Gratitude flowed through her. “Owen, that’s the nicest offer I’ve had in a while. I would love some help.”
He threw back his shoulders. “I’ll get Stitch moved out so we can swap.”
The rest of the day passed quickly in a flurry of activity. By the time Aidan returned, she and Owen had managed to switch stalls, sterilize everything, and get Flower settled with fresh hay and water. The other horses were content, munching on dinner, and Captain Hoof was napping with Phoenix. She told him the details with Flower.
“Crap, we have to watch Phoenix carefully. Let’s not push him this week. Give him plenty of rest with easy breezes to keep him limber. What do I need to do with Flower?”
“Actually, Owen was a great assistant.” She laughed at his stunned expression. “It’s his last day, and when I tried to send him home, he asked if he could help me with Flower. I guess this summer did make a difference.”
“Told ya. Chloe didn’t hurt, either. It’s amazing what a boy can manage to do in the quest to impress a lady.”
She leaned in and stole a long, lingering kiss, enjoying the delicious fullness of his lips skating over hers. She pulled back and gave him a naughty wink. “Interesting. Looking forward to you impressing me later.”
His brow arched and a low growl escaped his throat. “You flirting with me, love?”
“You up for it, Irish?” A fizzy pleasure bubbled in her blood at the look of darkening hunger on his face. She’d actually learned how to flirt without feeling like her actions were forced or contrived. With Aidan, the banter was fun and natural.
“Always. What color today?”
The man had become officially obsessed with her underwear. She pursed her lips and pretended to think. “Hmm, don’t remember. Was it the hot-pink boy shorts? Or the peach thong?” She shrugged. “Sorry, maybe you’ll find out later.”
She tried to walk away, but he grabbed her around the waist and tried to steal a kiss while she laughed, playfully fighting him off. After a few more kisses and giggles she’d swear never happened, they took a look at the schedule for the rest of the week.
“Let’s swap turns to stay with Flower for the next few nights,” he suggested.
She nodded. “I’ll take tonight.”
He didn’t fight her, which was a complete turn-on. The man respected her decision to take care of her own. He gave her the space to be who she needed to be and never tried to change her.
She’d finally met a man who had no desire to rescue her. He knew she’d slay her own dragons, but he wanted to be there in case she needed an extra sword to borrow.
It was a heady combination.
After a late dinner, she headed back to the barn and settled herself in. Flower had a bit of a wheeze in her breath, but she’d been drinking water at least. She hated being in isolation, though, and was definitely one of her most needy companion animals. Harper laid out her sleeping bag on a fresh pile of hay as close as she could to the stall, so at least Flower knew she was near.
The creak of the barn door alerted her to company. Definitely Aidan. She opened her mouth to tell him to get his ass home and that she had things covered, but Owen walked into the barn. He carried a backpack and a rolled-up blanket.
“Owen! What are you doing here?”
He stopped a few inches in front of her. “I want to sleep here tonight. I’m worried about Flower.”
Surprise flickered. She narrowed her gaze and studied him. “Listen, Owen, you don’t have to do this to impress Chloe. I’ll be sure to mention you were amazing today with her. There’s no reason to stay—I’ve got it covered.”
A mulish expression flickered over his face, but she caught the faint blush her words had caused. Still, his mouth firmed with determination. “I think Chloe is the bomb, but I’m not here for her. Flower was the first horse to teach me not to be afraid. She’s sweet, and she takes care of everyone else on this farm. I want to help take care of her.”
Ah, crap.
She blinked back the sting of emotion from his declaration and sighed. “Fine. You can stay. I guess she wants all the company she can get, don’t you, girl?”
Owen dropped his stuff, unlatched the stall, and sank down next to the sick horse. Even through the vats, Harper watched the sweet mare press against Owen, as if sensing his strength of will to get her better. Owen crossed his legs, getting comfortable, and Harper pulled the blanket over her and closed her eyes.
A smile played on her lips.
Score another recruit for the Bishop farm.
Harper rubbed the back of her neck and tried to stretch it out. She’d spent the last two nights in the barn with Owen, watching over Flower. Thank goodness the horse was feeling better. Harper craved her own bed.
Specifically, with Aidan in it.
She opened the door, praying there were buckets of fresh coffee awaiting, and stilled at the scene in front of her.
Figaro lay sprawled out on Aidan’s lap, purring madly. He stroked her back while the dogs wrapped around his feet in a snug bundle of fur. Captain Hoof snoozed on the side of the couch, his head smooshed against Aidan’s hip, his tiny horns poking through the chicken costume. The scent of coffee hung in the air, along with eggs and greasy bacon.
His words drifted to her ears with a touch of his lyrical Irish brogue.
“I don’t know why cats have such a bad reputation. Is it so wrong to demand trust is earned rather than give it freely, without thought?” Figaro flipped over to her belly and stretched. Her paws batted in the air, demanding more petting. “You’re a big mush, but I promise not to tell. As long as you don’t tell Mom I fed you extra tuna today. Deal?”
The purring resembled a chainsaw in action, rumbling through the room with pure feline satisfaction.
He laughed. “Yeah, I love you, too.”
And then it happened.
Harper realized she was in love with Aidan O’Connor.
Her heart leaped, and her sweaty hands closed around the knob. She sucked in a ragged breath as the realization rolled through her. So stupid. She’d done everything they’d agreed not to, yet her heart had gone AWOL.
Damn him. Damn him for recognizing her inner heart and understanding her secrets and loving her animals and saving a disabled goat on his own.
Damn him.
Harper closed her eyes and fought for composure. At least he’d never have to know. She’d keep the words locked tightly inside. It wasn’t his fault she’d broken the rules, and she refused to make him feel guilty or ruin the next few months hoping he’d feel the same way.
Decision made, she schooled her features into a calm mask and shut the door hard behind her.
The dogs jolted and jogged sleepily over for their greeting. Figaro shot her a disgusted look at interrupting her nirvana, leaping gracefully out of Aidan’s lap to rub against her legs for a quick hello, then retreated back to her favorite place on the chair. Captain Hoof joined the group, butting his head against her, and she got down on the floor to give them her attention.
Aidan slid off the couch and headed toward the kitchen. “Hey, how is she doing? I’ve got your coffee ready, and a big breakfast. Not that I cooked it. But I made a special stop to Bea’s Diner, and all I have to do is heat it up. Sit down, I’ll get you set up.”