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His hand tightens on the reins. “Sorry about that. I told him to check before riding out.”
“No worries.” I unclench my jaw. “It’ll get done.”
I watch as Randy heads inside the barn to retrieve the tools and then gets to work checking the engine. Wade dismounts to have a private conversation with him, and I can only make out his terse tone. Wade had sung Randy’s praises when he was hired last fall, so I can only assume his struggles with alcohol have worsened over the summer. And if I’m right, he’s got everyone covering for him, including his daughter. That doesn’t sit right with me, though I know it’s coming from a good place.
Speaking of Pixie, she’d been brushing Willow in the stables after school, but now here she was, eager to lend a hand or maybe watch her daddy work.
I dig out my cell to take a call from Dr. Roy, who’s been keeping me abreast of the bovine fever affecting local ranchers. Thankfully, we’ve been spared so far.
After Randy completes the task and shuts the engine cover, Pixie bounces excitedly. “Can I ride with you?”
Randy throws me a sidelong glance. “Not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Please,” she begs, and I get it. It’s fun for the kiddos to ride the big machine and see how the thresher gives the crops a good haircut. Kids shouldn’t be around heavy machinery, but we’ve all done it. I’m sure plenty of ranches have let it slide.
I twist the rein to turn Midnight toward the rolling pasture, realizing I’m only making the situation worse by watching them. I don’t want to be the kind of boss who micromanages, let alone telling someone how to parent, and that’s exactly what I would be doing now.
Fortunately, Porter and Otis ride up then. “A dozen more hay bales than the last count, boss.”
I breathe out, relieved we’re still on track. “Thanks.”
The air feels crisper this late in the afternoon, so I lift my coat collar to combat the chill. The fall weather is gorgeous even when the temperatures fluctuate, and before we know it, the sun will be setting earlier and it’ll feel dark and cold. But we have the beauty of the mountains to marvel at, and that always gets me through the winter months.
I can feel Porter’s gaze pressing in on me as I check my messages. He knows how stressful this time of year is, and I’d give anything to take off with him right now to our secret place and get an orgasm out of the deal.
His voice is hesitant when he says, “My chores are checked off for the day, so if it’s all right…”
I nod because I already know what he’s gonna say. “Just double-check with Wade before you’re off to the horses.”
“Will do.”
When Arrow pads closer to the foreman, I look at Otis. “Check the grain feed with me?”
Just as we’re about to trot toward the silos, I hear the roar of the tractor engine again. I turn to see Randy steering toward the field as a sullen Pixie remains behind. I feel momentarily guilty that he didn’t take her for a ride, but work comes first, and given the health and safety concerns, let alone our insurance premiums, his decision was a sound one.
“Need a ride back to the stables?” Porter asks Pixie.
Her eyes light up. “Are you working with Storm again?”
“I’m sure as heck gonna try.”
She smirks. “He’s ornery today. Didn’t want the apple I offered him.”
“He passed up a sweet treat?” he teases. “Must be because our stable assistant is grumpy too. Who wants to hang around grumpy people?”
Her lips try and fail to resist a grin. “Well, you should know.”
“Oooh,” Wade says with a laugh.
“That’s how we’re gonna play it?” Porter waves a hand. “Okay, forget the ride I offered you.”
He pulls on the reins to turn the gelding in the opposite direction.
Hands on her hips, she shouts, “Hey! No fair.”
He laughs as he offers her a hand. She plants a foot to lift herself and sits astride the horse in front of him.
My heart squeezes watching them. He’s growing sweet on her, not that he’ll ever admit that. My gaze meets Wade’s, and he gives me a knowing look.
