32. Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-two
Libby
“I’m nervous as shit,” I stammer to Blue watching Mason’s truck pull in.
He tugs me against his side, then presses his lips against my temple. “It’ll be fine. You aren’t alone in this, and your dad doesn’t have a stake anymore.”
My nails dig into my palms. “Then why am I so worried about when he realizes what happened?”
“Because you love him,” Blue says quietly. “And you don’t want to hurt him.”
He’s right. I let my anger and frustration fuel this entire endeavor to get the dairy.
But now that it’s mine, it’s a hollow victory knowing I had to lie to my dad. And I’ve been keeping up the charade, telling him that I’ve been running things until the new owners take over.
It makes me feel downright crappy.
“Morning.” Mason slams his truck shut, slinging what looks like a baseball bag over his shoulder .
Sawyer unfolds his lanky form from the passenger side, then fetches a big metal cylinder from the back seat.
“We have everyone pushed into the far pen so we can run them through the chutes for you.” There’s a little tremor in my voice.
This is getting so real.
Blue’s palm runs up my ribs one last time before he moves away, pushing the heavy steel door open for them. “Welcome to Pierce Farms.” He winks at me with a grin.
“Maybe we’ll call it that.” I haven’t decided.
Sawyer laughs. “Sounds like an archery range.”
“Well, Pierce-n-Taylor sounds kinky.” Blue pauses, falling into step next to me. “But I like it.”
“Considering I’ll be a Pierce soon, and Devon will be the only Taylor…I guess it changes.”
“That’s right, baby.” Blue’s pat on my ass stirs the fire in my belly.
Not being able to sleep next to him the last two nights has been hell. But we both agreed to break one big thing to Dad at a time.
I just wish that one was first.
“These are nice looking animals,” Mason calls over. “But why just one Holstein when the rest are Jerseys?”
“Oh, that’s Lucy. I got her on a calf swap in 4H a couple of years ago. She’s a big producer, but a pain in the ass. Don’t let her push you around.” I take my spot at the feeder gate, ready to start letting the girls in as soon as Mason and Sawyer are ready.
Blue takes his perch with his clipboard to tally the ear tags.
It’s like one big smooth running machine once they get the liquid nitrogen tank set up.
One at a time, I let a cow through to be freeze branded. The whole process takes just a few seconds.
But it’s huge to me. These are my babies. Seeing the Black Gulch marks on their rears is kinda bittersweet.
They aren’t exactly mine anymore. Char has more technical ownership over them than I do.
It’ll be motivation to get them paid off quickly so I can earn them back.
“Maybe you’re right.” I climb the fence next to Blue as the last heifer trots through.
“Of course I am.” His brows raise over his smile. “About what?”
“What if our new brand is a capital ‘P’ with a tiny bar in the middle like crossing a ‘T’?” I trace my finger down his chest in the shape.
“Mmhmm,” he rumbles. “I can make that happen.”
I tilt my head, my lips teasing up. “Are you just agreeing with whatever?”
His palm flattens over my knuckles. “Yep, just keep touching me.” He leans closer. “I miss it at night. ”
My heart weighs heavily. “Me too,” I whisper.
He pats my hand. “It’ll change soon, baby.”
“We’re all set.” Mason clears his throat. “Heard we’ll be going to your wedding in a couple of days?”
I get so wrapped up in Blue, it’s like the rest of the world fades.
“Yep. I can’t wait.” Blue holds out his arm in a broad sweep. “What do you think about this engagement ring I bought? I mean, who can say ‘no’ to a dairy?”
“I just had to say ‘yes’,” I giggle.
Sawyer’s brows knot in a confused expression, then he shakes his head as he hoists the tank to his shoulder. “That’s the weirdest thing I’ve heard.”
Mason claps him on the arm. “One day you’ll figure out it’s more than just the diamond, son. It’s whatever makes you both happy.”
“Sure wouldn’t be more cows,” Sawyer groans.
And to think my dad thought he’d be a good match for me? We might be close in age, but very different in our plans.
“Devon’s like you. He does what needs to be done, but I know his heart isn’t in it. I do appreciate you helping though.” I hope Sawyer can find something he loves.
“I don’t mind the work. I just hate always smelling like shit.” Sawyer’s crooked smile reminds me of his dad’s.
He’s certainly cute.
But I’m glad to have Blue, who supports me in my goals .
Fuck, I am lucky to have a man like that.
I didn’t know when I saw him on stage last winter that he’d be so perfect for me.
My determination paid off.
“Well, I can understand wanting to have the wedding as soon as possible. I felt that way when I met Lori.” Mason shoves his bag with his tools into the backseat.
“Hell, I felt that way about his mom, too.” He gestures at Sawyer crawling into the other side of the truck.
“I don’t regret for a second saying ‘I do’ as fast as humanly possible with either of them. ”
“That’s so freaking romantic.” Warm fuzzies burst in my chest seeing the love pouring out of Mason.
“So, let me know when and where, we’ll all be there.” He waves, then slams the door.
“Two days ago would have been the right time,” Blue says quietly.
He starts to reach for me, then freezes, dropping his arm. His focus is locked across the parking lot.
“Clay’s coming.” He shifts into a nonchalant position, even though I can see the tinge of frustration in his eyes.
“Libby? Was that the new owner that just left?” Dad glances at Blue. “All done with the transfer paperwork?”
Blue holds up his clipboard. “I’ll be filing this afternoon.”
Dad extends his arm, still moving a little stiff as he shuffles closer to Blue. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all your help. Guess this means we won’t be seeing as much of you now?”
That makes me snort. “Yea, Blue. Are you sick of me yet?” I blink innocently up at him.
His light eyes fix on me. “I’ve enjoyed it here much more than I initially thought I would.” A smile flickers over his lips.
Then he startles, scratching at the gray edge of his mustache. “Clay, what do you say I pick you up for a beer the day after tomorrow? We can celebrate the sale. A toast to big life changes.” Fire licks at his gaze as he watches me, ignoring my father.
It makes a flush of heat run through me. I can’t wait to get out of here and meet him at his house after he’s done in his office. It’s been our only chance for alone time, a few fleeting hours before I come back to make sure Devon and Dad are taken care of.
“I’d like that. My treat. You’ve done more than enough. And whoever the dumbass was who bought this place overpaid me.” Dad winces mid laugh.
But Blue focuses on him. “Maybe they heard you were sick and wanted to make sure you were taken care of?”
Dad rolls his eyes. “Yea, right. No one does that.” He looks past us towards the barn. “Lib, you got them all lined up on how it runs?”
Shit.
I’m on the spot now .
“I, um, I’m going to be the new manager. They’re taking on the whole crew.” Why is it so hard to just tell him?
“Really? Well, shit. Hope the owner isn’t an asshole. But I guess I’m not surprised,” Dad grumbles. “At least you can quit and move on if it gets too much.”
I let out a long sigh. “I really like my new boss.” I see Blue is getting a kick out of this. “And I told you, I love it here.” My toes scuff in the dirt. “I really don’t know why you can’t just believe that.”
“I do, honey. I just don’t want you to shortchange yourself.” Dad presses the heel of his hand into his lower stomach. “I gotta go back in. Maybe one of these days I’ll meet these guys.”
“You will, soon enough. You might even like them. See you on Friday.” Blue raises two fingers in an abbreviated wave as my dad turns away.
We both watch him shuffle across the broad parking lot like statues until the door closes behind him.
“Considering the new owner is an asshole, I’m glad you still like him.” Blue’s crooked grin is the first movement he makes, then he tugs me inside the wall of the barn.
“I know how to bend him to my will,” I murmur against his mouth before he kisses me. His hot tongue presses against mine in a passionate dance that leaves us both breathless.
“I’ll get these dropped off, then meet you at home. We’ll have some phone calls to make tonight.” He cups my cheek, running his thumb over my chin. “This is killing me, Lib. I just want to hurry up and spend forever with you,” he whispers.
My fingers tuck into his back pockets, pulling him tighter. “I can’t wait. I hate not being able to touch you whenever I want.”
With a groan, he nods, his whiskers tickling against my cheek.
“I’m ordering the futon, and putting a lock on the office door.
That way I can have my way with you without interruption.
” He raises his head, looking towards the entrance.
“I have a feeling Clay will want to check up on things once he figures everything out.”
His white teeth flash with his smile. “I’m gonna make a sign that says ‘baby making in progress, do not disturb’.”
My laughing makes my nipples rub through my shirt against his chest, sending tiny sparks into my belly. “I love your business plan, big boss. Let’s get right on that.”
He drops one more quick kiss onto my lips before he pulls away. Holding the clipboard over his head, he saunters into the sunlight and calls back over his shoulder. “Don’t tempt me, rebel. You won’t be able to walk for a week.”
“Promises, promises.” I lean on the wall, watching him back out of the driveway.
Fuck, it always hurts to watch him leave.
Now that I have him, I never want to let him go.