Today begins the new schedule and assignment. My grin grows as we near the marked-out land for Hunter & WildDistillery’s new farmland, which is being cleared right this moment.
While I oversee our resident dark horse, I’m also managing the preliminary tasks before the cover crop. My mind is running through ranch hands to task various assignments to when the clearing is in view…and with it, a formidable Aiden Harrison, in all his lumberjack glory.
The southwest quadrant is completely cleared. I dismount Serenity, give her the apple she’s been not-so-patiently waiting for, and grab my handmade cedar bark and dogbane backpack.
“Mornin’,” I call out, pulling the tin mugs and thermos from my bag.
Stern, onyx eyes watch through his safety gear as I approach. I fight the grin and drop my bag at my feet, unscrew the thermos, and pour his first of many cups of java. I hold out the mug and wait.
Harrison takes a deep inhale of exasperation as his eyes under those thick furrowed brows pan back and forth between the mug and me. He carefully sets down the saw, removes his safety glasses, and accepts my offering with a grunt.
I think that’s his version of a thank you?
I pour my own and sip, looking at his morning progress. “A lumberjack and a cowgirl walk onto a field,” I begin the joke, grinning.
His stare is a physical touch on my cheek, but I keep my eyes on the clean-cut stumps and downed lumber. The temptation quickly becomes too great, so I turn my face toward him as he takes another sip of coffee and exhales.
I smile. “Good. I know. It’s all about how you prep the beans before grinding fresh, and very important…” I wait for him to give me those eyes. “The temperature you steep the grounds. Too many people burn their roast with water that’s way too hot.”
The man gives nothing in return before finishing his cup and handing it back. “Much obliged,” he mumbles.
“Want another?” I ask.
“No, thank you. Have a good day,” his voice rasps as he turns in an attempt to dismiss me.
“Perhaps after lunch, then,” I say to his back before reaching down for my backpack.
I make my way toward the marked-off land.
“Where you going?” he calls out, which makes me smile.
I ignore him and continue toward the west-facing perimeter. The crunch of dry grass beneath heavy boots follows quickly. I set my pack down and dig out my work tablet and tool kit.
“What are you doing?” he grunts, standing above my kneeling frame.
I glance up, squinting under my hat at the sun that rests behind his large silhouette. “Working. Remember?”
“Here?” he asks, crossing his arms over his wide flannel-clothed chest.
“I thought we covered this.” I get up and start running my hand against the fence, testing for weak points.
“This is a dangerous zone,” he argues, following. “Ain’t no way I’m dropping timber with you nearby.”
Alright, let’s nip this in the bud. I face him and lean against the rustic wooden fence.
“I’m not going anywhere, Harrison. I’m overseeing your lumber project and managing the grain farming efforts. The farm is to the east of your quadrants, and none of your trees will fall this way, as I’ve already established you are very skilled. I reported as such to Gabe. So get used to me. For the foreseeable future, we’re partners. Sort of. I’m still your superior,” I grin, wink, and turn away to continue my assessment.
I swear he just growled behind me. Brows raised, I glance over my shoulder. Six foot four of grumpy lumberjack storms away, back to his chainsaw.
Scoffing a laugh, I get to work.
I untieSerenity’s reins and walk over to Harrison as he finishes with another quadrant of timber.
“For a one-man job, you’re quick,” I remark.
He pulls off his work gloves and grunts a response.
“Before you delimb or do the bucking, it’s lunch time. Come on,” I say, leading Serenity toward the river.
