“I thought we’d sit down and talk.”
“Can’t spare the time. This is a working ranch and farm. We don’t stop.” Seth tipped his hat toward the hay bales. “Have a seat there, and I’ll be with you in a minute.” He watched Hayes swallow hard and trudge over to the bales, gingerly lowering himself onto the rough surface with a wince.
Just then Ryan rode in, Pearl’s hooves clattering on the floor. Seth saw the glint in Ryan’s eyes; she was barely keeping laughter in check. Hayes attempted to rise, then settled back down with a further crease of pain across his brow.
“Good morning, Ryan,” Hayes managed, voice tight.
“Morning,” she returned, laughter light in her tone. She dismounted gracefully and led Pearl to the water trough.
“Cull?” Seth shouted over his shoulder, holding Zephyr’s reins.
“Yeah?”
“Could you take Ms. Carroll up to the cornfield and check the irrigation lines? We’ve already inspected the oats. Grab the UTV, will you? Oh, and call Ringo to cool her horse down, please.”
Cull nodded as he called Ringo who appeared right away. “You got it. Ms. Carroll, I’ll meet you by the barn doors in a few minutes.”
“All right, Cull.” Ryan smiled at Seth. “Have a good day, Mr. Harrison.”
“Yes, ma’am. You do the same.” He tapped the brim of his Stetson and watched as Ryan led Pearl down the barn aisle to Ringo, who took the reins from her.
Minutes later the UTV’s engine rumbled outside, and Ryan strode toward the doors, amusement dancing in her eyes. Seth led Zephyr to a water trough outside to let him quench his thirst.
Seth strode back inside, fresh hay dust puffing with every step. “Mr. Hayes, whenever you’re ready, we can get started.”
Hayes pushed himself up, arching his back, then paused to move his foot around. “I believe my boots might be the problem,” he admitted with a rueful glance.
Seth shook his head. “Could be. Or maybe you just bought a cheap pair.”
“These weren’t cheap, I spent over two hundred dollars on them.”
Crossing his arms, Seth nodded toward his own booted feet. “I paid close to a thousand for mine.”
Hayes’ jaw dropped. “You must be joking. No way I’d spend that on a pair of…cowboyboots.”
“Then you’re valuing your cash over your feet.” Seth’s voice was mild but firm. “These are Beckett Boots, best in the business in my opinion. They hug your arches, breathe with your skin,protect your ankles. Your feet would thank you every time you walk in them.” He paused. “I have to make a quick call, then I’ll meet you here in about fifteen minutes.”
Chapter Six
Ryan smiled when Cull pulled the mud-spattered UTV up to the barn’s weathered double doors. She climbed in, the vinyl seat cool against her, and buckled her seatbelt with a metallic click before grasping the sun-warmed handle above the door. Cull backed the vehicle up with a spray of gravel, then drove them toward the cornfield.
She snorted out a laugh that turned into a cascade of tears rolling down her flushed cheeks. She heard Cull’s deep chuckle beside her and glanced over, catching the crinkles at the corners of his eyes.
“Is he for real?” Cull asked, his hands steady on the wheel.
“He’s as fake as they come. He had the balls to tell Seth we used to be an item, andhebroke up with me. No, he did not. We work at the magazine together, but he’s an ass. But, when Seth and I rode up and I saw him in that ridiculous hat perched on his city-boy haircut and the scruff shaved off just along his jawline...” She laughed again, wiping her damp cheeks.
“I think his boots hurt his feet. He was wincing with every step.” Cull shook his head.
“He thinks looking the part means he fits in. He’d only fit in with a den of snakes.” Her voice hardened.
“I take it that relationship didn’t end well.” Cull navigated around a fallen branch.
Ryan sighed, her shoulders slumping against the seat. “It seems most of mine don’t.”
Cull glanced at her. “You’re talking about Seth now, right?”
“Yes. It can’t work, Cull. He knows it and I know it. We’re heading for heartbreak.” Her fingers twisted in her lap.
