Maize Bishop isn’t gonna make this easy, but I do love a challenge.
Once I’m back in the barn, Jackson strolls in with Knox and Kane behind him. They’re laughing and smacking each other, but immediately stop when they see Kiera. I hold back laughter at how obnoxious they are, but even at twenty-one, they know to quit playing when their mother’s around.
“What are you boys doin’?” she asks as Jackson kisses her.
“Making them clean stalls and organize the tack room. Then after that, they’ll be washing all the work trucks and tractors.”
Kiera’s hands fly to her hips, and she scowls as if she knows this is a punishment. “What’d they do now?”
“Stole the Cotton’s goats last night and hid them in our sheep barn,” Jackson explains, shaking his head, but I can tell he’s trying not to burst out laughing.
“Seriously?” she scolds, but then her expression softens. “That sounds like somethin’ you’d do.” Kiera teases Jackson. “Have them wax my car, too.” She smirks before walking to the office.
“You’re making this way too big of a deal, Dad,” Knox complains. “The goats are back safe and sound. No one got hurt.”
“Except when you pushed me and I tripped, nearly doing a face-plant in the gravel,” Kane interrupts.
Although they’re identical twins, they have different personalities. Knox reminds me a lot of myself, confident and ready to take on the world, whereas Kane is more reserved and loyal. Though I have a feeling he gets roped into doing crazy shit with his brother, then has to deal with the consequences later.
“Too bad Kaitlyn isn’t here. I’d pay her to do my half.” Knox barks out a laugh.
“Who’s Kaitlyn again?” I ask.
“Our little sister. She left for college right before you arrived,” Kane explains, but I remember Jackson telling me about her.
“How old is she?”
“Nineteen. Just started her second year of college,” he answers.
“Don’t get any ideas,” Jackson snaps.
My eyes widen at his demanding tone. “No, sir. Absolutely not.”
Aside from the fact that Jackson’s my boss and I wouldn’t want to lose his trust, nineteen is too young. Plus, the only woman on my mind right now is Maize Bishop. Her being twenty-five is pushing my minimum dating age limit, but she’s mature, and our chemistry is undeniable. I find so many things about her sexy as hell. Though I’ve had flings with younger women, I’m done with all that foolishness. I want to put down some roots and start a family—sooner rather than later.
Perhaps Maize’s not at that stage of her life yet, but she was the one who pointed out she was behind because she’s not married with kids. She laughed as if it were impossible for her to find a partner in five years, yet here I am. I’d be willing to let her call the shots if she’d actually give me a damn chance to prove that what we had that night was real.
Chapter Five
GAVIN
TWO MONTHS LATER
I’ve been working at the ranch for three months, and I thought Maize would’ve admitted she remembered us being together by now, but she hasn’t budged. I’ve helped her in the kitchen a few times, but she went back to pretending I didn’t exist afterward. Though I don’t have time to play her childish games, I’ve come to accept Maize Bishop’s stubborn as hell.
Way more stubborn than most of the wild horses I’ve trained.
I try not to let it bother me, but every time I see her, memories of her soft skin pressed against mine flash through my head. It’s damn near impossible not to think about when she’s around. I could understand if she was embarrassed or even regretted being with me, but why lie? I’m determined to find out, even if it takes me years.
Now it’s the day before Thanksgiving, and all the Bishops are working double-time to finish their chores so they can eat and be with their families tomorrow. Luckily, I don’t have as much to do—the stalls are shoveled, food and water stocked, and the tack rooms organized. Though I’ve been working with Cooper, he went to visit family in Alabama this week, so I just have to worry about the horses.
“Gavin! Wait up,” Grayson shouts as I walk toward the B&B.
“What’s up, man?” I’m already on the porch, reaching for the door.
“You got holiday plans?” he asks.
“Not really. I’ll call my parents and work out after I feed the horses, but that’s it. Why?”
“John and Mila invited me to eat at their house. You should come,” he says as we walk inside.
“Not sure that’s a good idea. Maize hates me enough as it is.”
He shrugs. “So? Kenzie wants to murder me, and I’ve been invited for the past three years. We shoot daggers at each other, then eat pie.”
I snort, heading toward the buffet. I’m starving, and the turkey potpie Maize made for lunch smells delicious.