Blackie drew her into his arms and swayed with her. “I’m sorry he hurt you so deeply, honey. You didn’t deserve to be treated like that.”

“You didn’t deserve what happened in your marriage, either.” Julie looked up at him. “I want to make love with you again, Blackie. Slowly this time. Will you come over to my house?”

He looked deeply into her eyes. “I’d love to. Should I bring a toothbrush and my razor?”

She realized he was asking if he would be welcome to spend the night. “Absolutely. I’m not finished with you yet.”

He laughed and let go of her. Then a horrified expression crossed his burnished features. “Oh, shit!”

“What?” Julie felt slightly panicked. “What’s wrong? What is it?”

“I didn’t use any protection. I can’t believe I was so careless.”

Julie knew people practiced safe sex for a variety of reasons, and she applauded the choice. But her and Blackie’s forgetfulness this one time didn’t strike her as being a catastrophe. “I’ve been with nobody since my divorce. Because Derek was high risk, I was tested after we split up. There’s no danger that I’m carrying an STD, and I’m also on the Pill. Not to keep from getting pregnant, obviously, because until now, I haven’t been with anyone else. I take birth control to regulate my periods. We’re safe, unless there’s something you haven’t told me.”

He released a slow breath. “No. I haven’t been to Crystal Falls for a night on the town in over three years. I know I’m clean. I was just worried about my swimmers finding a friendly little egg.”

Julie grinned at him. “Well, you needn’t worry about that. I’m ninety-nine-point-nine percent safe.”

* * *

The following morning, Erin was running late. The alarm on her phone hadn’t gone off. She had plugged in the device to charge on her nightstand last night, but she hadn’t gotten the charger cord seated properly. Her phone had gone deader than a doornail. She took the fastest shower in history, threw on her clothes, and ran so fast down the stairs that she nearly fell. Once in the kitchen, she grabbed what looked like a blueberry muffin and poured herself a cup of coffee, both of which she carried with her as she hurried from the house.

Once at the paddock fence, she glanced at her watch. It was half past eight. Normally she began working with Violet at seven sharp. They’d lost a precious hour together, and Erin wanted to kick herself for failing to make sure her cell phone was properly plugged in. She took a big bite of the muffin and chased it down with coffee that burned her tongue.

Domino appeared at her side. The dog made a habit of intercepting her when she was wolfing down one of Vickie’s creations for breakfast, and Erin knew he had his mouth all set for part of her muffin.

“Okay,” she said. “I’m an easy mark this morning, and I think blueberries are safe. I know raisins aren’t. That’s why Vickie stopped putting them in her cinnamon rolls. Because of you and your mooching habits.”