His gaze traveled up and down her body and came back to her face. His expression was solemn.
"You don't look like a kid."
So that was it. She sighed. "I'm sure you're the only one who noticed."
He stopped and gazed down at her. "Don't encourage him, Carmen."
She caught her breath. "I wasn't …" She stared at him. "You're jealous."
He shook his head. "I have no reason to be jealous. I know that." He reached out and took her arm. "Some people don't know the difference between being friendly and indicating personal interest."
Warmth crawled up her neck. She knew the difference. She wasn't as naïve as he thought she was. Still, maybe she should be more professional around her guests. He was right about one thing. Rob didn't need encouragement.
She stopped at the gravel drive and reached for her shoes.
"Do you think what I'm wearing is … proper?"
He looked startled, his gaze fixed on her eyes. "You look nice - casual, but professional." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't mean you should go out and buy new clothes. It wasn't my intent to make you feel uncomfortable.
She lifted her brows. "So now you're saying I shouldn't have spent the money on new clothes?"
He stared at her a moment and then smiled. "You know better than that."
He leaned down and swooped her into his arms. She giggled and put her arms around his neck.
"I missed you today," she said as she gazed up at him.
He kissed her. "I'm surprised you found the time. Did you have a nice ride?"
"Yes, but I think Gerald is a little worse for wear. I didn't realize he'd never been on a horse before. I assumed you two rode together."
He said nothing as he walked across the gravel and set her down on the porch. His gaze searched her face.
"Why would you think that?"
Taking her shoes from him, she met his puzzled gaze and shrugged.
"I guess because you're friends."
He frowned. "Yes, but we're not joined at the hip. We have different interests."
Her stomach tensed at his expression and tone. Did he resent the way she was taking over his dream? Surely he didn't think her interest in the safari was feigned. They were friends, but they were so much more. Maybe that was because they shared so many interests. His interest in the goat dairy had brought him to her in the beginning. Or was it something else? It didn't matter. The veterinary clinic was a lifelong dream he had attained. Without a doubt they shared an interest in animals. Even so, shared interest didn't define their relationship. There had been sparks from the beginning. Of course, that was physical attraction. Did he feel stifled in this relationship? Did he regret leaving that lifestyle? People change … had he changed again? He said he had different interests than Gerald, and yet … She met his troubled gaze.