Chapter 4
Spit happens.
Scout lowered her rifle and stared at the dead coyote, feeling awful even though she’d had no choice. It had been going after her chickens—and someone had damaged her pen enough to let it in.
Could this bullshit harassment just stop?
She turned at a faint sound to see Hudson, weapon in hand, striding her way looking a bit like an avenging angel. She really had to stop noticing how hot he was.
Though hot didn’t cover it. No, that was too tame a word for him.
And oh god, she had to stop this train of thought.
He was here to work, not fuel her long dormant fantasies or whatever.
It was just…why did he have to be so big and good-looking?
And more than that, he was capable and hardworking. That was the sexiest thing of all.
“Are you okay? Are the girls okay?” His gaze fell to the coyote, then some of that pent-up aggression seemed to dissipate.
It surprised her that he asked about her girls, but also, oh no, melted her a bit. “We’re good. They’re over in another pasture…” She trailed off at the sound of clomping hooves, winced. “Maybe stand behind me for a second?”
He ignored her.
Moments later, the three besties came racing toward them, Lucy in the lead.
“Stand down,” she ordered, knowing Lucy was about to fly off the handle.
Lucy slowed, then bared her teeth at the dead coyote before stomping around it.
The others did the same.
“You can see that everything is okay,” Scout said pointedly to Lucy.
Who then looked at Hudson and bared her teeth again before stomping off with the others. But at least she didn’t spit this time.
Progress.
“I’m pretty sure she understands you,” he murmured, a hint of fascination in his tone.
“Oh, she understands a lot. Takes orders well too, so don’t let her fool you.”
He was quiet for a moment. “I’ll take care of this,” he said, motioning to the dead animal. “Then I’m going to borrow the ATV and go put up some cameras. But first, I have a question…”
She nodded, unsure about his tone. “Okay.”
“Did you order Lucy to knock me out?”
Oh crap. She couldn’t lie straight to his face.
Just couldn’t do it. Covering her own face, she nodded, then peeked at him through her fingers.
“Yes, I’m sorry. I thought you were one of my jerk neighbors.
And then I found what was in your bag and thought you were some drug runner…
” She dropped her hands. “Are you going to quit now?”
To her surprise, he let out a deep laugh, shook his head and said, “Where do you keep the shovels?”
Okay, that wasn’t a yes. “The barn… You’re not mad?”
“Nope.” And he was still chuckling as he stalked off.
Okay, then. She had no idea what to make of his reaction, but she had to prep dinner and take care of a few other things. She’d promised him meals as part of his employment, and considering she’d just confessed to ordering her meanest llama to attack him, she needed to cook the best meal ever.
But first, she would snag a quick shower. And absolutely would not think of him while she was naked. Nope, not one little bit.
***
Scout wasn’t sure if Hudson would want to eat with her—probably not, she guessed.
So she packed up the dinner she’d made and headed to the guest cottage.
She’d heard her llamas freaking out not too long ago then heard the ATV engine come to a stop, so knew he had to be back.
They’d probably tailed him while he put up cameras, keeping an eye on him.
And she knew that if they’d been able to communicate verbally, they’d have reported back to her every single thing he did.
At least the cottage she’d put him in was pristine and modern.
It was still country-chic style with white beadboard on the walls, antique, refinished furniture for the bedroom, and shiplap floors.
The one-bedroom place had huge, vintage windows that let in a lot of natural light, and the kitchen had been completely renovated so everything was sleek and modern but still blended with everything else.
Her grandfather had renovated it years ago, and for a while they’d used it as a rental, mostly short-term, for people who wanted a taste of farm life. Or “farm-life light” as she liked to think of it.
He’d loved showing people what it was like to run a farm. Though admittedly theirs—hers, she still had to get used to that—was a lot smaller than it had been a decade ago. He’d gotten older so she’d taken to monetizing other things on social media. Some days she felt like she wore so many hats…
She blinked as Hudson opened the door to the guesthouse wearing lounge pants and no shirt.
No. Shirt.
His chest and abs were pure muscle, as if he did nothing but work out. Good lord, his biceps. He could lift her up, pin her against the wall. Or bed. Or the shower wall…
Oh my god, stop! Seriously, she’d never been like this before. What was going on with this whole sex-crazed thinking? She didn’t fantasize about random men, had certainly never fantasized about any of the temporary workers over the years.
But Hudson was in a different category. The way he’d protected her this morning had shifted something inside her. And he’d been concerned enough to ask about her llamas after he’d heard the rifle shot.
“Oh, I was just on my way to see you.” His voice wrapped around her like a warm cocoon.
She blinked. What had he said? “Ah, I was bringing you dinner.” She abruptly thrust out the basket, trying to look at his face and not the eight-pack or whatever he had going on in his abs. “Wait, you were on the way to see me?” Did he want to eat with her after all?
He took the basket from her with an easy smile that made her heart flutter. “I’m actually out of hot water, but that’s not a big deal.”
That was when she noticed that his hair was damp.
“No hot water?” she repeated, a little dumbly.
“No, but it’s no big deal. I was just going to let you know.”
Crap, crap, crap. Sure, winters in Florida weren’t freezing, but it was way too cold for him to be dealing with that.
And definitely not on his first night. “I can look at it in the morning.” She’d just add it to her long-ass list of things to get to.
“But would you want to stay at the big house? It’s got five rooms and the hot water is fine.
” As soon as the offer was out, she wondered if it was a stupid one.
She could likely get it fixed by tomorrow—
“Sure. But…” He frowned, and somehow still looked gorgeous.
“What?”
“You shouldn’t just invite me into your place. I could be a serial killer.”
A really gorgeous one. She lifted an eyebrow at him. “A serial killer who is warning me to be careful?”
“I’m just saying—”
“It’s fine. And I know you have to be hungry. I made pork chops in a creamy mushroom sauce and rice to pour it over. I also made a salad with fresh fruit and goat cheese from my goats.”
He paused, looked down at the basket and his stomach actually rumbled. “That sounds amazing.”
“It is. Now get dressed.” Dear god, please put a shirt on so I can think straight again! “And grab your stuff. I’ll leave the front door unlocked.”
She backtracked before she could change her mind. Because he was right. What was she thinking, inviting this man to stay at her place? Her family’s home was huge, with five bedrooms and four bathrooms, but still. This was not something she normally did.
But she didn’t feel any sort of danger around him. That little voice in her head that always warned her about danger…was dead silent where Hudson was concerned.