"I don't want to be your friend," and he inched closer to her. "How did you feel about me before I told you this?"
Caitlin stared, speechless. Now he decides to kiss me. Amazing. "Your timing is horrible. You drop a bombshell and then want to know my feelings toward you? Why should I say a word when you fail to give me insight as to your feelings? Why didn't you kiss me that day at the pond?"
He shrugged and slightly turned from her. "The day of Marshall's funeral, I saw my dear sweet Caitlin, a young, innocent girl who was suddenly left alone. In a few short days, you transformed into a beautiful, independent woman with a plan to create a wonderful and successful ranch. You are still caring, youthful, loving, and a true spit-fire." He chuckled but then took a deep breath. "How can I have thoughts of kissing you and holding you? You're Marshall's granddaughter, and I'm almost old enough to be your father."
Caitlin shook her head and tried not to smile, but found the task impossible. No matter how angry he made her, he knew the way to rekindle the flame. "Okay, so you're ten years older than me, but you are not my father. Though I am his granddaughter, I am still a woman."
"That's the problem. Am I a foolish man trying to recreate his youth?"
"What are you saying?"
"This." He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. His lips found hers in a gentle, loving nature that caressed her heart.
"Now you know how I feel," he said and then left her alone in the dark night.
Suddenly everything in this place, the place she had called home for thirty years, no longer seemed safe or right. Now two men were vying for her heart and soul and she wondered where it would lead her. They were different men, igniting passion on two levels. Which one had her heart? Which one had her soul? Could one man have both?
"What if I lose me in this process?" she asked while packing her bags. It seemed like running away, but she needed to get away from the situation to better grasp it. Though something told her it would take years to unravel this mess.
As she loaded the bag in the trunk, someone came from behind and took it. "Please don't leave me."
"I have to. You left me no choice."