Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Damian
I leaned against the porch railing, coffee mug in hand, watching the yard as the sun climbed higher.
The mud from yesterday was drying out, and the air smelled like wet grass and hay.
Christian was out by the barn, brushing down one of the horses, and Cosmo was hauling a sack of feed from the truck, whistling some tune.
Everything was running smoothly, or it should’ve been.
Then Geraldine stepped out of the house, and I nearly choked on my coffee.
She had on this tight, black dress that was short and sleeveless and hugged her curves like it was painted on.
Her hair was loose and spilled over her shoulders, and she moved like she knew exactly what she was doing.
I set my mug down slowly and kept my eyes on her as she crossed the yard toward Christian.
“Morning, boys,” she said, her voice carrying over the crunch of gravel under her boots. Christian looked up, grinned, and tipped his hat back.
“Hey, Geraldine,” he said and ran the brush along the horse’s flank. “You’re looking fancy today.”
“I figured I’d clean up,” she said and leaned against the fence. “I got tired of leggings.”
“It works for me,” Cosmo called and dropped the feed sack by the barn door. He wiped his hands on his jeans and jogged over, that big smile plastered on his face. “Damn, you’re killing it in that dress.”
“Thanks,” she said and smirked, and crossed her arms. “I thought I’d give you something to look at while you work.”
“I appreciate it,” Cosmo said and nudged Christian. “Right?”
“Yeah,” Christian said and kept brushing, though I caught him stealing glances at her legs. “It makes the day better.”
I stayed quiet and sipped my coffee, watching them.
Cosmo was practically bouncing and tossed out compliments like candy, and Christian, usually laid-back, lingered longer than he needed to with that horse.
They were into her, hard. I could see it in the way Cosmo’s eyes lit up every time she laughed and how Christian’s hands slowed down, like he was half-focused on her instead of the job.
They were busy, sure, with feed to unload and horses to tend, but they were finding ways to hover around her and drawn like moths to a flame. It was starting to piss me off.
I set my mug on the railing and walked over, boots thudding on the dirt. “Do you two got time to flirt, or are you gonna get shit done today?” I said and stopped a few feet from them.
Cosmo turned and was still grinning. “Chill, bro. We’re multitasking.”
“Yeah,” Christian said and tossed the brush into a bucket. “Feed’s unloaded, horses are good. We’re fine.”
“You’re distracted,” I said, and crossed my arms. “Both of you. She’s been here two days, and you’re acting like teenagers. Focus.”
Geraldine raised an eyebrow and looked at me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means they’re tripping over themselves for you,” I said and nodded at them. “And it’s screwing with the ranch. We’ve got work to do, and I’m not letting this turn into a fight over you.”
“Who’s fighting?” Cosmo said and laughed and held up his hands. “We’re just having fun. Relax.”
“Yeah,” Christian said and leaned against the fence next to her. “No one’s throwing punches. Hey, Geraldine, do you wanna watch me clean the pens later? I could use an audience.”
“Sure,” she said and smiled at him. “It sounds better than sitting around.”
“See? All good,” Cosmo said and clapped me on the shoulder. “You’re wound too tight, Damian.”
I brushed his hand off and stared them down. “Keep it that way. She’s not worth you two going at each other. Get your heads straight.”
“Got it,” Christian said, but he was still grinning, and Cosmo just shook his head like I was overreacting.
I didn’t care. I’d seen how they looked at her, Cosmo with that flirty spark and Christian with that quiet heat, and I wasn’t about to let it mess up what we’d built here.
I turned and headed back to the house, and grabbed my mug off the railing as I went.
They could play their games, but I had paperwork to finish and a ranch to run.
Inside, I climbed the stairs to my room, and the wood creaked under my boots.
The hall was quiet, and I figured I’d get an hour of peace before the next round of chaos.
I pushed my door open, sat at my desk, and flipped open the ledger with feed costs, vet bills, and buyer orders.
It was normal stuff. I was halfway through a page when I heard footsteps behind me, light but steady.
I glanced over my shoulder, and Geraldine was standing in the doorway, her dress catching the light from the window.
“Hey,” she said and leaned against the frame. “What’s your problem?”
I set my pen down and turned my chair to face her. “I’ve got no problem. I’m just keeping things moving.”
“Bullshit,” she said and stepped inside and crossed her arms. “You’re pissed. What’s with the ‘she’s not worth it’ crap out there?”
“It’s not personal,” I said and leaned back. “Cosmo and Christian are losing focus. You’re a distraction.”
“So, what, I should hide in my room?” she said and tilted her head. “I didn’t ask them to drool over me.”
“I didn’t say you did,” I said. “But they are. And I’m not letting it turn into a mess.”
She smirked and walked closer and stopping a couple of feet from me. “Do you think they’re gonna fight over me? That’s cute.”
“It’s not cute,” I said, and stood up and met her gaze. “It’s stupid. They’re my friends, and this ranch is our life. You’re passing through. I don’t want trouble.”
“Do you think I’m trouble?” she asked, her voice dropping slightly and teasing.
“You know you are,” I said and kept my tone flat. “That dress alone’s enough to prove it.”
She laughed, short and sharp. “I’m glad you noticed. So, what’s your deal? You’re fine with me staying, but you don’t want me around?”
“I’m fine with you staying,” I said. “Just don’t screw with what we’ve got going. They’re into you. Keep it simple.”
“Simple’s boring,” she said and stepped closer, close enough I could smell her perfume, something light and spicy. “You’re not exactly immune either, are you?”
I didn’t move and just held her stare. “I’m not the one chasing you.”
“Maybe not,” she said and smirked again. “But you’re watching. Don’t pretend you’re above it.”
“I’m not pretending,” I said and stepped around her and headed for the door. “I’ve got work to do. Enjoy your day with Christian.”
“Hey,” she said and grabbed my arm, and stopped me. “What’s bugging you? You kissed me, remember? Now you’re acting like I’m a problem.”
I pulled my arm free and turned to face her. “That was a mistake. You’re here till your car’s fixed. That’s it. Don’t make it more.”
She crossed her arms again and studied me. “You’re a hardass, huh? Fine. I’ll watch Christian clean pens. You do your thing.”
“Good,” I said and walked out and left her standing there.
I headed downstairs and grabbed my hat from the hook, and stepped outside.
The air hit me cool and sharp, and I could see Christian and Cosmo still by the barn and laughing about something.
Geraldine’s boots clicked behind me as she followed, but I didn’t look back.
She’d go play with Christian, and I’d keep my distance.
That kiss was a slip, hot, yeah, but a slip, and I wasn’t about to let it pull me in like the other two.
I crossed the yard to the shed and grabbed a toolbox to check the fence posts out back.
Work kept me steady, and always had. Cosmo and Christian could flirt all they wanted, but I wasn’t letting her shake Red Rock.
She’d be gone soon enough, and we’d be fine.
I just had to keep my head on straight till then.