This Hick?

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

KAREN

W hat the heck was that about?

I wasn’t so na?ve I didn’t recognize two men with too much testosterone. The tension between the stranger and Cassidy was so thick I could practically taste it. Who was this guy, and why did Cassidy treat him like something he’d scraped off his boot?

I leaned forward and turned the knob for the heat all the way. Thankfully, the truck was still warm from the drive in. Cassidy pulled away from the small grocery store with his jaw clenched. I turned my head and caught a glimpse of the man, Earl. He was watching us leave with a creepy smile on his face.

“So, who was that guy?” I asked, unable to hold back my curiosity.

“Earl Hoyt,” Cassidy said, like the name alone was supposed to mean something to me.

“And why did you treat him like gum on the bottom of your boot?”

Cassidy’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. His jaw clenched as he glanced my way. “Because that’s what he is,” he muttered. “Give him a wide berth while you’re here. He’s nothing but trouble, and he uses everyone as a pawn. Don’t be fooled by the smile and expensive shoes. He’s an ass. I’m sure you’re drawn to his arrogant ass, most women are, but trust me, that guy is a dick. He’ll screw with you and toss you to the side as soon as he’s gotten what he wants from you.”

I filed away the information, but I was still intrigued by the handsome, well-dressed man with the million-dollar smile. From where I was sitting, he seemed like the first person in this town who had any semblance of class or manners.

Cassidy clearly didn’t like the man. He was cranky before, but now he looked downright pissed. I let it go, not wanting to increase the tension that already lingered between us. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder, was Cassidy being protective, or was there something more going on between him and this Earl guy?

“So there’s a sick horse at the ranch?”

Cassidy’s face softened a little as he nodded. “Yeah. Rouge. She’s been at Rocking Horse for twenty-six years. Almost as long as I’ve been here. She’s special. Really special.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You’re talking about a horse like she’s your best friend.”

He chuckled, but it wasn’t a laugh of amusement. “Rouge is extraordinary. She’s a handful, sure, but she’s got more spirit than most people I’ve met. She’s done more for me than any human ever has. Well, except Don.” He added with a genuine smile.

I eyed him skeptically. Was this guy serious? He was talking about a horse like she was some kind of savior. I couldn’t tell if this was just the cowboy thing. Was he being overly sentimental about animals?

Cassidy might be a little off. Maybe he’d inhaled too much cow shit and fertilizer.

“Are you one of those horse guys?”

“I don’t know what a horse guy is. But if caring about my animals means I’m a ‘horse guy,’ then yeah, I guess I am.”

“What’s wrong with the horse?” I asked.

“I don’t know for sure. I thought maybe her leg, but it might be more than that. The vet will tell us more.”

“How did that guy know the horse was sick?” I asked. I realized I was asking a lot of questions, but I was curious.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Earl tends to know everything about everyone. He’s a busy body. And an asshole.”

Cassidy’s tone was flat, final, like he was closing the door on that chapter of the conversation. I wasn’t going to push. Not now. I didn’t know the guy and I had a feeling it was going to stay that way. Cassidy didn’t like me. I felt it. I didn’t care. He didn’t have to like me. I wasn’t here to make friends. I was here to help my uncle.

The ranch came into view. I prepared myself for the bumpy ride. Cassidy seemed to relax as we pulled up the long driveway, carefully weaving the truck through the biggest potholes. I wished I would have done that on my trip in.

When we got back to the ranch, I was more than ready to get out of the freezing truck and bring my groceries inside. Cassidy led the way into the kitchen, showing me a secondary fridge where Bodie, the cook, had cleared out some space for my food. While I was loading in the almond milk, I heard heavy footsteps behind me.

“Well now, if it isn’t the woman who don’t like my cooking!”

I turned around and saw a large, big-bellied, bearded man staring at me. I was suddenly nervous. “I’m sorry?”

He flashed me a hearty grin before bursting into laughter. “I’m Bodie—the cook.”

I felt my face heat up. I had insulted the man’s cooking. This couldn’t be good. “It’s not that I don’t like your cooking,” I stammered, trying to think of a polite excuse. “I just?—”

“Don’t fret, little lady,” Bodie interrupted with a wave of his hand. “You’re allowed to have preferences. If there’s anything special I can whip up for you, you just let me know, alright?”

I nodded, grateful for the out. “Thank you. I don’t mean to be difficult, though. I don’t expect you to make anything special for me. I can make it myself.”

“Not in my kitchen.”

I blinked. “What?”

“I would just prefer to be the only cook in the kitchen. You understand, right?”

It wasn’t like I was going to argue with him. “I do understand. Thank you.”

“Just get me a list of what you do like. I’ll make sure there’s something for you at every meal.”

“Yes, sir. I appreciate it.”

I turned around to make my escape—only to collide with Cassidy, who I hadn’t realized was standing right behind me. I let out a little yelp, stumbling back, but his hand shot out and caught my elbow, steadying me with ease.

“Careful there,” he said, his grip firm but gentle.

I blushed, feeling foolish for the second time in five minutes. What was it about this place that made me feel so out of my element?

“Thanks,” I muttered, quickly pulling myself together and stepping out of his grasp. His touch lingered in my mind longer than I cared to admit. Strong but not rough, like he was used to handling delicate things.

“Hungry?” Cassidy asked. “Or are you going to eat one of those yogurt things?”

“I am hungry, but I think it’s best if I not be in the kitchen right now.”

Cassidy grinned. “Good idea,” he said with a wink. “I don’t think you can complain about breakfast. You’ll like it.”

We headed down the hall to the dining area, which smelled like heaven. Eggs, bacon, pancakes, toast, fresh fruit—it was like a buffet of comfort food. Good comfort food. I was suddenly starving. This? This I could get on board with.

Cassidy walked right up to the table and got himself a plate. I took one as well. I followed behind him, loading up my plate with a little of everything. And because there weren’t too many open seats, I ended up at the same table with him.

Kenny was sipping coffee there with a young woman with radiant blue eyes and blonde hair in two pigtail braids. She looked like she belonged here, all sunny and effortless, like she’d just stepped out of a postcard. I half-expected her to be wearing a milkmaid dress.

“You must be Karen,” she said with a bright smile. “I’m Ginny. I work here too.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said, smiling back, though I couldn’t help feeling a little awkward. Ginny was so perfect. Her beauty was all natural. I didn’t think she was wearing a drop of makeup. There was a very easy-going nature about her. She looked like she’d grown up on horseback, milking cows and living the country life while I was struggling to find my place in the world.

“You want company while Rouge gets her exam today?” Ginny asked Cassidy.

Cassidy shook his head, taking a sip of his coffee. “Thanks, but I’ve got it covered.”

There was a quiet understanding between them, like they shared a history I wasn’t privy to. I watched the exchange from across the table, feeling like an outsider observing something I didn’t quite understand. Ginny seemed to accept his answer without question, and the conversation shifted to ranch business.

It was clear Cassidy had a real connection to this horse. As they talked, I found myself studying the man, wondering what made him tick. He seemed so contained. Like there was more to him than the rough-and-tumble cowboy exterior he showed to the world. After our trip to the grocery store and his strange, almost reverent way of talking about that horse, I realized he was more complicated than I’d initially given him credit for.

And I’d always liked solving puzzles.

I had time to kill while I was stuck here, and something told me Cassidy Scott might be the perfect distraction. Not that I was planning to pry, but there was definitely more to this guy than met the eye. His sudden hostility toward Earl, his protectiveness over Rouge, and his no-nonsense attitude hinted at something deeper within.

“What’s the plan for today?” I asked, not wanting to be left out of the loop.

Cassidy glanced at me like I was crazy. “The plan?”

“I was thinking you could show me around,” I said. “I’d like to get reacquainted with the place.”

He looked resigned. “I’ve got to check in on Rouge, then I’ll be doing the usual rounds. You’re welcome to tag along if you want.”

He didn’t say it with any enthusiasm, but I wasn’t going to take it personally.

“It’s worth it,” Ginny said. “You get to see the ranch in action.”

I could probably learn a thing or two about the ranch—and about Cassidy.

“Thank you, I would like that.”

Cassidy nodded, as if he’d expected that answer. He went back to his breakfast. He wasn’t the chatty type, but there was something reassuring about his quiet confidence. I figured if I stuck around him, I’d get to know more than he let on. And if I was going to be doing the books, it would probably be wise to understand a little about the ranch.

“Where are you from?” Ginny asked me.

“Dallas.”

“Is it warm there?”

I smiled. “Yes, very warm, especially compared to here,” I said. “This is a bit of an adjustment.”

“It grows on you,” she said. “Everyone who comes here says there’s something about this land that’s hard to leave behind. Just when you get used to the cold, we will be rolling into spring. That’s when it’s really pretty. Wildflowers and green grass as far as the eye can see.”

Ginny’s description painted a vivid picture. It made me look forward to seeing the ranch in full bloom. “I’m not sure I’ll be here that long,” I said.

“Really?” Ginny said with surprise.

Cassidy and Kenny exchanged a look. Once again, I sensed I was the butt of a joke and didn’t know it.

“I’m just here for a little while to help my uncle get his accounting in order.”

Ginny smiled. “We’ll see. Like I said, people have a way of falling in love with this place.”

I smiled in return. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I was in no danger of that happening.

“Karen!”

I looked up and saw my uncle strolling across the hall. “Are you ready to see your new office?”

“Sure.” I grabbed my empty plate and stood. “I guess I’ll have to take a raincheck on the tour.”

“Next time,” Cassidy said.