Chapter Nine #3
He felt foolish for surmising they could be lovers.
It hadn’t taken him long to realize the only thing between the two men was a friendship and mutual respect, though the pair couldn’t be more different.
Finley was warm and open where Cash was aloof and enigmatic, but they shared a work ethic that was unparalleled.
Since the time he arrived, he’d witnessed Cash working in the trenches with everyone else, including shoveling shit in the horse barn.
He didn’t complain or make excuses for someone else to do the dirty work.
Cash greeted each of the horses with affection and snuck them treats when Finley wasn’t looking.
Even Nellie seemed to tolerate him well.
She hadn’t tried to bite his ass even once.
Cash had laughed and said, “We understand each other. I pay for the food Nellie likes to eat.”
Kieran had thought about that for a few days while observing everything happening around them.
The farm operation and payroll had to cost a small fortune.
Was he supposed to believe Cash paid that out of his personal wealth?
He understood the ranch generated income from selling hops and honey but enough to float the operation?
Did Cash have a partner or silent investors?
Every time Kieran turned around, he had more questions about Cash Sweeney, and many were ones he could ask the rancher himself without raising suspicion.
He should be hanging around the ranch and trying to get answers instead of going to the art festival.
Then Finley glanced over at him and smiled.
Kieran’s heart skipped a beat, and he decided he could chat Cash up at breakfast the next morning.
“No way, Fin,” Cash said when Kieran reached them. “Thank goodness Kieran is here to settle the debate.”
Kieran arched a brow. “I’ll try.”
“If you only got to choose one dessert to eat for the rest of your life, would it be cherry crisp or coconut cream pie?”
“Cherry crisp.”
“Yes!” Finley said, punching the air. His smug smile only made his lips look more kissable.
Cash sighed and shook his head. “I’m so disappointed.”
Finley patted him on the shoulder. “Luckily, you aren’t forced to settle for cherry crisp, and I will bring you back a piece of coconut cream from the diner.”
“And that’s why you’re my favorite,” Cash said, causing Finley to snort and roll his eyes. “You guys have a great time.”
Favorite? Kieran looked between them, trying to figure out the private joke.
Finley must’ve read the confusion in his gaze because he said, “Which one of us is Cash’s favorite is a running joke on the ranch.”
“Is there a point system?” Kieran asked. “A cash prize for the winner?”
Cash tilted his head back and laughed. “Bragging rights. Don’t give these guys any more incentive to become menaces.” He pushed off the truck and stepped forward. “Don’t let me keep you guys. Drive safe.”
“Always,” Finley said as he rounded the vehicle.
Cash whistled a jaunty tune as he headed toward the house.
If Kieran stood there watching him too long, Finley might get the impression that he had the hots for the rancher.
He pulled the passenger door open and climbed inside the cab, which was spotless and smelled like a forest. Kieran glanced at the rearview mirror and saw a cardboard tree with the New Hope logo swinging from it.
“Your mom makes air fresheners too?” Kieran asked as Finley started the engine.
His boss shifted the truck into drive and pressed the accelerator. “She dabbles in a bit of everything.”
Kieran thought about the little bottle of lube and shifted in his seat when his pants felt too tight. “What do you like to use besides the salve?” Why the hell had he asked that? It was too personal, and he’d only imagine the man using each product. Too bad he couldn’t take it back.
Unaware of his discomfort, Finley rattled off his favorites.
“She customizes shampoos and conditioners to meet individual needs and lets you choose your own scents. They look like bars of soap, so there’s no plastic waste.
I like her goat’s milk soaps, deodorants, and lip balms. She also makes a thick hand lotion that helps prevent cracking during the winter months. ”
As he feared, Kieran pictured Finley running through his morning routine and had to shift in his seat again.
“Her products are affordable if you want to stop in while we’re in town and check them out. Just don’t divulge too much about your romantic woes, or she’ll try to fix you up with somebody.”
Kieran glanced over at Finley and caught him smirking. He wanted to ask about his woes but wouldn’t. “Is that what she does to you?”
“Sometimes.”
“You ever take her up on her offer?” Kieran pressed, then silently cursed himself.
“I haven’t yet.”
Yet. The paltry word implied there was a possibility Finley could or would let his mom set him up with someone. “Sounds like you’re thinking about it.”
Finley briefly met his gaze before returning his attention to the road. “I am.”
“Because of the guy who joined the cult?” So much for not pressing for more information. Kieran wished he could take the words back as soon as he’d said them. “Never mind. It’s none of my business.”
A ghost of a smile formed on Finley’s lips. “It’s okay. I have a history of dating the wrong guys, and Keegan was just the nail in the coffin. Since I no longer trust myself, I figured why not let my mom take a swing at it.”
“I’m sorry.”
Finley glanced at him again. “Don’t be. And it’s okay to ask me anything. If I don’t want to answer, I won’t.”
A slew of things came to mind, but the one that escaped Kieran’s lips was, “What’s the deal with the jockstrap?”
Finley applied the brake a little too hard at the stop sign, and Kieran’s seat belt tightened across his chest and abdomen. He grunted and loosened the belt when Finley eased up on the brake. “Sorry about that,” he said sheepishly.
“Not sorrier than I am about my question. What the fuck?”
Finley burst out laughing, which eased the tension gripping Kieran’s heart. He checked both ways, then accelerated forward. “I wear a cup when I work with the friskier horses that might buck or rear back. I’ve had my balls racked enough to know better.”
“Oh,” Kieran said, his voice too flat for his liking. “Makes sense.” Even though it was damn disappointing. What did he expect? That Finley would confess he had an OnlyFans channel where he sprawled on a bed wearing nothing but a jockstrap and did delectable things to his tight body?
“They’ve come in handy at other times too,” Finley offered. Kieran jerked his head in Finley’s direction and caught him smirking like the devil. “Football,” he said. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”
“I… It wasn’t in the—”
“Liar,” Finley said. “All you boys go gaga eyes over those things, so why the hell wouldn’t I use it to show off my best asset when I want to impress a guy?”
Kieran’s shirt suddenly seemed too tight around the neck. He hated that his desire for Finley was so naked. He released the top button, even though he knew it wasn’t the problem. He deeply regretted not rubbing one out before they’d left when his dick started to harden.
“I’m sorry,” Finley said, his voice heavy with genuine regret. “That was really inappropriate of me to say to an employee. I don’t suppose we can pretend I never said it?”
Kieran looked over and met his solemn green gaze. There was a fat chance in hell he’d forget, but he said, “What were we talking about again?” The tension in Finley’s jaw eased, and he knew it was the right thing to say.
Last Chance Creek had turned the fields at the edge of town into an event parking space, and it was already packed with cars when Finley found a spot big enough for the ranch truck.
Main Street was closed to traffic so booths and vendors could set up on both sides of the road.
There were more people in Last Chance Creek than he’d seen in a long time, and for a moment, the crowd seemed to close in on him.
Kieran took a few deep breaths, and the panic receded a little.
“Too soon?” Finley asked softly.
Kieran made Finley’s green eyes his center of focus until the rest of his tension eased. “I want to be here.”
Finley held his gaze for a few moments, then nodded. “We can leave anytime and without question. Just let me know.”
Kieran’s next breath flowed in and out without a hitch, and he knew he was ready.
He tilted his head toward the festivities and merged into the crowd.
Finley fell into step with him, and Kieran had the sudden urge to reach for his hand.
Every medium of art and craft seemed to be on display as they wandered between the booths.
He feasted his eyes on vibrant oil paintings depicting life in the Rockies, admired charcoal sketches of wildlife, and ran his fingers over an intricately woven tapestry.
Finley posed for a caricature drawing, and the artist turned him into a cowboy superhero.
“With a jawline like yours, I couldn’t help myself,” she told him.
“Thank you,” Finley told her. “I’ve never seen myself that way.”
“Your horses do,” Kieran said.
Finley turned his jewellike eyes on Kieran and smiled.
God, how easy it would be to palm his neck and pull him in for a kiss.
Finley’s gorgeous lips parted like he could read his mind.
Someone bumped into Kieran, jostling the idea out of his head before he could do something stupid.
They continued down the row of booths without making a colossal mistake.
He glanced over at the storefronts and found the bookstore he’d seen during his first visit.
“Mind if we go in there?” Kieran said, gesturing to the shop.
“Not at all. It’s my favorite store in town.” He leaned closer and said, “But please don’t tell my mom.”
Kieran chuckled. “I won’t.”