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Ding! Six in the morning.Like clockwork.
Ever since I was a kid and started helping Pa out with chores each morning before school, I’ve woken up at six sharp without an alarm clock. But I enjoy the early mornings. I like waking up with only the gray light of dawn as the chickens start to cluck in the yard. And as a farmer, early hours are just part of the lifestyle.
Yet I stretch languidly across the full bed, none too eager for another full day of back-breaking work. In just a minute, I’ll change, go make coffee, and work again until almost seven at night.But for now, I’ll relax and not think about a thing–
My lazy wakeup routine is interrupted by sounds coming from the yard. Pausing my morning ritual, I jump out of bed to see what the commotion is all about.
Ranger.
I can’t believe I forgot he was here! Okay, fine I didn’t forget, especially since I dreamed about him all night. I feel my face go hot as I recall the vivid scenarios, involving those mischievous blue eyes, hard body, and massive tool between his thighs.Thank god he’s not up here to see me.
I shake away the last remnants of my naughty fantasies and gaze out the window at my even more impressive reality.
The huge man is in the yard, sleeves rolled up and wearing the old pair of jeans I’d given him last night. I knew they’d be a bit tight, but the jeans hug his muscular thighs in an almost comic way. His ass looks especially good, in fact, and I’m immediately embarrassed for noticing.
He’s hammering some boards together for what looks to be a replacement for my broken porch step. I watch him work for a moment, appreciating his hard muscles as they ripple beneath his fitted flannel shirt. His hands are strong, the kind that could lift logs and also hold a girl tight.
Stop it, Darcy.You don’t even know him!
Chastised, I slip on loose overalls and a tank top before heading downstairs. Taking a deep breath, I unlock the front door and open it and the screen.
Ranger looks up from his work. “Didn’t mean to wake you.”
“I always wake up at six.” I smile. “Farm life.”
Ranger nods and gestures to his woodworking project. “Figure first things first, fix the step I destroyed last night.”
I laugh. “It’s not entirely your fault. It’s been kind of wrecked for a while now.”
The handsome cowboy smiles ever so slightly and starts to work again. Even though it’s early in the day, little droplets of sweat have started to build up on his brow.I bet he tastes salty.The thought comes from out of nowhere and I blush hard.
“You okay, Miss?” Ranger is staring at me.
To deflect, I laugh quickly and change the subject. “Want some coffee? And maybe some breakfast?”
“Sure thing. Holler if you need help. Otherwise, I’ll work to get this finished up before then.”
“What, you know how to cook?” I ask in a sassy voice.
“I know how to do a lot of things.” His suggestive smile almost makes me cream in my panties, and I’m shocked by my physical reaction to his grin.
“Well okay then.” In a desperate attempt to steer clear of any further flirting, I turn to go back in the kitchen to make breakfast. Just as I open the door, it occurs to me that I need to go to the hen house to fetch the eggs.
“So any chance I can get around you to get to the coop? I need eggs if I’m going to make us some omelets.”
“Of course. Here.” Ranger offers me his hand gallantly, making sure I don’t tumble over the lack of a bottom step. Part of me wants to trip and fall so hehasto catch me, but the saner part of my mind simply takes his hand and skips to safe ground. But in my attempt to be overly careful, I actuallydotrip and Ranger’s quick to catch me at the waist. His big hands are square and firm, and I can feel a blush rising on my cheeks.
Yep, dreams are becoming reality.
“Sorry,” I mutter and dash to the hen house. I want to pretend I felt nothing when his hands grasped my waist, but I’m too on-edge to deny the electricity that had surged through my body at so minor an encounter.
I try not to think about the fact that he’ll likely do the same thing once I need to go back up the stairs. Gathering the eggs, I steady my breath and return. But Ranger has already finished fixing the step, and now he’s moved on to the porch railing, which has fallen completely askew.
I’m disappointed not to touch him again, but I know it’s probably better this way.It’s not like he’s sticking around just to make you tingly, you ninny.
Pushing the thought out of my mind, I smile and tell Ranger I’ll let him know when breakfast is ready and return to the safe haven of my house. Soon, breakfast’s ready, and I call through the screen door.
“Time to eat!”
