before?” I ask.
“About what?”
“About your innocent ears and ‘more than you’d think’.”
“Oh.” He’s quiet for a long moment, studying the horse’s coat carefully. “I’m just being bitchy and jealous.”
“Jealous?”
“Yeah. You guys are a great couple. You’re so perfect for each other and with Sadie it’s like, instant family.” He lets out a long sigh. “I want that. I’ve never had it, not even close.”
“Never?”
“Nope. No girlfriend, no boyfriend. No partner of any kind. Not even hook ups. Just me. Alone.”
The addition of hook ups stuns me for a second. I thought Flynn was living it up with a variety of people, especially when he’s off on his regular surf trips. But it’s the last word that tears at my heart.
I drop the brush and step around the horse. This time it’s my turn to wrap my arms around Flynn and pull him in for a tight hug. “Not alone, Flynn, okay? Never alone.”
He hugs me back. “I know. Having you and Livvie is obviously incredible. But it’s not the same as having someone who wants to sleep in the same bed as you every night.”
“Dude, I’ve slept in the same bed as you. I don’t blame them. ”
He slaps me on the ass with his brush. “Shut up.” But he laughs.
“Come here,” I say and reach out for another hug. “It’ll happen for you, Flynny.”
“Yeah, I suppose. I guess I never really noticed how much I wanted that until I saw you with it.” He squeezes me tight, then lets me go.
“The right person will come along for you,” I say, reaching up to ruffle his hair.
He bats my hand away. “Speaking of the right person.” He tilts his head in the direction of the barn door to where Dallas is standing.
“Hey,” I call and he takes a hesitant step forward.
“I’m not interrupting anything?” He asks. “I can catch up with you later.”
“It’s all good,” Flynn says, handing me his brush. “I’ll leave you two to it. But think of Aurora, okay? She has innocent ears too.”
I laugh and toss the brush at his head. He catches it deftly and drops it in the grooming bucket.
“I’m going to go fix that fence in the Kauri paddock, okay, boss?”
“Sounds good. Give me a call if you need a hand.” Dallas pats him on the shoulder as he passes
“Should be right. Looks like you’ll have your hands full.” Flynn shoots me a smirk.
“Oh, I wasn’t offering me. I’d find someone else to help you.”
Flynn fires finger guns in Dallas’s direction. “Good call boss. I’ll catch you later, Katie Kat.” As Dallas turns back to me, Flynn points at him then shoots me a thumbs up. A moment later his motorbike flares to life and Flynn speeds off down the farm.
“That guy is chaos,” Dallas says, shaking his head.
“That he is. But we love him for it.”
Dallas smiles and nods agreement, then wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me to him. “Afternoon, gorgeous,” he says against my lips.
I lick his mouth and he opens, sliding our tongues together. I melt into him, like I do every time his lips connect with my body.
“You two okay?” He asks as he rubs his nose to the spot right under my ear, which he knows always causes shivers.
“We’re good,” I say and nip at his throat.
“Have plans for the next few hours?”
“Dunno, boss, do I?” I swipe the cap off his head and slide it over my hair, wearing it backwards.
“Punk. And yeah, you’ve got plans with me. I’ll pick you up from your place in an hour. I’m taking you on a date.”
“What’re we doing?”
“It’s a surprise.” He’s pressing open mouthed kisses down my neck and it’s making me think I should be wearing nothing when he picks me up.
“I need to know what to wear.”
“Something you like, but it’s only Kauri Creek so it doesn’t need to be red carpet. Something pretty, or sexy, or not. I don’t really care. You look stunning in everything. ”
“Alright, cowboy. That’s super helpful. I’m sure I can find something.”
“Good. I’ll see you in an hour. I’ll put Aurora in the paddock for you.”
That snaps me out of the lusty haze his mouth has trapped me in. “You will?”
“Yeah, I will. If you think she’ll be okay.”
“She’ll be fine.” I press a final kiss to his cheek. “Thank you.”
“See you soon, princess,” he says, releasing the knot holding Aurora in place and leading her from the barn, leaving me feeling a little unsettled, and a lot like I’m in love.