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10
Jessica
Jessica was still reeling from the way it felt to have Ian’s arms around her. The warmth of his touch had spread through her entire body, awakening something that she’d never felt before. It was small. Like the whisper of a breeze through a field of wildflowers.
She fiddled with her hair as she met Ian’s unreadable expression. Had he felt it too? Not likely. The way he put distance between them was all the proof she needed. It was like she’d told him. They were from two different worlds. Just because they were thrust together in this crazy situation didn’t mean he liked her. That was absurd.
Besides, she wasn’t fully convinced she liked him that way either. One sizzling touch did not mean anything. Jessica rubbed her arms again as she continued to walk by his side. His heavy boots crunched against the soil. The smell of pine lingered in the air, though there weren’t many evergreens nearby. Either the scent was carried by the gentle wind, or it came from Ian.
Jessica glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. He wore another plaid button-down shirt that had been rolled up just below the elbows. It was the look she’d grown accustomed to when he’d come to the diner. The black felt hat he wore made him look like he’d just walked off a western movie set.
He caught her staring and a flush crawled up her neck. She pulled some of her hair over her shoulder and twisted it within her hands. “Where are we going?”
“I wanted to show you the cows, remember?”
Right. She’d almost forgotten. “How many births have you had to help with?”
He chuckled. “I’ve lost count. The vet we use is far enough away that she rarely makes it before the calf is delivered. But she does give each one a checkup.”
Something flared up in her stomach.She. Jessica swallowed the flash of jealousy. “Is that what you went to school for?”
Ian’s shoulders straightened and he gave her his full attention. “How did you know I went to college?”
“Your mother told me.”
“Of course she did.” He shook his head. “Sometimes growing up in a large, close family has its disadvantages.”
“I think it’s nice. They obviously care about you. A lot.”
“What else did she tell you?”
Jessica wagged her finger at him. “I asked you first.”
Ian nodded. “I went to school for general agriculture, but I did take some specialty courses to give me the upper hand when it came to things like this. Dr. Pearl is as good as a vet there is. But like I said, sometimes she’s too far away to help in the moment. Just knowing I can make a difference if something goes wrong makes my job worth it.”
“How often does that happen?”
“Not as often as you’d think. Animals have this kind of intuition that helps them get through difficult situations like those.”
The way Ian talked about his work on the ranch made his face light up. He loved what he did. He was so sweet—innocent even—in the way he spoke.
They arrived at a large pasture that was cut short by fencing. About six cows grazed on some tall grass, their ears and tails twitching against the morning insects that drifted lazily around them. Four of them were a rich, caramel brown color. A few had some white markings. The other two were black, and all of them looked very round.
Jessica climbed up on the fence that separated herself from the animals. “Wow.”
Ian folded his arms over the top of the fence and leaned on it. “Yeah. It never ceases to amaze me.” He rested his chin on his arms. “It’s the miracle of life right there. You know, people don’t appreciate what it takes to breed a good steer or cow. They take for granted everything a rancher or a farmer does to put food on their tables.”
A smile curved at her lips. “You’re an interesting guy, Ian.”
He lifted his head. “What?”
She adjusted her grip on the fence post and met his soft brown eyes. “I’ve known you for at least five months now. I can tell you what you like to eat and how you take your burger. But other than that, I knew nothing about you.”
“That’s not true. You knew I was a cowboy.”
She smirked. “True. But to be fair, I’ve never seen you come into the diner without that hat of yours. I never would have pegged you as an animal guy. The fact that you’re some kind of cow midwife is one of the best things I’ve learned about you so far.”
A laugh, deep and melodious, bubbled from his chest. “Midwife? Gee, thanks.”
