She looks unreal doing what she’s doing. Natural. Like she belongs here, like the ranch bent itself around her the second she showed up. Watching her with the kids does something to me I don’t want to name. She crouches down, talks soft, smiles easy, shows them there’s nothing to be scared of.
It’s one thing to be drop-dead gorgeous. It’s another thing to be drop-dead gorgeous and kind. That’s the kind of woman men ruin themselves over. But I won’t be one of them.
The fact that she’s not here for good scares the shit out of me. That’s why I keep my distance. Because if this keeps escalating and it already feels like it is—I don’t know how I stop myself. Six months. That’s all she is. A temporary thing. A woman who’ll leave and take every damn feeling with her.
Her being here feels like some sick test. Like God decided to dangle something perfect right in front of me just to see how long I could keep my hands to myself.
Here you go, Cole.
Look. Want. Don’t touch.
Everyone’s doing great on the roping dummies. And yeah, that’s because I’m a great teacher. Dad is too.
“Y’all are doing fantastic with the groundwork,” I shout. “Let’s keep practicing. If time allows, we’ll get a few of you on horseback.”
I pause, scanning the group.
“You can book lessons with me or my younger brother Luke.”
Dad nods at me, proud as hell.
Then my eyes drift back to Layla.
There’s a backup forming down there—kids waiting, parents hovering.
“Dad,” I nod toward her.
“Go grab more ropes, bring ’em back, then go help her,” he says.
I start to move, but he stops me.
“Son,” he says quietly, “she’s doing a great job. Make sure she knows that.”
“Yup,” I mutter.
I jog down toward the stables where Layla’s standing, right in front of the rope bin. I reach past her without thinking.
My arm brushes her thigh. Bare skin. Her breath catches so sharp it goes straight through me. So does mine. I look up. Our eyes meet. The air goes thick. Heavy. Hot. My body reacts instantly—hard and needy. I step back before I embarrass us both. Not here. Not now. Not in front of everyone. I shut the hatch too fast, heart hammering like it’s trying to punch out of my chest, and damn near sprint back up the hill.
I drop the ropes at Dad’s feet and turn right back around, forcing myself to breathe like a man who isn’t losing control.
I head back to Layla.
“Let’s make two lines,” I call out. “Second turn to the left. Folks who haven’t gone yet get priority.”
She taps my shoulder.
“Am I not doing okay?” she asks, eyes searching mine.
Those brown eyes could ruin my life. I almost tell her she’s doing more than good. That she’s driving me insane. That I haven’t stopped thinking of her since the creek. Almost.
I shrug, keeping my voice light while my body stays tight and angry. “You’re doing fine. Dad just asked me to help. You’re popular—everybody wants a turn with city girl.”
“Screw you,” she laughs.
That laugh hits low in my gut.
“You would,” I chuckle.
