Chapter 2
Chapter Two
CHASE
“You doing alright, Verne?”
“I’m fine,” Verne grumbles. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You called me out here to help with the fence. Just checking.”
“Just fucking fine.” He flips me the bird before lighting up a cigarette. “Mind your business.”
His back is more hunched than it used to be and his pace is a bit slower.
Verne has been working this ranch since his dad handed it down to him some fifty-odd years ago. His skin is old and leathery, having spent nearly every one of those days in the sun on the fields.
“Which fence needs mending?”
His jaw cracks as he adjusts his wide, worn-in Stenson. “The one that butts up to the old barn on the north forty.”
“Got it.”
“That old piece of crap needs to be torn down.”
“I can help with that.”
He shakes his head. “You have a bar to run. I don’t need your pity out here getting stuff done.”
“I don’t mind helping out,” I say, not for the first time.
“Go mend the fence. That’s all the help I need.”
“Got it.”
Hopping on Lollipop, the young mare, we start the trek out across the ranch. A cold wind cuts across the open field.
Would it be easier to take the old access roads out? Yes. But having been cooped up at the bar for the last few weeks, I need the fresh air.
The holidays are always busy at The Dusty Spur, so any chance I have to get out here and help Verne, I’ll take it.
Even if he bitches and moans the entire time.
It helps to put the woman I can’t stop thinking about out of my head.
Rylee Clarke.
Now that she’s home for good, it’s hard not to think about her. Considering I run the only bar in town, she’s a frequent visitor with her friends. Especially since she’s best friends with my younger sister.
When did she get so damn sexy?
It certainly wasn’t the first time I’ve seen her at the bar, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She is so fucking sexy, it hurts.
It’s a good hour trek out to the damaged fence and it does nothing to quell the thoughts of Rylee.
By the time I make it to the fence, the temps have dropped and it smells like snow is coming. Grabbing the tools from my bag, I grab the new wire to start the repair. I don’t know how often the cattle come out here, but the last thing Verne needs is the cows getting loose.
Working out here isn’t the easiest job when the wind starts howling, but it’s damn satisfying helping Verne as he gets older.
Gloves don’t help, and by the time I’m clipping the last of the wires to secure everything in place, my fingers are damn near frozen. I put everything back into my bag and grab an apple for Lollipop.
“You ready to head back, girl?” I ask, stroking her neck as she chomps down on the apple.
I don’t get a response, but hop back into the saddle and set a faster pace on the way back. Lollipop doesn’t need much to urge her on, wanting to stretch her legs as we run through the fields.
Damn. I really need to get out here more often. Being stuck in the bar all the time, I rarely get to come riding.
The barn comes into view, and it’s like Lollipop knows it’s home and picks up her pace.
Stowing the saddle, I head back to brush her out as she chomps on hay. Even though the ranch isn’t in the best shape, the barn is toasty. Perfect for all the horses.
“Think you’d want to go riding again?” I ask her.
This time, I get a whinny in response.
I smile at her. “Yeah, I’ll come back out, Lollipop.”
Closing the gate behind me, I head back up to the main building to drop the keys off on Verne’s desk. Walking through the lobby, I stop short when I see a familiar face.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, shocked to see Rylee out here.
She smiles at me, leaning against the front desk. “I was going to pick Joey up to grab dinner tonight, but Max is sick.”
I nod, scrubbing a hand down the back of my neck. “I know. I offered to take dinner over, but my mom is taking care of it.”
“Poor guy. Not the time of year to be sick.”
“Better than being sick over Christmas.”
Her eyes skim over me. I feel it everywhere. “Do you have to go to the bar tonight?”
“No. I got the guys to cover since I was out in the fields all day.”
“Do you want to go out with me then?”
“Really?”
“Why not?” She shrugs a shoulder. “I’m free and you have to eat.”
I should say no. Being alone with Rylee? It’s a temptation I don’t need. But apparently my mouth doesn’t get the message from my brain.
“As long as you let me pay.”
“How chivalrous of you.”
“C’mon. I know there are extras in the kitchen. There were some cancellations tonight.”
Rylee looks around the main building. It’s nothing like it used to be. “I can’t imagine why.”
Cobwebs stick to the corners of the ceilings. Wallpaper peels from the old plaster. Carpets are worn thin and the windows need a good scrubbing.
“I keep trying to tell Verne he needs to fix it up or he’s going to lose the whole ranch because no one wants to come visit.”
“He’s a stubborn old man. Harvey has to make his breakfast special every day at the diner even though his order hasn’t been on the menu since Arlene died.”
I shake my head. “It’s that attitude that is going to get him in trouble.”
Waving to the chef, I grab two plates and carry them out to the dining room. One couple is eating by the fireplace as another is finishing up. I lead us to a table in the corner to give us some privacy.
Pulling the lids off the plates, I slide one over to Rylee.
“Well, I hope you like burgers.”
“I love burgers,” she says, tearing into it, smiling around the bite in her mouth. She squirts ketchup onto her plate and drags a fry through it before eating it.
Why is Rylee the perfect woman?
She doesn’t care what she’s eating in front of me as I eat my own burger.
“You know, I really don’t eat many burgers after working at the diner all day, but this is good.”
“This chef is world class. If only he had more people to cook for.”
She sets her burger down on her plate and wipes her hands on the napkin. “Would you ever want to come work out here?”
“I am not cut out for it.”
Rylee reaches over and squeezes my bicep and fuck, that is a straight shot to my groin.
Nope. Not going there.
“With these muscles from hauling kegs? You totally could work in the fields.”
“Would you miss me at the bar?” I ask, fishing for an answer.
“Of course.” She clasps her hands under her chin and rests her elbows on the table. “Who else would give us free drinks?”
“Ouch. I guess I know what I’m good for.”
Sliding her chair over, Rylee’s knees knock into mine as she closes the distance.
“You know you’re good for a lot more than that.”
“Oh yeah?”
She nods. “Yeah.”
Rylee leans closer. Up close, gold flecks glimmer in her blue eyes. I’ve never noticed that before. I’ve never let myself notice it before.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
Her mouth is an inch from mine. It’s the only reason I can feel the smile that graces those lips of hers.
“I thought it was fairly obvious, Chase.”
“Rylee…” I cup her cheek, brushing my thumb over her bottom lip. “What about—”
“Joey?” she finishes.
“Yeah.”
“She’s not here right now.”
“But—”
Her mouth slants over mine. It stops any argument I might have. Hell, it puts an end to any thought I have except for how fucking good her mouth feels against mine.
I pull her over onto my lap and deepen the kiss.
Oh, fuck.
Her nails scrape through my scalp as I stroke my tongue along hers. Every sound she makes is music to my ears. Her lithe body moves over mine, hardening my cock.
“Fuck, Ry.”
“Mmm. I like you saying my name like that.”
“Ry,” I whisper against her lips.
“I want more, Chase.”
I slow the kiss, pulling back from her and staring at her kiss-swollen lips. “No.”
“What?” That one word breaks through the lust-induced haze she’s in.
“Not tonight. I have to be up early tomorrow and I plan on taking my time with you.”
“Ugh.” She drops her forehead to mine. “You’re killing me, Chase.”
“Honey, you’re not the only one.” I thrust my hips up, letting her feel how hard I am. “But we can’t do this in the middle of the dining room.”
Her fingers walk down my chest. “Are you sure I can’t help take care of the problem?”
Grabbing her hand, I press a kiss to her palm before she can go any farther. “Like I said, not tonight.”
“Then I’m coming to the bar tomorrow.”
I laugh. “You think that’s going to get me to sleep with you?”
She wiggles her hips over me before standing. “I have my ways, Chase. Just you wait.”
Fuck. I don’t think I’ll be able to wait.
Because one taste of Rylee Clarke and I’m addicted.
Stealing one last kiss, I trail my lips to her ear.
“I’ll be waiting.”