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The barn was huge, hat appeared to be an apartment above it, and the house, set back at the end of the drive, was a two-story log building with plenty of s for light

Stopping to check the address was just an excuse, a stalling tactic Linnette knew she’d taken a big risk in co risk He could slaet out She didn’t think that would happen, though More likely he’d be completely indifferent to her That was, after all, what she deserved But it didn’t matter; she had to do this, had to explain

Even now, on the verge of seeing him, she wasn’t sure what she’d say She hoped inspiration would strike when she needed it, because this was probably the most difficult conversation she’d ever had She didn’t want to be attracted to Cal, but she hadn’t been able to get him out of her mind She refused to accept that he didn’t feel the same way about her He couldn’t kiss her like that and feel nothing

Sitting by the side of the road wasn’t going to accoine and entered the driveway that led to the house Linnette had expected some sort of activity but the house looked deserted The only vehicle in sight was a battered pickup Just her luck to get up her courage to co to explore, she parked close to the house and, dropping her keys in her coat pocket, walked to the barn The doors were open and, as she approached, she heard Cal talking Apparently there was someone with hi The hair on the back of her neck went up Was his speech impediment so at her sides, Linnette one all the way inside, she saw that Cal was alone He crouched beside a huge horse--a stallion, judging by certain obvious signs--and was exa all the while His back was to Linnette, so he didn’t see her

The stallion, however, did and reared his head, alerting Cal to the fact that someone else was present

Cal straightened and glanced over his shoulder When he saw her, he dropped the horse’s foot The stallion didn’t take kindly to such neglectful treatize, Cal relove and stroked the anie was off, and she grirasped the stallion’s halter and led hi," she said when he came out

He stared at her "I d-d-don’t with a-a-ani he didn’t understand it hiotten the true purpose of her visit "How’s the hand?" she asked in a concerned voice

Cal looked at it as if he’d forgotten, and again answered with a shrug, a quick lift of his shoulders

"What about those stitches?"

"I t-took care of it"

"I can check it, if you like" Thehim a choice was a mistake "You’ve kept it clean, haven’t you?"

"I don’t need your help"

He felt strongly enough about that to be able to speak without a single hesitation

"I know, but I was in the area and thought I’d stop by" He’d probably see through that weak explanation, but it was the best she could do

"Un-in-n-n-vited?"

Linnette gestured carelessly, as though she often stopped by people’s hoive hiue, she stepped forward "Let me see your hand"

At first he seemed about to refuse She peered around the dimly lit space The inside of a barn wasn’t the best place to exao so I could take a look at this in the light?" she asked

He nodded reluctantly, then led her to the stairs and without a word, headed up to what must be his apartment When she reached the top, he let her inside The apartly spacious and modern However, it was badly in need of a woman’s touch The s had no blinds or curtains; the furniture was bulky and dark The only photographs were of horses, the only decoration a pillow at the end of the sofa

Cal pulled out a kitchen chair for her and went to the sink He lathered his hands with soap, drying them on a kitchen towel Then he sat down in the chair next to hers and laid his hand on the table, palm up He smelled of fresh hay and leather--the scent she’d noticed on hiht he’d kissed her It had acted like a powerful aphrodisiac then It did now

To disguise her attraction, Linnette exaood care of it," she said, and sers over his palainst his, Cal bristled She chose to ignore his revulsion at her touch "I don’t see any infection"

"N-none," he agreed

She looked up long enough to se in her eyes The regret, the fear of rejection, the apology He had to understand that she hadn’t found it easy to co arding his i different every day"

Cal didn’t co"

Cal seemed to tense at theyou regret?" she asked She didn’t give him the opportunity to answer, for fear of what he’d say Perhaps he regretted having kissed her

"Iin Seattle," she said "I was attracted to hi to work at the clinic, too"

He didn’t react, didn’t respond

"I kno that irl crush His interests lie elsewhere and--and as a aze for an extra-longto a whisper "I am so sorry for the way I treated you--so very sorry"

He still didn’t respond, and she read the indecision in his eyes, as if he wasn’t convinced he should trust her

"I knew al her head "You kissed me and I was afraid I know that sounds idiotic, but I was I didn’t want to be attracted to you I didn’t want to feel the things I did when you touched me" She exhaled and hoped he sensed how much it had cost her to be this honest "I even went to my dad and talked to him about you He said I should let it rest"