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Ian was happy she wasn’t flirting with him. Every week it seemed a new woman would come on to him. He wasn’t vain, but while here working, he didn’t need the added pressure.
He rode behind the line, keeping an eye on the riders. They seemed to be moving along just fine. As he looked along the group, he saw Eden turn in the saddle and look at him. He stared back at her, then raised an eyebrow. She flattened her lips and turned back to face the front. He knew he was baiting her, but it would probably be for the best if he kept her pissed at him. That way, when she did leave, she’d be happy to get away from him.
That sure didn’t sit well with him, but it would be easier letting her go if she didn’t give a rat’s ass about him. He knew he’d have problems once she left, and he’d do his best to get over it, but keeping her angry would make it easier on her. At least that’s what he kept telling himself. Who knew? He’d never understand how a woman’s mind worked.
He grinned as he thought about Jaxon telling him Presley was mad at him.
“For what?” Ian asked.
Jaxon shook his head. “I have no idea. I asked her what I did, and I got that, ‘well, if you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you’ shit.”
Ian laughed. “You’ll figure it out or she’ll get over it and you’ll never know what was wrong. There’s no figuring out how a woman thinks.”
Jaxon had agreed and went in search of his wife. Ian was sure that even though Jaxon didn’t know what he’d done, he’d still be kissing Presley’s ass.
“And we men think we rule the world,” Ian muttered as he followed the group.
The sun beat down mercilessly as they rode along the trail through the pasture. Ian pulled ahandkerchief from his pocket and wiped the sweat from his brow. Sweat rolled down his chest and back. His T-shirt was sticking to him.
He saw Eden stop her horse, take a water bottle from a saddlebag, and pour water on a handkerchief she pulled from her pocket. He clenched his teeth as he watched her move the cloth around her neck, and the top of her chest.
“Son of a bitch,” he swore. Was she doing that on purpose? He nudged Breeze to ride up to her. She glanced over at him when he reached her, but she ignored him. He had no idea what he was going to say to her anyway.
How was he going to get through the rest of her vacation? Maybe he should have taken some time off, but he knew he wouldn’t. They were too busy, and he had all damn winter off. From the second week of September to the first of March, he was off since the ranch was closed, but the Callahans still paid the staff. They wanted them to be happy to return for next season. It was rare that anyone took time off during the time the ranch was open, but it was allowed as long as someone was able to cover for them. Ian never took time off when the ranch was in operation. He hated letting anyone down. Most of the staff worked the week after the last guests left so they could close, but a few ranch hands remained at the ranch to care for the horses and cattle.
He sighed. He knew, even if he did take time off, he’d still think about Eden, so what good would it do him? It was going to kill him when she left. How had these feelings happened so fast?
Chapter Six
Eden followed the line of riders as they rode down the embankment to the creek. She shouldn’t have come on this trip. It was too hard seeing Ian. He rode his horse along the line but always turned around before getting to her.
“It’s so hot today,” Cammie said from beside her.
“I know. I can’t wait to get to the creek. I think I’ll jump in.” Eden smiled.
“You and me both.” Cammie stared at her. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. We’re staying away from each other.” She shrugged.
“You might be staying away from each other, but you are not okay.”
“I will be. Don’t worry about me. I’ve been through broken hearts before.”
Cammie didn’t say anything as they dismounted by the creek.
Once there, Eden squatted, filled her water bottle, dipped the handkerchief in the water, and placed it on the back of her neck. It was so hot that the water wasn’t even cool.
After a few minutes, she heard Chip tell everyone to mount up so they could head back. Cammie mounted her horse and rode back to the group while Eden placed the cloth in the water again, removed her hat, and dabbed the sweat from her forehead. She glanced up when she heard the gravel crunching at the creek bed, and saw Ian on his horse, watching her. He had his forearms folded on the saddle horn.
“Let’s go,” he said.
She stood up so fast, she got a head rush.
“I’m trying to cool off,” she said between clenched teeth.
“Do it faster. We need to get back and get out of this heat.”
“Why do you have to be such a prick?”
