Chapter 2 #2
Typically, if I were in such a small space with a man, I’d be ready to crawl out of my skin, but I’m not nervous right now. I’m cautious, but I think any woman should be when they’re in the middle of nowhere with a man they don’t know.
But I don’t want to run away, and that’s a big deal for me.
“Can we see some of the animals before we get my things?” I ask him.
“You bet, let’s do it.” He holds the door open for me, and I have to skirt past him. I move my shoulder to the side so I don’t brush against him and then sigh in relief when we’re outside and I can put a couple feet between us.
I’ve missed being around this man. There’s something about him that tells me that I don’t need to be wary of him, and damn it, I love the way he smiles at me. I don’t want to love it. But I do.
I hated quitting without telling him. He was the best part of working at Kay’s. I loved seeing him every week. He’s so fucking handsome, so funny and kind. Honestly, I missed him for a long time after I stopped working at the diner.
“When did you take over the ranch?” I ask, wanting to fill the silence.
“I’d been slowly taking over for a while, but my dad officially retired about three years ago. He moved into a house in town, and he’s seeing a woman, which shocked all of us. He comes out here now and again to help with things, but it’s not often these days. He’s enjoying retirement.”
“And how many siblings do you have?”
I like his voice. It’s deep, and he doesn’t talk too fast, like he has all the time in the world. I could listen to him all day.
“Two brothers, Xander and Easton, and two sisters. Ava and Harper. I’m the oldest.”
Ava and Harper. The irony here is, they’re friends of mine, like I said. And yet, I never realized that Tucker was the guy from the diner because I’d never met him. I just heard his sisters and my friend Juliet talk about him once in a while.
A heads-up would have been nice. Maybe I should get on social media so I’m not always out of the loop. It’s just . . . I hate social media.
We fall back into step, and for the next hour, he shows me his horses, sheep, and goats, and then we ride out to the pasture in a side-by-side so he can tell me about his operations.
“It’s mainly a cattle ranch,” he says as he drives over the field. “We sell the cattle every year for beef. I also sell the goats and the wool from the sheep.”
I nod, taking in the beautiful scenery around us.
“Your horses are in excellent condition.” His barn is incredible. Clean, with new tack, and lovingly tended to.
That’s not always the case. Neglect is easy for those who are lazy when it comes to their animals. I’ve seen horses with hooves that are far too long, animals with injuries that were never tended to. It breaks my heart. But there’s none of that here.
“All of my animals are healthy and well cared for,” he replies and points to the cows.
“This herd here is about half of what I have on the property. I have another herd in a different pasture, about two miles from here. We’ll go out to check on them tomorrow.
Where did you go after you quit the diner? ”
I blink at the quick change in conversation.
“I helped my sister with her wedding business for a while, and I was secretly taking college classes.”
“Secretly?”
I nod, keeping my eyes on the cows. Why am I telling him this? I never talk about my personal life with anyone, and definitely not about why I decided to go to college.
“I didn’t want my family to know because my brother would have tried to pay for it, and I didn’t know if it would work out. But it did. And then I went to Colorado to finish my degree.”
“And now you’re back.”
I nod and nibble on my lip, reminded that I lost my ChapStick. I need to buy a new one. “I didn’t think I’d come back ever again, aside from short visits here and there. I never planned to move home.”
He’s quiet for a heartbeat, as if he doesn’t like that last comment. I glance over and see his jaw tic. “Why not?”
His voice is hushed, and it feels like we’re in a cocoon, sitting here in this vehicle, watching the cows roam around and eat. I don’t know him. I never did, not really.
And yet, I’m tempted to tell him so much more than I’ve ever confessed to anyone else. Things that no one should ever know.
“Because Bitterroot Valley was not the wholesome, happy place for me that it is for so many others. It doesn’t hold good memories for me. But I missed my sisters and my brother, and well. Here I am.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” he says quietly. “I’ll keep it professional, if that’s what you want.”
I swallow thickly and nod. “I appreciate that.”
“Let’s go unpack your car.”
He drives us back to the house, and when I open the back of my SUV, Tucker laughs.
“Jesus, you weren’t kidding. Where’s the rest of your stuff?”
“This is it.”
Two suitcases, one box, and a couple of tote bags.
My whole life, right there.
“These are all of your belongings.” He lifts an eyebrow, and his green eyes watch me with humor, and holy shit, why does he have to be so fucking hot?
“Yep. I’m not a hoarder. I don’t hold onto shit that I don’t need.
” I reach for the suitcases, but he brushes my hand aside and takes the big luggage himself, leaving me the totes.
It only takes us two trips to get everything unloaded and carried to the cabin.
“You can put the box there on the kitchen counter.”
He does as I ask and stands on the other side of the counter as I open the box and pull out some food.
Protein shake mix, protein bars, trail mix, nuts, dried fruit.
He lifts an eyebrow, and I return the gesture, enjoying the hell out of him.
“What?”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You’re judging me.” I narrow my eyes at him, beginning to feel the easy flirtation that I always felt before slide between us, and it feels so damn good, I want to hold onto it. I want to bottle it and bring it out whenever I need it.
“I am definitely not doing that.” God, his smile could end entire wars. He has such a calm presence. I should be asking him to leave, but I actually don’t mind having him here in my space.
“You are,” I reply and turn to open a cupboard and place my snacks on the shelf. The back of my shirt rides up, and I quickly yank it down, then glance at him to make sure he didn’t see it.
He’s reading the back of the protein powder container, thank God.
“These are easy and quick things to eat when I’m on the run, which is often.”
He nods. “Too bad they all taste like shit.”
“It’s an acquired taste.”
His green eyes lift to meet mine, and everything in me goes gooey.
Fucking gooey.
What in the actual hell? I’m never gooey over anyone, least of all because of a man.
“As long as you’re eating, that’s all that matters.”
He sets the tub aside and watches me for a long moment. Even the silent moments with him are comfortable.
I’m in an alternate universe where I’m not leery of anything with a dick.
“You’re welcome to join me at the house for dinner.”
“Oh, thank you, but I’m meeting with my family for dinner.”
“It’s a standing invitation, Duchess.” His eyes roam over my face, and it sends a little thrill down my spine. “You’re the prettiest fucking thing.”
“I thought you were going to remain professional, Hotshot.”
“Oh, I am. Doesn’t negate the fact that you’re a smoke show.” He walks to the door and glances back at me, making my lady bits do the foxtrot. “We’ll start at six tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll be ready.”
With a nod, he walks out of my cabin, shutting the door behind him.
I’m working for Tucker Hendrix, who just so happens to be the only man in the world that I’d like to climb like a tree. More than once.
This is going to be a nightmare.