Page 48 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
He was still standing there, staring out at the road long after they'd gone.He should go back inside.Chester had been his last appointment of the morning, but he still needed to make his notes and check in with the techs before he went out on his afternoon calls.He should probably eat something, too.
He tilted his head to the side when he saw a truck turn in at the end of the long driveway.It wasn't a ranch truck, it was smaller, cleaner looking.It was a Chevy Colorado.He smiled—he only knew one person who drove one of those.
He reached around to tuck the back of his shirt into his jeans, pushed his shirtsleeves up a little higher, took his hat off and ran his hand through his hair before putting it back on again.Then, he made himself stop fidgeting and wait.
She didn't have any animals—domestic or otherwise, so she could only be here to see him.
A rush of warmth filled his chest when he remembered walking her out last night.He'd thought he was going to kiss her.He'd wanted to.The moment had felt right—except that there was something off about it.It wasn't Harper.He felt like he'd gotten to know her a little better over the course of the afternoon, and as a result, he liked her even more than he had before.It wasn't him—he'd already decided that if and when the moment came, he wanted to kiss her.As they'd stood there awkwardly, saying goodbye, it had finally hit him what the weird feeling was.They were being watched—and he knew who by.
He didn't blame the girls, whatever their motivation—whether they were excited or wary.This was the first time he'd dated anyone since their mom.They weren't spying on him so much as they were looking out for him—and wanting to know what the future might hold.
When Harper's truck came to a stop in front of him, he smiled as she jumped out and came to greet him.He had to admit that she made him curious about the future, too.
"Hey, Harper."
"Hey."She held up a paper bag from the bakery and said, "Rocket asked me to drop these off for Janey since I was passing."
"Oh, okay."The weight of disappointment that settled in his chest took him by surprise."She should be finished soon, I..."He turned away, about to show her to Janey's office.
"Emmett, wait."She caught his arm and the touch of her fingers on his skin sent shivers down his spine in the best way.
She stepped closer and met his gaze."I might be about to blow this, but I have to tell you—the cookies were an excuse."
"For what?"
She blew out a sigh."Make me say it, why don't you?Delivering them to Janey gave me an excuse to come over here and see you."
A smile spread across his face."You don't need an excuse."
"I don't?"Her smile mirrored his.
"No.In fact..."He looked around.There was no one out here.Janey would still be with Anna Peterson and George, her yellow Lab, for a while.
He stepped toward her, putting them toe to toe.He smiled down at her."I always thought you were taller."
She chuckled."Probably because I have such a big personality."
"Yeah, probably."He reached up and ran his palm over her cheek."I don't think I've ever said it, but you're beautiful, Harper."
To his surprise, she burst out laughing.She sobered up quickly and waved a hand at him."Sorry, it's just that you kind of did once.Do you remember that awful business with Jim's nephew?"
"I do."Gavin had taken Harper, Jim, and Shelley at gunpoint.Emmett had helped the guys to rescue them.He'd broken into the back of the cabin where they were being held—and been attacked himself—Harper had pounced on him, brandishing a doorstop, which she'd just used to knock Gavin to his knees.
She laughed again."You said I was like a mountain lion—beautiful but ferocious.That has to be my favorite compliment ever."
He chuckled."That's good to know because at the time you asked if I'd just called you a cougar!"
"Oh!I did, didn't I?But I'm not because…wait, how old are you?"
"Fifty-eight."
"Me, too.So we're good."
"We're more than good.Are you done talking?"
Her eyes widened indignantly."I might be, I might not be.Why do you...Oh!"
He cupped her cheek in his hand again and leaned in.Her hand came up to grip his shoulder.
