Easton and Leo followed behind on foot, the two of them engaged in conversation. Her brother didn’t even look her way. Or acknowledge her.
Obviously, Leo was comfortable with Easton. She was happy about that.
“Oh, good, they got the tractor started,” Lydia said. “Come on, let’s follow them and see what they’re intending to dig up.”
Katrina was glad she’d worn her tennis shoes, because Lydia had one heck of a fast stride, and considering Katrina was taller with longer legs, it surprised her how hard she had to hustle to keep up with Grant’s mom.
But she did, and soon they’d made it to the other side of the barn, where Grant had engaged the bucket on the front and was scooping up a large pile of dirt, then relocating it to another area away from the barn.
She and Lydia stood and watched for a while. Katrina was impressed with how well Grant knew the operation of the tractor, how he could shove the bucket into the pile of dirt, scoop it up, and then maneuver the tractor between the two barns so effortlessly.
Wow. Who knew watching a man operate a tractor could be such a turn-on?
“I’ve been after Easton to move that pile of dirt between the barns for two weeks now. He’d dug it up to lay some drainage, and then the big tractor conked out. I’m so glad Grant was able to get it working again. Now they can get the job finished. Come on, let’s go back to the house. It’s hot out here.”
Katrina could have stood out there for hours and watched Grant, but she followed Lydia back to the house and poured herself another glass of tea.
“Okay, about the sleeping arrangements. You and Grant will stay at one of the other houses,” Lydia said.
“Oh. Okay.”
“Flynn, Barrett, Tucker, and Mia aren’t coupled up. I think I’m putting Barrett and Tucker at the guesthouse, and I was wondering if it would be all right if Leo and Anya stayed here at the main house with us.”
“Um, you don’t have to keep them here. I’m sure they can stay wherever I do.”
Lydia offered up a knowing smile. “Then how will you and Grant get to be alone?”
The woman was entirely too knowing. “That’s not necessary, you know.”
“Please. I was young and dating once, too. I know what it’s like to try and grab some time alone. And with your brother and sister along, I know you haven’t had a lot of moments to yourselves. There’s another house a few miles from here. You and Grant can stay there. There are five bedrooms in this house, so plenty of space for the kids.”
This was the most bizarre conversation she’d ever had.
“Okay. Thank you.”
“Not a problem.”
She wanted to tell Lydia that there wasn’t anything serious going on with her and Grant, but she supposed that would be up to Grant to discuss with his mom. It wasn’t her place to define her relationship with him to his mother.
“How about I drive you over to the house? You can get your things unpacked and settle in and we can come back here and start dinner. Tucker should be here soon, and if Flynn hasn’t arrived by the time we eat, then he can grab leftovers when he does.”
“I don’t want to put you out, Lydia. If you give me some directions, I’m sure I can find the house myself.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m so happy to have another female here. Mia and I both are. You noticed she absconded with your sister as soon as she could, didn’t you?”
“I did notice that.”
“Trust me. There are a lot of men on this ranch. You just haven’t seen them all yet. Easton’s brother, Elijah, lives here as well. He’s not here at the moment, but he’ll be back tomorrow. Anyway, since his divorce six years ago, Elijah spends a lot of time hanging around us. Not that I mind. I love my brother-in-law very much. But the testosterone overload when those two get together is enough to make my head explode. You’d think they were teenagers again the way those two get on. I was happy having Mia home again for the summer, but she comes and goes a lot, as all kids her age do.”
Katrina nodded. “Yes. I was just thinking the other day how it won’t be long until Anya will be leaving for college. She’s not my daughter or anything, but I think I was having some empty-nest pangs. I’ve been responsible for her since our mother died ten years ago.”
Lydia grabbed a set of keys from a drawer. “Wow. That’s a lot of responsibility for a young teenager to handle. Should we drive over to the house now? I’ll text Mia to let her know where we are.” As Lydia and Katrina made their way outside and climbed in a bright red truck, Lydia asked more questions about Kat’s parents and what had happened.