AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Together they fed and watered the sheep, goats, llamas, and horses. As they worked, they lightheartedly shared stories about her father, their families and people they mutually knew from town.
“You mentioned you live in the city now. What city do you call home?” Ben asked with curiosity as he leaned on the gate, resting his arms on the top rung.
“Toronto. I moved there about ten years ago.” She replied, patting one sheep on the head.
Ben gave her a warm smile as he picked up the hose to fill up the water troughs. “What brought you there?”
“Art School. I loved it so much there, I decided to stay,” she replied thoughtfully.
“Loved?” Ben questioned.
“Yeah.” she hesitated. “I mean, I still love Toronto but lately I haven’t felt very inspired there.”
His eyebrows raised in question, and he stopped what he was doing, giving her his full attention.
“I am an artist. A painter actually and my last gallery showing was three years ago. It has been a while since I have painted. I hope a change in scenery will help.”
Ben nodded, acknowledging her reasoning and Ever continued. “With my dad passing and having to figure out what to do with his estate, I figured now was as good a time as any to come back. Not sure what I am going to do yet.”
Ben glanced her way, taking a moment to process her admission, then spoke. “Obviously I love Prairie Sky and my job here, but don’t let me sway your choice,” he offered. “I will be fine with whatever you decide.”
“What are you going to do if I decide to sell Prairie Sky?”
Ben leaned against the gate, crossing his legs, formulating his answer to her question. “Well, I have a Bachelor of Arts in Agriculture and Business.” Ben replied. “So, I have a few options. The dream is to own a farm one day, though.”
“So, this farm hand thing isn’t just a job for you?” she asked with a playful wink.
“Not at all.” Ben laughed. “After I graduated, I worked for a few businesses, including my family hardware store, which my brother now manages; Hastings Hardware.”
Ever nodded, knowing the store he was referring to.
“Your father was looking for help both with the farm work and with managing the business end. So, he hired me. That was seven years ago now. I live just down the way, about four miles west of here.”
“So, you are a Primrose High Graduate?” Ever inquired, eyebrows raised as she locked the paddock gate.
Ben flashed her a huge smile. “I am. Class of 2007. I was a senior when you were a freshman.”
Ever looked up at him suddenly meeting his gaze with an amused smile curling up her lips. Ben caught her inquiring look and gave her a resigned smirk with a shrug.
“Did you know who I was back then?” Ever asked, putting her hands on her hips and jutting one hip out to the side.
Damn, she is gorgeous. Offering her a smile, he paused, knowing there was no way to deny it, and met her inquiring gaze. “I did. You were hard to forget,” he admitted.
“You liked what you saw?” she continued playfully volleying it back at him.
Ben looked away quickly as he felt his cheeks warm. How does she do that to me?
“You know you are cute when you blush.” she laughed as she picked up the feed bucket, put her hand on his muscular bicep and gave it a squeeze. “Glad I was memorable,” she continued coquettishly as strode into the barn.
Ben’s breath caught with her touch, his heart pounding in his chest as his eyes followed the sway of her hips as she walked away. The effect she was having on him was hard to describe. The attraction between them was palpable. Her presence made him both nervous and excited. A little too excited, he thought. How am I going to resist her? He asked himself as he turned to follow her.
* * *
They finished up the morning chores and, after updating Ever on the current farm business, they made their way back to the farmhouse.
“So, what’s on the agenda for you the rest of the day?” Ben inquired, glancing at his watch.
“Going into town to meet Bea for lunch at the Eazy. And you?”
