I cast my eyes towards Conner. It was the first time all evening that I had allowed myself to risk a glance in his direction for fear that someone notice the anticipation in my eyes. Like he sensed it, his gaze turned immediately to me. The intensity of his eyes held me until Steven spoke, breaking the connection. “Thank you for covering for me today.” “It was no trouble Steven,” Conner replied turning his attention back to his dessert of apple pie. “Well, tomorrow I need to make another trip into town. It should be a short one. If you want to come along we can look around town once I am done?” Conner did not even hesitate in his reply. “Actually Steven,” Conner turned looking at me then back to Steven, “Francesca has agreed to show me around on horseback tomorrow, perhaps some other time?” Butterflies stared fluttering in my stomach. He wanted to spend the day with me. I could not believe it. I figured at the very least Conner was bored and that was the reasoning behind his wager.
