“It’s good you like her.” Alyssa’s brown eyes sparkled in the warm lamplight. “Okay, let’s plan on going to the bar Saturday night. I think we’ll have fun.”
“I’m sure.”
“I think so too. I’m going to head back to my cabin and take a long soak. I’m sure I’ll see you before Saturday.” Ryan got up and walked her to the door.
“I’m not sure if Seth will be showing me around or not, but he trains cutting horses too, so I’m not sure which he’ll be doing.”
“I love watching those horses do that, the way they anticipate the cattle’s movements.”
“How about dinner at the main house tomorrow evening? We can go once I get home tomorrow. Around six?”
“Sounds great. I’ll meet you here tomorrow evening.”
“Okay, Alyssa. Have a nice night.”
“You too. Night.”
Ryan smiled as she closed the door, leaning against it with a sigh of relief. She was hoping she didn’t have to see Seth tomorrow, with that irritating smirk that made her stomach flip despite herself.
Chapter Five
Themorning light slanted through the barn’s open doors as Ryan stepped inside, the rich aroma of her steaming coffee from The Everyday Grind warming her palms. She found Cull ambling down the center aisle. With a friendly nod, Cull raised his cup in salute.
“Good morning,” Ryan called.
“Morning, Ryan. You look wide awake today.” Cull chuckled, then frowned as Seth stepped through the barn door, his boots thudding on the straw-strewn floor. Cull looked at her. “You’ll go with me today.”
Ryan shook her head. “So he’s still pouting?”
“I don’t pout, Ms. Carroll,” Seth snapped, straightening his shoulders. He glanced at Ryan’s coffee cup. “Besides, it’s better if you go with Cull.”
“Because he’s not a prick,” Ryan shot back.
Seth took a step closer, eyes narrowing to slits. “If you don’t like it here, there’s the door.”
“Oh, no,” Ryan said, chin lifting. “I’m going to do my job, then I’ll leave, and I’m looking forward to it.” She turned back to Cull. “Horseback or UTV?”
Cull looked between them and, without hesitation, said, “Horseback.”
“Okay. May I take Pearl?” Ryan asked.
“Of course. I’ll saddle her for you.” Cull moved toward the tack room, but Seth’s voice followed them. “She needs to learn how to do it.”
Cull paused, strode back to Seth, leaned over, and whispered something into Seth’s ear that Ryan couldn’t catch. Seth huffed and walked away.
Ryan squared her shoulders. “Have a good day, Mr. Harrison.”
“Whatever,” he muttered, trudging past her.
She watched his retreating figure, throat tight. She called after him. “Two more weeks until you’re rid of me.”
He halted, turned, and regarded her with a cool half-smile. “Looking forward to it.” Then he strode out.
Ryan blinked back tears of anger. “Damn you, Seth Harrison,” she whispered, and turned to where Cull was cinching the girth on Pearl’s saddle.
“You alright?” Cull asked gently.
Ryan took a breath and squared her shoulders. “Yes. If he thinks he’s looking forward to me leaving, he has no idea how much I am.”
