Nine Sunny
Paisley and I have been at it for a while, the comforting rhythm of barn work, sinking into my bones. There’s something about this—being out here, knee-deep in fresh hay, the scent of earth and leather surrounding me. It just feels right. It’s honest, straightforward work. The kind that leaves your muscles burning in the best way and your mind clear, at least most of the time.
Sunlight filters through the cracks in the barn walls, casting soft, golden beams across the stalls as we shovel the last of the old hay into the wheelbarrow. I breathe in deeply, savoring the mingled scents of earth and leather. This is where I feel the most like myself—dirty boots, sore hands, surrounded by animals and wide-open spaces. It’s simple, satisfying, and grounding in a way few things are.
We’re clearing out space for the new horses Levi and Colton are bringing back today. They left early this morning, picking up another batch. The ones they bring in usually have stories—abandoned by owners who can’t care for them, some even left behind or neglected, horses that no one wants anymore. It’s Rose Lake Ranch that takes them in, gives them a second chance. They’re rehabilitated, trained, and eventually sold to good homes where they’ll be cared for the way they deserve. It’s a part of the job Levi takes very seriously, and it’s one of the many things I can’t help but admire about him. He doesn’t see them as a way to make money—he sees their potential, their spirit, and he’s determined to give them a shot at a better life.
But today, no matter how hard I try to lose myself in the work, my thoughts keep drifting back to him. I shoveled another heap of hay into the wheelbarrow, the repetitive motion doing nothing to quiet my thoughts. His lips on mine, the way his hand tightened around my throat—it played on a loop in my head, louder than the scrape of the pitchfork against the ground. I clench my thighs together, the mere thought of him sending a shiver down my spin, heat pooling between my legs. The wheelbarrow creaks under the weight of the hay, and I pause to catch my breath.
Levi’s breath had been warm against my neck, the memory as vivid as if it had just happened. I shake my head, trying to focus on the barn instead of the ghost of his hands on my skin.
Paisley nudges me with her pitchfork.
“Hey, earth to Sunny. Did you hear anything I just said?”
I blink, cheeks flushing. Fuck.
“Sorry Pais, just thinking.”
“Yeah, I can guess what—or who—you’re thinking about,”
She winks.
“Anyway, as I was saying,”
she adds, tossing some old hay into the wheelbarrow, wiping her hands on her jeans.
“Did you hear Levi and Colt’s cousin is coming to the rodeo with us?”
That perks me up.
“Really? That’ll be so much fun! I didn’t even know they had a cousin.”
Wait…I don’t think I actually know anything about Levi.
“Yeah, I think Colton said her name’s Hallie.”
Paisley leans on her pitchfork, her grin widening.
“She’s apparently a bit of a wild card, so this is going to be so much fun!”
“Well, that’s no surprise! Look at these feral boys we work with.”
I laugh, even though my mind is still drifting back to Levi.
Stop it, Sunny!
Paisley’s eyes narrow, playful, and knowing.
“You’re telling me! Colton is driving me crazy, with his stupid serious face all the time! But circling back to Levi—”
Oh no. I know where this is going. I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about it, not even with Paisley.
“What about him?”
I ask, trying to keep my voice casual, like the thought of him doesn’t make my throat dry and my knees weak. She smirks, not buying my nonchalance for a second.
“I see the way you two look at each other. And don’t even try to pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. What happened at the bar?”
Heat creeps up my neck. Deny it!
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Paisley gives me a look, one eyebrow raised, clearly not buying my act.
But before we can get any further into this wonderful conversation, the rumble of a truck engine grabs our attention. Levi and Colton are back. My heart immediately kicks up a notch.
Thank you, ranch gods!
I start making my way out of the barn, but Paisley’s got her eyes on me, her smirk growing.
“Oh, don’t think you’re off the hook that easily,”
she teases, walking towards me, “I’m not done grilling you about Mr. Tall, Dark, and goofy just because he happens to show up.”
I let out a laugh, trying to deflect, “Please, I don’t think I’m his type.”
“Not his type?”
Paisley scoffs, rolling her eyes.
“Right, because he looked so uninterested when he spent half the night watching you like you were the last drink at the bar.”
She pauses, giving me that knowing grin that only best friends seem to master. “Besides, even Colton noticed, and you know he’s completely clueless about everything except work.”
I bite my lip, still trying to play it cool, “Sorry Pais, I have no idea what you mean.”
I say, smirking as I carry on walking.
We step outside, I spot Levi as he hops out of the truck. Immediately, his eyes find mine, like they always do, and it’s like the air around us shifts. This thing we have—a quiet, intense connection, like the rest of the world fades away when we’re in the same space.
Colton follows, giving us a nod as he heads toward the pen. The other guys already gathering around, ready to help get the horses settled. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation, everyone eager to see the new additions to the ranch.
“Showtime,”
Paisley whispers under her breath, nudging me playfully, but I’m too busy trying to keep my composure to respond.
Levi’s walking toward us, his long strides confident, that damn half-smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. It’s the kind of smile that makes my knees go weak, that reminds me of his lips on mine, his hands—
“You ready to meet the new recruits?”
he asks, interrupting my not-so-innocent thoughts, his voice smooth as honey. I swallow hard, forcing myself to focus on his words instead of the way he’s looking at me. There’s a heat in his gaze that makes my skin prickle in the best way.
We’re all standing around the pen as Levi and Colton begin unloading the horses. They’re beautiful, strong creatures, their coats gleaming in the sunlight. The guys are doing their best to keep them calm, guiding them one by one into the pen. Everything is going smoothly—that is until one of the horses wriggles loose.
Before anyone could react, it takes off towards the fields, a blur of brown and white. My heart leaps into my throat as I watch it gallop away, it’s hooves kicking up dust as it darts off.
“Damn it!”
Levi curses under his breath.
My time to shine.