This morning was busierthan I’d thought it was going to be. Since the first clinic was over, most patrons stayed one last night to celebrate before heading back home. Since I was technically off the clock, I had no obligation to wake my ass up and help, but honestly, it was better than the alternative.
I had nothing to do besides thinking about how close I was to Josie’s body last night, how I’d stood right between those pretty thighs like I had the first time I’d tasted her. It’d taken everything in me not to say, fuck it and kiss her stupid. Especially when I heard how her breathing hitched as I drew in close to get my hat.
The “what ifs” had haunted me the entire walk back to my cabin. Thankfully, everyone had been out by the bonfire getting rip-roaring drunk, which meant I didn’t have to explain why I was striding in with a hard dick. I’d spent most of the night tossing and turning with a semi before I locked myself in the small bathroom and stroked myself to the thought of the perfect little moans she made when I drove into her.
Spilling myself on the tile of a shitty shower hadn’t been my proudest moment, but it’d been too long. I hadn’t touchedanother woman since Josie. Hadn’t wanted to. Frank had called me a fool, especially when a pretty woman at the bar expressed interest. No matter how much I tried to wrap my head around moving on, it was like running face-first into a brick wall that refused to budge.
So, after I watched the last trailer turn out of the gate, I tucked my earbuds in and headed to the stables. There was no use in going back to the bunk to mope. I might as well make myself useful by feeding the horses and mucking out the stalls with The White Stripes to keep me company.
Sundance stuck her head out when I rounded the corner into the barn, greeting me with a loud huff as I passed her stall and disappeared into the feed room. “I’m coming for ya, girl. Don’t worry,” I called out over my shoulder.
She stomped her feet when I came back with a manure fork and shovel in one hand and three carrots in the other. “This what you’re after?” I asked, holding one under her nose. She reached forward and snatched it from my grip, munching happily before nudging me for the next one. “Yeah, I figured as much. You’re a good girl, huh?”
I led her from her stall, securing her lead through a tie post while I worked. Occasionally, she’d grab my attention, asking where her treat was when I walked by. I was only thirty minutes into my routine before someone tapped my shoulder.
I paused my playlist, turning to find Bishop staring at me with his arms crossed. His cowboy hat was pulled low. “What the fuck are you doing?” he asked.
“What’s it look like?” I shot back. “I’m working.”
“Yeah, but you’re taking my hand’s chores.” He motioned over his shoulder where a boy stood with a rake. “Didn’t Doug tell you that you were off on the weekends?”
Yes, he’d told me, but what the hell was I supposed to do? Twiddle my fucking thumbs until Monday morning rolled around?As it was, I was all too aware that the woman who drove me crazy was within reach, and I didn’t feel like fighting so hard to keep myself in check.
Instead of telling Bishop that, I just shrugged and stood, pulling my shirt up to wipe away the sweat rolling down my forehead. “I can’t just sit around and do nothing. I’m used to working. I want to work.”
He laughed, clapping me on my back and pulling me from Sundance’s stall. “Yeah, but I can’t have ranch hands sitting on their asses. They’ve got to earn their keep here.” He waved the kid over to take my place as I snuck Sundance the last of her treats. “Don’t you do shit for fun?”
“My only friend in Tennessee was sixty-seven years old and my boss, so no,” I said.
“Man,” he said, shaking his head. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ll work this land until the day I die if allowed, but you’ve got to give yourself a break sometimes.”
Honestly, he caught me by surprise. I never took him as the sort to break free and cut loose. “Oh yeah?” I asked. “And what do you do for fun?”
He smirked. “Shoot the shit. Rope some steers. Chase a cowgirl now and then.”
The thud of boots against concrete pulled our attention, and we both looked up to see Lennox Hayes stride into the barn.
Out of the three sisters, I’d take a guess that she looked most like her mom. I didn’t see much of Doug in her. She was all bright smiles and cheer, with her tanned legs on display and blonde hair piled on top of her head.
“Hey, boys!” she called out, waving her hand to catch our attention.
It would’ve been impossible to miss her, but Bishop had clocked her the moment he’d heard her coming. Now his eyes were fixed on each sway of her hips and the bat of her lashes.
“Lennox,” he said, dropping his eyes to take her in. “What’re you up to today?”
Well, that was interesting.
“Just came in to feed Strider,” she said, walking over to a brown paint horse across the aisle. He knickered as she gave his neck a pat.
“Does no one let the hands earn their pay?” Bishop mumbled, but Lennox ignored him and continued.
“But the girls and I were thinking about heading into town tonight. There’s a live band playing at the Lone Star…” she trailed off, blushing. “I was thinking, especially since the first clinic is over with…”
Bishop tipped back his head and groaned. I could tell his heart wasn’t in it though. I had a feeling she could’ve asked him to do just about anything and he would’ve done it. “You know I don’t dance.”
Lennox stepped forward with her hands outstretched. “I know, and I’m not asking you to! Well, okay… Maybe I am. But it’s been a while since we’ve all been out, and I thought it might be fun?” She glanced my way. “Josie really wants to go out tonight. I think she and Ellis are fighting.”
Well, Lennox was just full of helpful information, wasn’t she? I’d known something was wrong when Josie came storming back into the house last night like a wet hen, but I’d been too busy being a shit-stirrer to say anything.
