Page 6 of Thaw My Heart

She plops down on a wooden bench with a bottle and a crystal glass, pouring a drink over ice. Whiskey perhaps? A pleased smile shines on her face as she lifts it towards me. Why did these two houses have to be so close? Was this going to be a regular occurrence?

What the fuck was my uncle thinking?

Ryker:

So, how’s your new neighbor? I’ve heard she’s hotttt.

Kit:

How long have you known?

Ryker:

Blake just told me. What do you think of her?

Kit:

She’s going to be a handful.

A real pain in my ass, handful. The flames on the side of her shirt should’ve been a warning label. My new neighbor may be hot, but she’s fiery as hell.

Ryker:

Sounds like the perfect woman. A good handful is all you need, brother.

Leave it to Ryker to be inappropriate.

I sigh, shaking my head. So much for a quiet evening on my front porch.

After an angry mouthful of beer and sending two pissed-off texts to Blake for keeping this from me, I head into the barn to lift weights. Maybe jamming out to my metal playlist will improve my mood, or at least keep me from knocking on her door and making the situation worse.

Her bubbly laugh vibrates in the air as I close the door after Bandit. Looks like everything in my life is about to change now that Sadie Lane is in the picture.

Two weeks ago…

I’m anxious as hell, hands trembling from the amount of sugar I’ve consumed today. I step out of my old truck in light blue cowboy boots, landing on the circular driveway covered in fallen leaves. Taking in Harlow Mansion for the first time.

There’s a wraparound timber porch with stone accents, and a modern black steel roof that brings it all together into something truly unique. Rustic yet modern. A grand home set behind the largest pine tree I’ve ever seen.

The legendary Lone Pine tree.

It stands like a beacon, tall and resilient, proof of the long-standing legacy of this cattle ranch. Looking just as I imagined it would, and better than any picture that’s been printed in the newspaper.

I never thought I’d get a call back after submitting my resume weeks ago, but standing here now, it still doesn’t feel real until a cold breeze caresses my skin, reminding me that I made it.

Red, amber, and gold leaves swirl in the strong breeze, trying to take my cowboy hat. Rocks crunch under my boots as I approach a man with a thick, dark beard sitting on the porch steps, waiting for me. The scent of pine and earth fills my nose. Snow-capped mountains loom in the distance, looking like a fake backdrop instead of reality. Anxiety stirs in my belly with each step towards him.

It’s been a long road to get to this multi-million-dollar ranch called Lone Pine, the largest cattle ranch in Northern Montana, and I’ve been nervous as hell for weeks about meeting the man in charge, hoping to secure my dream job and a safe place to finally call home.

If this interview goes well, that is.

The bearded man stands, offering me a smile underneath his black cowboy hat and blue aviator sunglasses. Rugged like a mountain man. “You must be Sadie,” he holds out his calloused hand. “I’m Blake Dalton. Ranch Foreman and part-time pilot. We talked on the phone a while ago.”

“Yes, hi,” my hand brushes against his.

He’s more handsome than I imagined, with a warm voice that matches his rugged features. I’m guessing mid-thirties by the speckling of wrinkles around his eyes from too much sun. A golden hoop sits in his right ear, like he’s some kind of rockstar cowboy. I like him already.

“Nice to officially meet you, Blake,” I smile.