I can feel sweat running down the center of my back as I pull myself out from under one of the tractors as Decker and Ranger approach.
“Pastures look good, boss,” Ranger says. “I let Carl and Teller know they can start moving the cattle with the others.”
I wipe the dirt off my jeans when I see a truck approaching. “Thanks, guys. We expecting company?” We all three turn and squint to see who’s approaching when I realize it’s Brooklyn’s gray SUV.
“The fuck is she doing here?” I mutter as I walk toward the approaching vehicle.
“Mornin’, Miss Dyer. Help you with somethin’?”
She smiles as she exits her 4Runner and walks toward me.
“I’m here for the tour.”
“Pardon?”
“Trent told me you wanted to show me the ranch?”
Of course he did.
“He’s mistaken. Besides, it’s a workday. Shouldn’t you be at the office or something?”
She follows on my heels, ignoring my comment as I walk back toward a smiling Decker and Ranger.
“Morning, guys.” She smiles sweetly at the two of them, who practically fall over themselves vying for her attention.
“Hey there, little lady, you’re looking extra gorgeous today.”
“You’re too sweet, Decker, thank you. You men aren’t looking too bad yourself. Except for Mr. Grumpy Pants over here.” She tosses her thumb toward me and they laugh at the joke.
“Miss Dyer, as I said previously, Trent was mistaken. I’m too busy to give you a tour today. Sorry you drove out here.” I tip my hat toward her and make my way to the stables to saddle up Misty.
“We can give you a tour.”
That makes me pause. I glance over my shoulder and both of the cowboys are looking at me.
“Come on,” Ranger loops an arm over her shoulder, “we’ll leave Mr. Grumpy Pants to himself.” He can barely get the words out, he’s laughing so hard.
I saddle up Misty and work on breaking one of our most recent colts we bought at auction down in Texas.
I run through a few drills with the fiery little animal. We only ever practice gentling around here—no breaking a horse’s will with force. I let him see how I ride Misty, spend time brushing and petting his head, and let him wear a halter for a bit to get used to it.
I grab an apple from my bag and cut it into pieces, feeding a few slices to Misty and the yet-unnamed colt.
Brooklyn’s loud laugh interrupts my focus and I glance over to see her touching Decker’s arm as she tosses her head back. Her blonde curls tumble over her shoulders. I turn back to the horses. “Not your circus, not your monkeys,” I say aloud, trying to remind myself that it’s none of my business who Brooklyn wants to flirt with.
“Yee-haw!”
Ranger shouts and pretends to ride a horse in place with a lasso overhead. I can’t hear what they’re talking about, but he looks like a damn fool. I roll my eyes and try to focus on the task at hand, but I can’t pull my gaze from Brooklyn’s tempting silhouette.
She’s wearing skintight jeans today—they’re dark and stuck to her curves like glue. She’s tucked in a long-sleeved black shirt that accentuates her tiny waist and ample tits. She’s built like a screen siren from the ‘50s, and I know every single man in town has noticed.
I watch as Decker laughs and attempts to pull her in for a half-hug.
“That’s enough,” I mutter as I mount Misty and trot over to where they’re standing. “Okay, wrap it up. They have work to do and you’re distracting them. Guys, get up to pasture one and check on Carl and Teller.”
“Sure thing, boss man.” Ranger nods to me and then they both tell Brooklyn goodbye.
“I need to go check a few fences. Maybe you should get back to the office?”