“You’re not coming in?’ Suzanne asked when Grady kept the engine running.

“In a bit. I’ve got to check on a bull.”

She quirked an eyebrow at him, her expression disbelieving. “Really?”

“Yes,” Grady said, his voice steely, his gaze on hers. “It’s why I was late this morning. I had to get the vet in and now yes, I’m sorry, but I’ve got to check on the animal.”

“Oh…crap, sorry. Of course you have to deal with a sick animal. Why didn’t you say anything this morning, for god’s sake?”

Because keeping her at arm’s length was easier when she was pissed at him than when her eyes were all sympathetic and her mouth was all soft and kissable. Grady shrugged. “We were in a hurry.”

For a moment, Grady thought she was going to push back against his excuse, but then she nodded and glanced away, reaching for her seat belt and unclicking it. “I’ll see you later.”

On impulse, he grabbed her hand as she opened the door and turned away. “It’s just in the yards behind the barn, so it shouldn’t take me long. Let’s talk when I get in.” She glanced over her shoulder, her gaze settling on their hands. Grady admired how they fit together before remembering how he’d dropped that very hand like a hot coal this afternoon when he’d realized everyone’s eyes were on them. It had been purely reactionary—muscle memory from years of rigid control over how he acted in public. But he’d sensed her stiffen, felt her withdrawal, and he knew he’d hurt her.

Which wasn’t what he’d wanted. He just wanted things to get back to normal around here, damn it.

“Okay,” she murmured, her hand slipping out of his as she slid out of the pickup and shut the door.He wondered with a sudden thump to his solar plexus if she’d slip out of his life as easily.

Grady was back within the hour. Suzanne was sitting on the couch reading but obviously waiting for him as she sprang to her feet. Part of him had hoped she’d given up and gone to bed and they could just avoid this conversation altogether even though he’d suggested it. He’d even contemplated lingering in the barn, but he’d never been a coward, and he wasn’t about to start now.

She’d changed into those plaid pajamas he knew he was going to be dreaming about for a very long time, and he felt conspicuous in his Ho one Henley after he’d shrugged out of his coat.

“Is the bull okay?”

“Yep. Much improved.”

“Oh…that’s good.”