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“I was born here. Just because I lived in New York for a few years doesn’t make me a city girl. And I visited Grandma Cora nearly every summer.”
I bit the inside of my cheek at the defensiveness in my voice. No matter how attractive this rude, sullen cowboy was, I had nothing to prove to him.
His gaze shifted past my shoulder and into the kitchen. The large walk-in pantry was open, revealing shelves brimming with Grandma’s delicious jams, jellies, and pickled vegetables. She often sold them at the Farmer’s Market on Magpie Street over the summer for extra income.
“I haven’t seen you around,” the cowboy pointed out.
That might have something to do with the fact your head is too far up your ass to notice your surroundings.
“I’ve been working two jobs, saving every penny I could in order to move back to Ash Ridge,” I admitted. “It’s been a few years since my last visit.”
What the hell are you doing? Shut up! Stop explaining yourself!
The cowboy gave a skeptical hum.
“Things work differently out here, you know.”
I frowned. A hot, tight coil of indignation rose in my chest. What was he implying? When I shifted to block his view, his gaze darted over me again, stuttering on my clothes. My skin burned at how exposed I must look like this.
First order of business: buy a set of pajamas I can confront sexy cowboys in without feeling like I’m half naked while I argue with him on my front porch at six o’clock in the morning.
“I’m aware of that,” I countered. “Grandma Cora left Robinwood Acres to me. She’s a smart woman. She wouldn’t do that if she thought I couldn’t handle it.”
The cowboy’s eyes finally—finally—met mine for the first time since he showed up at my door. My stomach did a somersault. Even though he wasn’t friendly, I still felt a little breathless and dizzy under his stare.
After a moment, the cowboy adjusted his hat, pushing it further back on his head. He shifted in place as if he was…nervous?
“Well, if you ever need any help, just give a shout. If I’m home, I’ll hear you.”
Then he stepped off my porch. As he passed Hera, he smoothed his palm over her neck. When she nuzzled at his pockets, I could have sworn the hint of a smile turned the cornerof his mouth up. He stroked her nose with surprising gentleness and Hera blew out a breath of contentment.
For a man who’d been so grumpy with me, he certainly seemed to have a soothing touch when it came to horses.
The cowboy lingered for nearly a full minute before he continued on his way. I watched as he jumped the fence and crossed my pasture to the house next door. I swore under my breath when he disappeared inside.
It looks like I’d met my new neighbor after all. And any chance of making a sweet first impression just went flying out the window.
Chapter Two
Landon
Ever since I laid eyes on Callie McClaren, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. That sleepy squint. Her rumpled, coffee-colored wavy hair. Her soft hips and thick thighs in those tiny, frilly shorts…God have mercy.
Until I opened my big mouth and announced to the world that I’m an asshole.
I groaned. Again. For the past two days, I’d been reliving my meeting with Callie. Beating myself up over it. I couldn’t stop stealing glances across the pasture at the McClaren place, hoping for a glimpse of her.
“Stupid,” I muttered under my breath.
I brought my hammer down with more anger than focus. And I missed the nail by a mile. The hammer connected with my thumb instead. Pain surged up my arm, throbbing in my hand.
“Fuck!”
A few feet behind me, my best friend—myonlyfriend—Beau Collins chuckled to himself.
“That’s what you get for having your head in the clouds,” he said. “You’ve been sour all morning.”
I ignored him, shaking out my hand before I resumed my work. My project for the summer involved rebuilding the southern wall of my barn. The boards were eaten away by rot, thanks to years of severe water damage left unchecked with no owners around to care for it. Even though I never breathed a word to Beau, he still showed up to help when he had an afternoon free from his own responsibilities.
