I fly out of my cabin, and the screen door swings back and forth on its hinges, almost smacking Evie right in the face. “Sorry, girl,” I call over my shoulder, sprinting down the steps. “I’ll give you extra treats tonight if Ches doesn’t kill me for being late. Be good!” I shout, her howl of protest following me into the trees.
The smell of pine hits me first, the crisp spring morning feeling like a shot of caffeine. Montana is beautiful in May. The flowers are starting to bloom, birds chirp, squirrels hop from branches, and the smoky scent of a bonfire lingers in the morning air.
In the daylight, and after someminordirectional suggestions, I easily make my way to The Den. I climb up the steps two at a time before the door almost smacks me in the face as Ches runs out.
He plants a smooch on my cheek. “Sorry, no time to talk,” he hollers, sprinting down the front steps. “I got a call one of the cows went into early labor.”
“What about me?” I yell.
He chuckles, the kind that says troubles in store. “Roxy’s inside. She can fill you in.” He winks, sprinting away. “Have fun!”
I run my hand down my face, trying to stay positive. I’m here to learn, aren’t I? So why didn’t Ches invite me along?
I’m debating chasing after him when Roxy’s voice filters through the door. “Is that my Maisie girl I hear? Come in here, child, before you freeze to death.”
Air puffs through my lips. Roxy has a way of making everyone feel welcomed in her home. I follow the tune she's humming, finding her busy in the kitchen, cleaning up breakfast.
Her face lights up. “Are you hungry, dear? There’s plenty of leftovers. We missed your face at breakfast.”
She wraps me in a hug, and I draw in a deep breath of the maple scent circling us. “I slept through my alarm,” I lie through my teeth. “Jet lag and all that. Tomorrow, though,” I promise her.
She shoots me a knowing smile, seeing right through my bullshit per usual. “Of course,” she giggles, winking at me. “Jetlagcan be a devil sometimes. We would love to have you tomorrow morning.”
“Can’t wait,” a deep voice rumbles behind me.
The hairs rise on the back of my neck. An arm reaches around me, snatching a piece of bacon from the plate in front of me. My breath hitches when warmth envelopes my back, the barest of touch brushing against me.
“Speak of the devil,” Roxy mumbles under her breath, busying herself with the dirty dishes.
I spin and casually rest my elbows on the island counter behind me. Gray chews on his bacon while leaning against the counter opposite of me. Neither of us says a word. We let our eyes do all the talking. He stares me down, and I stare right back.
Try me, cowboy.
I can’t figure this man out. I also wasn’t expecting to have to face him so soon. One single thought of last night makes my cheeks flame. The fucker reads me like a book and shoots me a knowing wink. He slides the last bite of bacon between his teeth, making sure to slowly lick away the grease left behind. I notice his knuckles are busted, but I’m sure working on the ranch can be dangerous.
It’s way too early for this. I roll my eyes, pretending I’m unfazed by his stupid good looks and dashing dimples. Don’t get me started on the full sleeve of tattoos decorating his buff arm, peeking out of his rolled-up sleeve. I give him the cold shoulder, turning my attention to Roxy.
“Ches mentioned you had plans for me today? I caught him on the way out. He said there was an emergency? I don’t mind shadowing him. It kind of sounds fun, honestly.”
Roxy’s eyes go wide as she dries her hands on a towel. “Oh, heavens, no. You will not be spending your first day elbow deep in a cow. I’ll be right back. Play nice while I’m gone, will ya?”
I recoil at the thought, not thinking through the logistics of helping birth a calf. Grayson chuckles at me, deep and low, hitting me right in my center. Damn my overactive ovaries.
“Something funny, cowboy?”
He raises his hands in surrender, a smirk on his face. “Nope, definitely not, honey.”
I narrow my eyes. “What’s with the nickname?”
He studies me for a beat, his gaze tracking between my eyes and shrugs. “Nothing behind the name. Just being polite, ma’am.”
“Polite,” I scoff. “Is that what you would call your little beer game too?”
“Those hands of yours were anything but polite.”
My face heats. “I didn’t…” I let out a deep exhale. “I… You’re insufferable, you know that?” I clasp my hands behind my back with an unbothered smile. “You know what? It doesn’t matter. I’m here to spend time with my family. So if you’ll excuse me, I have better things to do.”
“Have fun with thosebetter things, Maisie.”
