When the pilot announced the plane would soon land, they both glanced at their watches. They’d made up most of the lost time.
“I’ve enjoyed this flight more than any I have in a long time, Kenzie. Thank you for talking with me,” Tate said as they landed and gathered their things in anticipation of leaving the plane.
“It was nice to visit with you, Tate. I hope you do well at the rodeo.” She genuinely wanted him to win. It was hard to remain cool and aloof around such a warm, inviting personality.
Despite the alarms sounding in her head to stay far away from him, Kenzie was grateful she had the opportunity to meet the charming cowboy.
“I do, too. It’s a long way to go to not at least place,” Tate said with the grin Kenzie was starting to think of as his trademark.
Some irrational part of her wanted to kiss each dimple in his scruffy cheeks.
Together they hurried through the airport. When they arrived at the point where they would go their separate ways, Tate shifted his bag and placed his free hand on Kenzie’s arm, pulling her to a stop. Gently taking her hand in his, he smiled, trying to ignore the powerful force surging from their joined fingers up his arm.
“I hope we run into each other again.” He sincerely hoped he would see the beautiful girl another time. Although he’d just met her, he knew she would linger in his thoughts.
“That would be nice.” Suddenly, she felt very shy. “You never know when we’ll meet at the airport.”
“Sure don’t, since we both seem to travel frequently.” Tate raised an eyebrow at Kenzie, giving her a beseeching look while shrugging his broad shoulders. “Wish me luck?”
“Of course.” She smiled and squeezed the hand he still held. Thoughts of how nice his palm fit against hers infiltrated her resolve to walk away and not give Tate another thought. “Good luck.”
“I meant a good luck kiss.” The smile he bestowed on her had charmed many women into doing his will.
“Oh, I… um…” With a slim likelihood of seeing the handsome rodeo star again, Kenzie desperately wanted to kiss him. Before she could talk herself out of doing something crazy and completely out of character, she placed a warm, moist kiss to Tate’s enticing mouth then stepped back. Her lips sizzled from the brief contact.
“Ride ‘em, cowboy.” Flushed, her cheeks burned as she turned and started walking away from temptation dressed in a cowboy hat and snug-fitting jeans.
“Kenzie!” Tate called after her, stunned by the impact of the kiss.
When she stopped and looked over her shoulder, he shot her a teasing grin. “Make them all dewy-eyed, Miss Dewdrop.”
Kenzie laughed and waved before racing toward baggage claim. Nearly running through the airport, she caught a taxi and made it to her meeting with five minutes to spare.
Available on Amazon
Books by Shanna Hatfield
FICTION
HISTORICAL
Baker City Brides
Tad’s Treasure
Crumpets and Cowpies
Thimbles and Thistles
Corsets and Cuffs
Bobbins and Boots
Lightning and Lawmen
Pendleton Petticoats
Dacey
Aundy
Caterina
Ilsa
Marnie
Lacy
Bertie
Millie
Dally
Quinn
Hearts of the War
Garden of Her Heart
Home of Her Heart
Dream of Her Heart
Hardman Holidays
The Christmas Bargain
The Christmas Token
The Christmas Calamity
The Christmas Vow
The Christmas Quandary
The Christmas Confection
The Christmas Melody
CONTEMPORARY
Learnin’ The Ropes
Love at the 20-Yard Line
QR Code Killer
Rose
Saving Mistletoe
Taste of Tara
Friendly Beasts of Faraday
Scent of Cedar
Tidings of Joy
Boughs of Holly
Wings of an Angel
Grass Valley Cowboys
The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan
The Cowboy’s Spring Romance
The Cowboy’s Summer Love
The Cowboy’s Autumn Fall
The Cowboy’s New Heart
The Cowboy’s Last Goodbye
Holiday Brides
Valentine Bride
Summer Bride
Rodeo Romance
The Christmas Cowboy
Wrestlin’ Christmas
Capturing Christmas
Barreling Through Christmas
Chasing Christmas
Racing Christmas
Silverton Sweethearts
The Coffee Girl
The Christmas Crusade
Untangling Christmas
Welcome to Romance
Blown Into Romance
Sleigh Bells Ring in Romance
The Women of Tenacity
A Prelude (Short Story)
Heart of Clay
Country Boy vs. City Girl
Not His Type
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Steve the Mule
NONFICTION
Farm Girl
Fifty Dates with Captain Cavedweller
Recipes of Love
Savvy Entertaining
Savvy Autumn Entertaining
Savvy Holiday Entertaining
Savvy Spring Entertaining
Savvy Summer Entertaining
About the Author
Hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield spent ten years as a newspaper journalist before moving into the field of marketing and public relations. Sharing the romantic stories she dreams up in her head is a perfect outlet for her love of writing, reading, and creativity. She and her husband, lovingly referred to as Captain Cavedweller, reside in the Northwest.
Shanna loves to hear from readers.
Connect with her online:
Blog: shannahatfield.com
Facebook: Shanna Hatfield’s Page
Shanna Hatfield’s Hopeless Romantics Group
Pinterest: Shanna Hatfield
Email: [email protected]
Check out the Friendly Beasts Pinterest board to see the images that helped inspire the story!
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