26. Fable

Chapter 26

Fable

S unday is an off day for most of the people who work at Circle Bee so it's a pretty quiet day. There's no breakfast this morning since Mel has the day off. Instead, I find a bowl of fruit on my little porch banister. I don't know who left it for me, but there are apples, oranges, and some strawberries inside that I take advantage of.

When I'm at a loss for what else to do, I decide it's as good of day as any to do my stretches outside. The mountain air is something different altogether. There's a chill on the wind warning that winter is just around the corner. The tops of the mountains have a little bit of snow, but I bet they look even more beautiful in the winter, when they're completely covered in snow. Too bad I won't get to see it. In two weeks, I'll be heading back home.

I'm in the grass, stretching my legs out, when Jethro climbs to his feet, alert. I glance over my shoulder and smile at Gunnar when he appears in sweatpants and a t-shirt. Mr. Frizzle sits on his shoulder as usual, happy to ride around.

"Mind if I join you?" Gunnar asks.

I blink up at him. "I'm just doing stretches."

"Well, I could always use some stretching. What is this? Yoga?"

"Uh. . . yeah," I answer hesitantly. "You wanna do yoga with me?"

"Why not?" he asks. "I'll follow your lead, Florida Girl."

We don't talk about the black sedan. I haven't even spoken with any of the guys about my anxiety attack. I've been wanting to thank Trent, but I haven't seen him. He's been completely avoiding me since last night, his garage door closed. This is the first time I've hung out with anyone since.

I continue through my routine, working through my breathing, and Gunnar follows along. Mr. Frizzle just sits between us, happy to be here. Jethro flips over on his back and wiggles around, as if he's trying to copy what we're doing.

"This is boring," Gunnar comments.

I snort out a laugh. "Well, it's yoga. It's meant to be calm."

"I have a better idea," he says, leaping to his feet and reaching down to drag me up. Once I'm standing, he picks up Mr. Frizzle.

"I'm not finished," I complain as he grabs my hand and drags me toward the barn. I perk up, but just when I think he's going to take me to the locked door, he turns and leads me around to the stables instead.

"We just got these in yesterday. Colt wanted to work his dogs with them, but they're in my care until they're big enough." He pops open a stable door and I blink in surprise as a bunch of tiny little faces bleat at me and come running.

"Oh my god," I cry. "Look at them!"

At least a dozen baby goats come tumbling out of the stable, making little sounds as they rush around us.

"I've seen what you city folk like," Gunnar grins. "Goat yoga is a thing."

He gestures to the floor, and I get down in the downward dog position. Immediately, a baby goat jumps up on my back and I start to giggle as his little hooves dance across my back.

"Okay, you were right," I admit as another goat sniffs at my face. "This is better."

"See," he answers, getting into the same position.

The rest of the workout goes like that. The baby goats cluster around us, climb on top of us when they're able to, nibble at my clothing so I have to swat at them a little with giggles. It's the most adorable workout session I've ever had. I'm trying to stretch my back out when three goats jump up on top at the same time. I collapse, laughing, dragging Gunnar with me as we both fall. We're laughing so hard, tears spring to my eyes. Gunnar rolls over to me, the little goats dancing away. I look up at him and find he's smiling gently down at me. My heart skips a beat.

No words are exchanged. Gunnar just leans over and presses a kiss to my lips. It's a soft one, a peck really, and he pulls away before I can even register it happened. I blink up at him, surprised, but then I lean up and he meets me halfway as we kiss again.

His hand goes to my hip and drags me closer to him, his fingers forming indents in my skin as he holds me tightly. His lips dance with mine, his tongue begging for entrance. When I allow it, he sweeps inside and consumes me completely. His other hand trails up to the base of my skull, his fingers twisting in my hair.

A little goat bleats in my ear, and I jerk back, immediately laughing as I realize we're still surrounded by the babies.

Gunnar presses his forehead against mine, both of us breathing too fast. "You gonna let me take you on a real date, Florida Girl?" he asks.

I smile. "Is this you asking me officially?"

"Hell yeah, it is," he laughs. He presses a quick kiss against my lips again.

"Then my answer is yes."

" That's my girl ," Jinx says and from the corner of my eyes, I see her fist pump into the air. " You get that cowboy dick! "

I chuckle and press closer to Gunnar as the baby goats dance around us.