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I changed clothes and laid in bed. Once again, my mind drifted to Casey. I don’t know why I couldn’t get her out of my head. She looked a lot different since the last time I saw her. Her hair, a cascade of waves, always caught the lights, creating a halo of playful glow around her. The subtle blend of honey and chestnut colors in her locks gave them a lustrous, almost unreal quality. Her eyes, a captivating emerald green and hints of amber, held a depth that drew me in.
Her skin, kissed by a gentle sun-kissed glow, added another layer of allure to the ensemble. A subtle warmth emanated from her complexion. Casey was effortlessly turning heads with her appearance. I sighed and rolled over. She was my fake fiancé. I needed to remember that. I couldn’t drag her down with my problems. She was always so sweet. She wouldn’t like me now anyway. I closed my eyes and focused on sleep.
CHAPTER 3
Casey: Soft & Supple
Under the scorching sun, Christian, Brett, and I stood together, united in our mission to reclaim a neglected area of the ranch that had languished for far too long. Equipped with gloves and various tools, we approached the wild terrain with a shared resolve.
Christian, with his strong arms, took the lead, wielding a machete with an air of practiced precision. He hacked away at the overgrown tangle of underbrush, his unwavering focus evident in every swing of the tool. As he carved a path through the stubborn vegetation, the earth beneath was gradually unveiled.
I followed close behind, my gloved hands collecting the dislodged branches and sticks, swiftly depositing them into a growing pile at the outskirts of the newly cleared space. The tangible transformation of this once-chaotic area filled me with a sense of purpose and accomplishment, further fueling my determination.
Brett, never one to shy away from hard work, joined our efforts with an infectious enthusiasm. Armed with pruning shears, he diligently trimmed away the stubborn vines that clung to the ground. In harmony, the three of us worked together, each contributing to the shared goal of revitalizing the ranch.
The rhythmic sounds of the machete slicing through the dense underbrush and the rustling of leaves filled the air, creating a rhythm that underscored our progress. With each mound of cleared debris that found its way onto the back of the truck, the immediate impact of our labor became increasingly evident.
As we continued our diligent work in the overgrown area, my gloved hands reached out for a particularly large stick. Gripping it firmly, my intention was to contribute to the growing pile of debris we were amassing. However, my aim went slightly awry, and I accidentally swiped the stick in Christian's direction. It struck his feet, unbalancing him and causing him to tumble down the hill into a shallow ditch.
“Ah!” Christian cried out as he tumbled down the hill.
My initial reaction was one of shock as I dropped the branch, my eyes widening as I watched Christian's unexpected descent. My instinct was to rush to his aid, but as I turned to help, my foot got entangled with a protruding root, and I, too, was sent tumbling down the hill.
“Christian!”
I rolled down the hill, through a thick patch of grass and slammed into Christian, stopping my fall. I looked up as we laid, chest to chest. We found ourselves lying in the soft grass and dirt, our laughter filling the clearing. The amusement and affection in our gazes were undeniable. Our faces mere inches apart, the temptation of a shared kiss hung in the air.
Our eyes locked onto one another. I hadn't noticed before, but his eyes were a deep, beautiful shade of green. His laughter slowed as he looked at my mouth. I wondered what he was thinking.
Just as we were on the verge of closing that tempting gap, yearning to let our lips touch, Brett came running over, his face etched with concern. "Hey, you guys okay? I saw you take a tumble!"
Startled, Christian and I quickly separated, our cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and shared laughter. We exchanged an awkward glance, the weight of the near-kiss still lingering in our minds.
"Yeah, we're fine, Brett," I replied, my voice carrying a nervous chuckle. "Just a little... accident."
Christian added, "Yeah, nothing serious, just a surprise roll down the hill."
Brett let out a relieved sigh. "Good to hear. Now, quit horsing around and let’s get this done.”
With that, he returned to his own work, leaving Christian and me to share an uncertain smile. We stood up, dusting off dirt and leaves, and returned to work.
After a long day of work, I returned to the rental, my clothes and skin smeared with a generous layer of dirt and sweat after a long day of work at the ranch. Unlike Brett, who had decided to stay back at the ranch house with Christian, I was eager for a hot shower and a change of clothes.
The phone rang, interrupting my tranquil thoughts as I stood on the porch. It was Marley, my college roommate and closest friend.
"Hello?" I answered, my voice laced with a hint of surprise.
"Casey! How are you?" Marley's enthusiastic voice greeted me through the receiver.
"I'm doing well, Marley," I replied, a smile spreading across my face. "I'm still settling into the rental house, but it's quite charming."
"I can only imagine," Marley said, her voice filled with curiosity. "Describe it to me."
I took a deep breath, savoring the refreshing mountain air. "The house is nestled amidst rolling hills and lush meadows," I began. "The sun-drenched windows offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, and the gentle breeze carries the sweet scent of wildflowers."
"It sounds...interesting," Marley exclaimed, her voice brimming with excitement. "I'm so glad you're enjoying it."
"I am too, Marley," I confessed. "It's a welcome change of pace from the bustling city life."
