Ranchers never stop working. Tasks always need to be done.
As soon as I walk in, Dad’s busy drinking his coffee and writing in a notebook. I clear my throat, and he looks up at me. “Mornin’,” he says, seeming more tired than usual. “You’re here early.”
“Just takin’ after you.” I snicker. He’s the best role model I could’ve ever asked for, and I hope to be exactly like him when I have kids. Mama keeps telling me I’m the spitting image of Dad as if it’s a warning, but I see it as a compliment.
“Your mother’s still in shock that you’re a married man.” He gives me a somber expression. “I think I am too,” he admits, but then he smiles.
“I know. I blame Diesel, but then again, I’m not mad about it,” I say, refilling my mug with coffee.
“Marriage is important, Riley. It’s not a game. It’s not something you do on a whim.” He looks at me with soft eyes.
“I know, Dad. But it could be worse. I could’ve gotten her pregnant, and she could’ve shown up at the ranch with a Bishop baby bump,” I remind him of his own story. “But I didn’t. We’re trying to be responsible and see if we should be together. There’s something special between us. I knew the moment I met her.”
“I felt the same way when I met your mother too. So I get it, more than you know.”
His words are comforting.
“Us Bishops have a way of falling head over heels the first time we meet a woman. Guess it runs in the family. And I can’t fault you for it. Just be smart. Don’t want you getting hurt, son. I saw the way you looked at her.” He arches a brow, smirking.
I stare out into the barn, replaying everything that happened in Vegas and how shocked I was to see her at the B&B, but I’m determined to give us a chance.
“Your grandma is gonna be pissed,” he warns. “But I’m lettin’ you deal with her.”
I roll my eyes. “Thanks, Dad. So what’s the plan today? I already fed the horses on the north side.”
“That’s my boy,” he says, proudly. “Taking charge. I like that. Since you already took care of the horses, the utility barn is in need of some repairs. I noticed some of the panels were corroding at the bottom, and before it becomes a mess, I thought we’d change ’em out. There’s enough time to get it done before ten since you got a head start.”
I sip my coffee. “Yep. Shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll text Diesel and tell him to meet me, and we’ll get it done.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Dad says.
I get up to leave, but he stops me.
“Son.”
“Yeah?”
He’s smirking.
“Try not to give your grandmother a heart attack today. We did that enough growing up.”
I snort and shake my head before walking out. I’ve heard many stories of how much trouble my dad and uncles would get into, how the sheriff was around regularly, and how they caused mischief everywhere they went.
Before I get in the truck, I text Diesel and tell him our job for the day and where to meet me. I have no doubt we’ll be able to finish even sooner than expected.
As I drive over, the early morning sun starts warming everything up. It’s going to be a hot one, so I start chugging water because dehydration out here can be deadly. And I don’t want my mother to worry.
It’s just past seven by the time I make it to the barn, and Diesel’s already removed his shirt and is sweating his ass off.
“’Bout time you showed up,” he harasses. “I’ve already got all the metal cut and ready to place if you can just help me get this corroded shit removed. It practically crumbles when it’s touched.”
“On it,” I say, putting on my work gloves. After I carefully remove the sheets, he puts the new ones in place. The bright silver metal is much newer, so the barn’s gonna need a fresh coat of paint. We’ll have to save that for another day, but I know Grandma Bishop won’t allow the eyesore to stay like this for long.
Just as Diesel and I attach the last of the metal, I see long legs heading our way. It’s not uncommon for tourists to book the B&B for a real country escape, but I could recognize those legs in the dark. Zoey.
I remove my gloves and wipe the sweat from my brow.
“Hey, husband, it looks like you’re working hard.” She unscrews the top of the bottle of water she’s holding and hands it to me. I run my eyes down her body, admiring the tempting curves I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. Right now, she’s the only thing I want to drink.