“Why are you taking the UTV? She should be riding.”
“I’m taking her to the hay field. I know it’s yours, but she asked if she could get photos of the property. It’s too much for her on a horse. Is that alright?”
“Yes.” Seth hesitated. “Do you and her have something going on?” Seth asked, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.
Cull stared at him, his eyes piercing. “Would it matter if we did?”
Seth shook his head. “No, but nothing is to go on while you’re working.”
“What the fuck, Seth? You know better than that,” Cull’s voice rose. “And, no, we do not have something going on. I figured since you’re such a prick to her, I wouldn’t be. I’ll see you later.” Cull strode through the barn and out the doors, his long shadow stretching behind him.
Seth huffed as he heard the vehicle start up and drive off, the sound of gravel crunching under tires fading into the morning air. “Idiot,” he whispered to the empty barn as he chastised himself.
****
Ryan blinked back tears, the hot sting of them burning behind her eyelids. Why did he hate her? She quickly wiped a stray tear away with the back of her hand when she saw Cull emerge from the shadowy interior of the barn. He climbed into the vehicle with a creak of worn leather seats and looked at her with concern etched across his face before starting the UTV, its engine rumbling to life.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice gentle against the mechanical growl.
“Yes. I just don’t know why he treats me like that. I never did anything to him.” Her voice cracked slightly on the last word.
Cull chuckled. “You’re here, that’s enough.”
“What do you mean?” She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
“He’s attracted to you but doesn’t want to be and it pisses him off.” His eyes held hers steadily.
“I don’t think so.” She looked down at her mud-spattered boots.
“You’re a beautiful woman, Ryan, and any red-blooded man would find you attractive.” He backed the vehicle up with ease, gravel crunching beneath the tires, then drove toward the field.
She didn’t know what she could say, the words tangling in her throat. If Seth found her attractive, why treat her like shit?
“Even if he did, he won’t do anything about it. He’s already made that clear.” Her fingers fidgeted with the frayed edge on the hem of her shirt.
“Oh?” Cull’s eyebrow arched with interest.
“He... kissed me but instantly regretted it. He won’t start something he knows will end when I leave.” The memory of Seth’s lips against hers flashed hot in her mind.
“I see.” He nodded his head, his cowboy hat shadowing his face. “I’ve known him a long time and I’ve never seen him treat anyone like that. He’s too scared to get involved with you because you’re not staying here. I can understand that.”
“I’m glad someone does.” She sighed, her breath forming a small cloud in the cool air.
“He asked me if we had something going on,” Cull said with a grin that crinkled the corners of his eyes.
Ryan chuckled. “You should have said yes and really made him mad.”
“No way. I’ve seen him mad. It’s not pretty.”
“I’ll just steer clear of him. Is there a place around here to go for a fun time?” Ryan tucked a strand of windblown hair behind her ear.
“Yeah, Dewey’s Bar here in Clifton. It’s always packed on Friday and Saturday nights.”
“Do you go there?” Ryan asked.
“I haven’t been there in a while.” He adjusted his worn leather gloves.
“I met a woman staying in another cabin at B and B, Alyssa, so I think I’ll see if she wants to go Saturday night.”
