Distraction by Tess Oliver Page B

and chest.
    His green eyes had darkened and his expression seemed
to be teasing me, coaxing me to touch him. His smooth chest rose
and fell with every breath he took. A smile cracked the side of his
mouth and then he took several steps back. His broad shoulders
tightened as he reached for the button on his denim pants.
    He smiled up at me. “I’m rolling these off next,
Sweetie. Maybe you should go inside and change.”
    The screen door slammed shut behind me as I swept
inside and nearly flew to my room. There was still soapy water in
my basin, and I peeled off the mud-stained clothes and plunged my
hands into the water. I gave my face a few splashes as well, more
to cool the heat of my blush than to remove the grime.
    My fingers trembled as I buttoned up the front of my
dress. My reaction to Cade had astonished me. I’d grown up in a
village that was nearly obsessed with being pious, chaste, and
cold, but I’d grown up in a house where love, affection, and
passion were discussed freely. Our cottage had been a tiny oasis of
thought and curiosity. Nonni had told me all about men and their
desires. What I truly hadn’t understood was that women could
experience these same desires. Until now, my only interactions with
men had been unwanted advances from Angus and clumsy, awkward
gestures from Alexander. Until now, my only interactions had left
me feeling either repelled or humored. Until now. . .
    ***
    Cade did not return to the house for the remainder of
the afternoon, which had allowed me to regain my composure but at
the same time disappointed me. I knew it was completely absurd to
allow myself strong feelings for him. It would not be long before
Nonni showed up and then I’d be leaving Montana for good. But I
could not stop thinking about Cade Tanner.
    The chickens scurried around the hem of my dress and
bobbed their heads up and down as I showered the scratch around the
yard. The rooster patrolled the perimeter, keeping a watchful eye
on his hens. Samuel was unloading the wagon. Charlotte and her
friend, Virginia, had arrived and were inside sharing a cup of tea
with Libby. Cade and Jackson were nowhere in sight.
    I finished feeding the chickens and had gotten the
idea in my head to bring Red a treat. I walked into the kitchen.
Charlotte and Libby sat at the table with their visitor. Virginia
was a tall, statuesque woman with an elegant manner, but
surprisingly, her voice did not match the rest of her. It was
rather sharp and almost harsh.
    “Virginia,” Libby said brightly, “this is Poppy. I’m
sure Charlotte mentioned her to you.”
    Virginia’s dark brow raised, and she shot a rather
purposeful glance at Charlotte, who returned the same expression to
her friend. “Nice to meet you, Poppy. Welcome to Montana. Will you
be staying long?”
    Her question caught me off guard. “Not long.”
    That response produced a tight, yet relieved, smile
from Virginia. “Shame.” Virginia sipped some tea and then glanced
out the window to the yard. “I declare, Cade must be hiding out
there somewhere.”
    Libby stood and went to the kettle. “He’ll be back
for supper. I can assure you of that. He might even be here earlier
if he hears that you’ve baked him his favorite checkerboard cake.”
Libby leaned over a basket that stood on the counter. “It smells
delicious.” She looked at me and pointed to the tea kettle.
    I shook my head. “No thank you, Libby. I was
wondering if it would be all right if I picked a carrot from your
garden. I wanted to give Red a treat for putting up with my awkward
riding skills today.”
    “You don’t know how to ride?” Virginia asked.
    “I told you she’s from back east,” Charlotte
said.
    “Yes, but certainly they have horses in
Massachusetts.” Virginia’s laugh was as unmelodious as the tone of
her voice.
    Charlotte leaned over and, with the ridiculous notion
of thinking she was being discreet, whispered something into
Virginia’s ear. Virginia’s mouth drew into a