The Love Barn

Scarlett CLUTCHED HER brother's clothes to her chest and stared at the doorway leading to the hall bathroom where her unexpected guest was showering.Holy... Just-holy.When she'd stared at that man she'd stopped thinking, lost in eyes that were a light green. Or blue? Kind of minty. She'd been caught completely off guard by him. Then the stupid pig bolted. The neighbors had probably arrived home which meant the possibility of food and Scarlett had gotten a lot more acquainted with her would-be rescuer.It said a lot about her relationship status that having a random, attractive man fall on her was about as good as she'd gotten lately. She was in need of some help if her mind equated that with being held. But then he'd scrambled off her and any fantasy she'd have harbored was gone.The image of mud-boob prints on his cheeks would be burned into her memory. Even now her cheeks heated thinking about it. God, why were these things always happening to her? Couldn't she be a normal

Cole SAT SHOTGUN in Scarlett's Jeep, the cracked window blowing warm air on his face, which was not helping him cool down. He glanced at his chauffer, her hair dancing wildly in the wind.Every time he looked at her the world felt as though it fell away and all that mattered was her, this moment. He hadn't touched her and somehow sharing space with her felt intimate.Guilt bit into him.A couple of weeks ago he'd been engaged to another woman. A woman who now barely registered in his thoughts.Cole had to get a grip on his thoughts.Puppies.He should focus on that.Damn he missed going home to a dog. His old lab had passed away months ago and his new dog had bonded more with Allie seeing as how she was at home all day. Sometimes he wondered if he missed the corgi mix pup more than his fiancé. That was rather telling, but he wasn't ready to examine those feelings. He'd rather get on with it, settle into his new life and leave Allie behind."Sorry about the AC. It's gett

Scarlett WINCED WHEN she saw both of her cousin's trucks in the drive.Of course they were back. She couldn't just slip in, grab her painting clothes then get out before either of the guys cornered her. Neither had texted her, but she knew the rumor mill had to have reached them about Cole and the canceled wedding.She shifted the Jeep into park and slumped in her seat, staring at the trees that had grown up around the house, providing a nice, shaded area.What the hell had happened to her today?It wasn't unusual for Scarlett to find a connection with someone. She fell hard and fast for men, sometimes without them knowing. But today? That chemistry? It was off the charts, and he'd felt it, too. She'd seen it in the way he looked at her, and then she'd gone and touched him. It had been an automatic thing, she hadn't thought about it, but when their hands connected, it was as if her body were on fire.This was bad.She shut her eyes and pushed thoughts of Cole down deep.R

Cole PUSHED UP on the handlebars, enjoying the breeze against his skin. He couldn't stop smiling. His first day at the job, and while it hadn't been a cakewalk, the staff had welcomed him and his patients hadn't left scars. Starting on a Saturday where his only schedule was to handle whatever walked in the door wasn't his ideal way of easing into things, but it had gotten him into the groove fast. By the time he'd clocked out he felt like he might just like it here.It had all started with Scarlett.No.Nope.Not going there.He sat back down on the bicycle seat and pedaled.A month ago he'd been engaged. He wasn't getting involved with anyone.He steered his way into the parking lot of David's Market, a small grocery store just off Main Street not far from where he lived. It was hard to stock the pantry when he could only grab what he could carry either on foot or on the bike.Cole coasted up to the bike rack and swung his leg off."Afternoon, Doc." An elderly man li

Scarlett placed her hand in his and heat rolled through her. She got out, but he didn't let go of her immediately. He squeezed her hand and didn't let go."That." He lifted her hand and pressed his lips to her knuckles. "Is it always like this?"She swallowed, her mouth dry as he kissed each knuckle.Oh, God..."You feel it," he said.He studied her eyes, and she wanted to burst into flames. Anything would feel better than standing here wanting him."Come on, let's see about the wine." He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm then escorted her up the path to the front door and inside the house.She followed along in a daze, the smart part of her mind being drowned out by other ideas and thoughts, ones that involved Cole, sweat, heat.He closed the door behind them and let her go.Her chest felt too tight, the room too warm. It was like the oxygen had been sucked out of the room."Have a seat?" He gestured at the sofa."Thanks," she mumbled and watched him stri