Risky Shot by Kathleen Brooks

horses. I am happy here. I wish to marry and have kids running around the farm.”
    Was it just her wishful thinking, or did he look right at her when talking about marriage and kids? The way her heart was jumping told her she sure hoped he did. “That sounds lovely. After spending time in so many different places, I have found that I long for the country again. I really missed the open air, fields of green, and trees not surrounded by concrete. The city was great when I was in college and for hitting the clubs, but not for a family. At least, not for mine.” She felt her face flush and was slightly embarrassed to have shared such intimate feelings with Mo. It wasn’t like he had asked her to marry him, but it felt like they were talking about a life with each other.
    “Well, I should let you get back to work. Would you care to have dinner with me tonight? I could pick you up after work?”
    She had to hide her grin. She loved that he blushed and got nervous asking her out, despite his normal confidence and natural swagger. “I’d love to. How about picking me up at six?”
    “Perfect,” Mo rose and walked back around the desk, “just like you.” He placed his hands on the arms of her chair and slowly leaned forward. Her eyes fell closed just before his lips met hers. His kiss was soft and sweet, almost a little unsure. She ran her tongue over his bottom lip and suddenly he seemed very sure. His kiss deepened and his tongue swept into her mouth. She felt a moan escape and melted into his kiss.
    “Wow.” Dani jerked her head back and looked toward the door when she heard someone speak. Tammy stood there holding a package and trying to hold up her jaw. “Can you teach me how to kiss like that?”
    Dani laughed when Tammy batted her eye lashes at Mo. Catching onto the joke, he chuckled too.
    “Sorry, you’re too young.” He turned back to Dani and placed quick kiss on her lips. “I’ll see you tonight.” Mo gave Tammy a wink on his way past her.
    Dani could only nod as he left.
    Tammy let out a wistful sigh and plopped herself down in the chair across from Dani. “Man, you and Kenna have all the luck. Kenna and Will, you and Mo… I’ve lived here twenty-one years and have never had a kiss like that from any one.”
    Dani smiled. It seemed like a lifetime ago she was twenty-one instead of just six years. “Let me tell you a secret,” she paused until Tammy looked at her. “No one has ever kissed me like that before and I had to wait twenty-seven years for it.”
    “Fine. I guess he’s all yours. He may be smokin’ hot, but he’s a little old for me anyway.” Tammy stood up and walked back to her desk.
    Dani shook her head and tried not to laugh at the conversation but couldn’t help it. She turned back to her computer and started working again.
    “Shoot! I am so sorry, Dani.” She looked up from her computer and saw Tammy standing in front of her with the same package in her hand that she had thirty minutes ago.
    “Sorry about what?”
    “This was delivered for you and when we started talking about hot guys and kissing, I kinda forgot to give it to you. That was the whole reason I had come back here in the first place.”
    “It’s okay. No big deal. Thanks for bringing it back to me.” She looked around her desk for something sharp as Tammy walked out.
    Not finding any scissors, Dani used her car key to rip open the tape. Who would send her a package? It was probably something for the wedding from Kenna. She pulled open the top and saw an ivory card lying on top. As she picked it up, she felt the earth give way underneath her. It felt as if her stomach was free falling and white noise filled her head.
     
    Here’s a toast for your new job. I got you something for your desk.
    Be seeing my two girls real soon. Maybe we’ll make it a party of four?
     
    With a shaky hand, she put the card on the desk and looked into the box. She took a deep breath as she pulled out the framed photo of her,