Chapter 7
Jules
Watching three very different cowboys try to figure out how to put up a baby gate is probably the most amusing thing I think I’ve ever seen. Cash starts off trying to put it backwards and wondering why it isn’t working like the instructions say.
“It’s backwards,” Oak points out, trying to reach for the gate to fix it.
“I got this,” Cash growls, swatting his hand away. “I’m a man. I can put up a baby gate.”
“Yeah, well, Mr. Man, you’re doing it wrong,” Oak grunts. “It’s literally backwards.”
Bonnie leans in closer where she’s holding Genie and laughs. “Think we should tell them they’re both wrong or just enjoy the show?”
“Enjoy the show,” I say, nodding. I’m smiling at the scene, mostly because it’s kind of ridiculous to argue about something as simple as a baby gate across the basement steps, but I’m at least enjoying myself.
Ivy grins. “Boy, am I enjoying the show,” she laughs, openly ogling the three men. Bonnie and I have been more discrete. Leave it to her to be straight out with it.
The “cabin” they’d brought us to isn’t so much a cabin as a mini mansion.
I expected a log cabin or something like that.
This isn’t that. It’s a four-bedroom, open concept house done up in what I can only call a gothic architecture style.
Stonework on the outside makes it perfect for the fall weather, gargoyle statues and all.
Instead, the walls are rich and dark, a variety of dark colors between rooms such as black, maroon, and emerald green.
Apparently, Cash’s aesthetic doesn’t just pertain to his wardrobe.
It’s his whole personality, and I really like that.
A man who has style and passions? Sign me up.
What that also means, however, is that there are at least a million and one things that Genie can break in here.
I’ve slowly been going around and placing anything that looks breakable higher up so she can’t destroy anything.
Though Cash has assured me everything can be replaced if something is broken, I’d rather not have Genie make a mess of what look like priceless statues.
Especially since she’s really in the destruction and accident phase right now.
Sawyer stands next to me, his face pointed toward the commotion coming from the baby gate. He’d tried to help at first, but both Cash and Oak had gestured for him to come keep me, Bonnie, and Ivy company.
“They’re always like this,” he says to me, shaking his head. “You get used to it.”
“Yeah?” I say, looking up at him. He’s handsome, that’s for sure. Sawyer looks like a Greek statue in a baseball hat which is a strange mixture. “You don’t join in on the arguments?”
“Not usually,” he chuckles. “I mostly keep to the farm stuff and show up when it’s my turn to film.”
“So, this is an actual farm, too?” I ask, surprised. “I thought it was just a front.”
“Oh, no. We’re a full-fledged dairy farm,” Sawyer replies. “A small one, but still successful. We have a herd of about five hundred milking cows. We also make artisan cheese. That’s usually my schtick. I really like cheese.”
“We have that in common,” I joke, smiling at him. “I also really like cheese.”
His face lights up. “I made this brie recently that goes well with—”
“Stop bombarding her with your cheese flavors, Saw,” Cash growls. “She ain’t here for that.” He finally turns the baby gate around after Oak grunts at him again and gets it going properly.
“I mean . . . I’d actually like to hear about it,” I say, smiling up at Sawyer. I’d very much like to see that look of passion cross his face again.
“You would?” Sawyer asks, his face flushing in embarrassment.
“I would,” I nod enthusiastically. “Did you know you’re eyes sparkle when you start talking about cheese? I kind of like that. A man after my own heart.”
Sawyer flushes brighter and clears his throat. “I enjoy the process.”
“Tell me about this brie you made,” I encourage.
Cash watches me carefully and then looks at Oak with a raised brow. “Bro has better game with cheese facts than I do with flirting. The world’s not fair.”
Ivy leans in closer. “I like cheese, too,” she purrs. “Gouda is my favorite.”
“An admirable favorite,” Sawyer nods, before launching into his explanation.
An hour later, I do, indeed, know a lot more cheese facts.
I know that cheese making originated over four thousand years ago and that you have to heat the milk with starter cultures and rennet so curds form.
I know you then separate them from the whey before they’re pressed and aged.
I also now know there are over two thousand types of cheese and I’ve been slacking on tasting them all.
Also, apparently it takes about ten pounds of milk to make one pound of cheese.
The entire time Sawyer talked about it, he was animated and lively, clearly loving what he does.
It makes me like him more.
A man with passions and hobbies is a good man in my experience.
And Sawyer seems like a good man. I’m tempted to ask about his eyes, but it feels rude when we’ve just met.
And besides, I don’t really get the chance to ask before the baby gate is complete and they’ve moved on to plugging every outlet in the cabin.
“All done,” Cash declares, coming back into the living room. “I don’t think there’s a thing in this house the little lady can get hurt on.”
It’s true. Not only had they plugged all the outlets, but Oak had found the old cabinet locks and installed them. Cash had also added little soft cushions to all the sharp corners. They’d done a damn good job baby proofing it, better than even I’ve done.
Bonnie nods her approval as she inspects everything. “It all looks good to me. Better than I even hoped for. You three have saved this old woman from having to panic chase Genie all over this house.”
“I really appreciate it,” I say again. “I’m sorry I didn’t mention it before. I didn’t think you’d want to work with me otherwise.”
Oak shrugs. “I was worried, but you brought help. Clearly, it won’t get in the way of the collaboration. If there’s anything else you need from us, let me know.”
Oak is the gruffest of the three, preferring only to interject in the conversation at less frequent intervals and only when he has something important to say.
He strikes me as the kind of man who only speaks when needed.
He doesn’t waste words. But, despite this and his literal bear-like appearance, I’d noticed a detail that doesn’t fit.
Around his neck, he wears a strand of white pearls, a strange juxtaposition with his plaid button down and cowboy hat.
Maybe he just likes pearls? I don’t know.
It doesn’t feel right to ask. Not when this is all fresh and new.
Genie waddles over to Cash and stretches her arms up toward him, demanding to be picked up. He glances at me. “Is that okay?”
“Sure,” I shrug. “Oh, but watch your—”
I’d been about to warn him. Cash has piercings, one in his eyebrow, a ring in his lip, a line of piercings up his ears, and Genie really likes shiny things. The moment he picks her up, before I can fully warn him, Genie has her little fingers on the lip ring and pulls.
“Ow!” Cash yelps, carefully reaching up to loosen her hold and lean back. “The little beast is feral!” he teases, making Genie giggle and try to reach for it again. “No, no, no. You can’t be pulling that out. I need it for the camera, little goblin.”
“Sorry,” I say, rushing over. “She’s only recently discovered piercings and really likes to grab them. We’ve been trying to curb it.”
“It’s fine,” Cash says with a grin. “She hasn’t done anything I ain’t had worse done. These things are pretty tough.”
Which is a lie. But I can tell he’s genuinely not bothered by Genie trying to reach for the other shinnies at his throat. Weirdly, the sight of this goth cowboy holding my daughter, cooing to her, does strange things me. It might be the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
I never used to think I was particularly maternal before Genie happened, but watching Cash holding her and being gentle does something to me I never expect. There’s just something about a good-looking man holding a baby that does it for me.
“I think she likes me,” Cash says proudly as Genie clamps her little hands on his face and starts trying to grab his eyeballs. “That or she wants to steal my eyes and wear them like a necklace. You didn’t spawn a little monster, did you?”
I laugh. “The jury’s still out on that one.”
His appeal only increases as he tries his best to avoid her grabbing fingers.