“I’m the ranch hand here.”
My mouth drops open even though I had a feeling that was going to be his answer. He chuckles and shakes his head. This has to be whom my mom was so quietly talking about on the phone.
Tyler
My hand runs over my chest wiping away my sweat. I’m used to Aunt Sue seeing me like this – shirtless, swea
ty and covered in dirt from working the ranch – but not women in barely-there clothing with their arms stationed at their sides and their lips pursed. Savannah swallows hard, making me wonder what’s going through her pretty little head. Is she sorry that she had to move or is she plotting my demise for not recognizing her yesterday? I bet she’s plotting my death. She sucks in her cheek in an effort to what – keep from smiling? Yeah, that’s exactly what she’s doing. Savannah looks at me and rolls her eyes. If I weren’t still embarrassed about yesterday, I’d think her attempt to be prissy is cute. Hell, she is cute, but I can’t be thinking about her like that. It’s not right.
By most standards, not enough time has passed for either of us to forget each other. I know that people change over time and maybe she more than me, but her transformation from the waifish, mousy girl she was is unbelievable. And her toes… what is it with her toes that keep me staring? I’ve never been one to think feet are cute, but damn if her toes aren’t painted pink against the tanned skin of her luscious, long legs, which are begging to be wrapped around my waist.
I chide myself for even thinking of Savannah like that. I don’t care if our mommas had dreams that we’d be hitched; it’s never gonna happen. Women like Savannah don’t marry ranchers unless they’re looking to get away from some crazy ass life in the city, and I know from Uncle Bob that’s not the case here. Miss McGuire went and got herself into some trouble and has been sent back to God’s country to repent, because around these parts we don’t get in trouble. By looking at her, she probably broke a nail and needed rescuing by the local fire department.
I’m not hiding the fact that I’m checking her out and neither is she. I see her pink tongue dart out and wet her lips while I stand in front of her. Everything in me says to look away, to go on about my business and leave her be, but I’m a man and she’s standing in front of me barely dressed - something her aunt and uncle aren’t going to be too appreciative of. Hell, I’m appreciative, but I don’t want to see her like this. I want her body to be left to my imagination.
“Put this on before your Uncle walks in here and drops dead of a heart attack.” Aunt Sue throws a pile of clothes at Savannah causing her to jump. The clothes land on her head and slide down to the floor, as I stifle a laugh.
“It’s not funny,” she seethes as she steps into a pair of Aunt Sue’s sweatpants. They’re about ten sizes too big yet do nothing to curb the thoughts running through my mind about her long legs. She glares at me before sliding the sweatshirt over her head and yanking the hem down roughly. Even with the oversized clothes on, she’s still gorgeous.
“Oh, I think it is.” I have to turn away because I don’t want her to see me smile. She’s cute when she’s angry and I don’t need her seeing that she has a positive effect on me. I busy myself by grabbing a plate from the cabinet and pulling out all the fixin’s to make my lunch. Aunt Sue provides the food. I provide the appetite.
“What are you doing?”
I turn my head over my shoulder and say, “I’m making my lunch. What does it look like?” Her expression is one of confusion. I don’t get this chick at all. She murmurs my name and has no problem with staring at me, but when I’m standing in front of her, it’s as if I’m a foreign object. Of course, I’m no better. I finally have her standing in front of me and I say nothing. I just stand there and let her stare. Most men would be okay with that, but I’m not. The past twenty-four hours have not gone the way I thought they would.
“Its breakfast time, isn’t it?”
I look at my watch and shake my head, wondering what it would be like to sleep in until I could have a normal breakfast. “It is for people like you who don’t get up before the sun.”
“Can’t you go home and eat?” Her tone is one that I’d expect from someone living in New York City, hell from any city for that matter, and just like that I’m pissed. I’ve been around long enough to know when I’m being talked down to. It happens all the time when the chicks come waltzing into Red’s looking for action, thinking we’re all dumb.
I chuckle lightly and mentally count off the days until she’s out of here. If this is the kind of attitude I’m going to have to deal with when I come to work, I may need the damn summer off.
“I work here, eat my lunch here and if I have a hankerin’ for some of Aunt Sue’s supper, I’ll stay for supper too.”
“So you’re always here?”
I turn around and lean up against the countertop with my ankles crossed. I take a bite of my sandwich and watch the frustration mask her beautiful face. “Ah, you askin’ ‘cause you’re interested?” I waggle my eyebrows at her.
Savannah’s eyes go wide as she crosses her arms over her chest, except she really doesn’t have arms since she’s swimming in her aunt’s sweatshirt.
“Whoa, who’s this?” Jeremiah has impeccable timing as always. If he had walked in a few minutes ago, he’d have seen her in a state of undress and would be looking for a way to get her out to the barn to ride his tractor. That’s the last thing I want, him messing around with Savannah. He steps right up next to me with a piece of wheat hanging out of his mouth. He tips his hat toward her, only to be met with an icy glare.
“Well, if it ain’t Mouse.”
“Vanna,” she says, icily.
I pat him on the back. “That’s right, Mouse grew up when she started hanging out with the Yankees and now wants to be called ‘Vanna’,” I add, watching her face morph into anger.
“I don’t care what this fine piece wants to be called, as long as the sound coming out of her mouth is my name.”
I laugh and wish he was joking, but he’s not. However, seeing the shock on her face as the words tumble out of his mouth are priceless, so I don’t do anything to correct him.
“I didn’t think you liked ice cubes that much, Jer.”
“Oh, I’ll make her warm.”
“You’re really disgusting,” she seethes at us as she steps away. I can hear Sue in the other room trying to pretend she’s busy, but her laughter is giving her away. “You’ll stay far away from me or I’ll tell my uncle that you’re harassing me and you’ll get fired.”