Chapter Fourteen
June was still a bit hesitant when Ellie picked her up on Wednesday afternoon.
“Are you sure I won’t be in the way? I don’t have to stay for the night, I can go back after dinner.
” Being where she wasn’t supposed to be had been an all-too-familiar feeling growing up; it wasn’t an experience she wanted to repeat.
She would love to see more of the ranch, though.
As Ellie drove away from her house, she touched June’s arm. “I wouldn’t have asked you to come home with me this afternoon and to stay with us tonight if it was a problem. We like you, June, you better get used to it.”
“Thank you and thanks for last night. I really had a great time at the book club.”
“We so enjoy your input. You certainly do know your classics. I don’t know if you’ve been on a ranch before, but I think you’ll enjoy seeing what happens this time of year around here.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” June said. “Last year when I was here, I drove past all the beautiful pastures, but I only had one mission and that was to talk to Becket. This will be my first time on a ranch. I grew up in Seattle, so I’m very much a city girl.”
“I lived in Phoenix before I moved here,” Ellie said shaking her head. “Now I can’t imagine ever living in a city again.”
As they left town, June looked through the window at the gorgeous mountains all around them. “It’s so beautiful. The day I arrived in town, it was raining so I couldn’t see much, but this view is breathtaking.”
“I never tire of it,” Ellie smiled. “We’re very fortunate to live in such a picturesque part of the country. I’m so glad you’ve agreed to spend the night with us. Waking up on a ranch is such a special experience.”
They chatted for a few minutes before Ellie’s car slowed down. “Here we are.”
June’s heart kicked up a beat. She’d texted Dylan earlier to say he didn’t have to pick her up, Ellie was bringing her.
Whether he’d seen the message yet, she didn’t know, and she didn’t want to check while she was with Ellie.
She knew the teasing was meant well, but she still wasn’t comfortable with the idea that everyone knew what was going on between her and Dylan.
“If you’re game,” Ellie said as she stopped in front of a beautiful house, “I can take you to where the guys are working, checking on bulls. During summer the herd is sorted in their different breeding groups.” Ellie laughed. “Don’t worry, I still don’t know what that means. What do you say?”
“Yes, I’d love to see what they’re doing, thanks.”
“Great. Willow is also helping them. She brought a pair of boots for you earlier. Apparently, she bought them a while ago but has never worn them, they’re too tight for her. According to her, they will fit you.”
“But how does she know my shoe size?”
Laughing, Ellie opened her door and got out. “I don’t know. What I can tell you is that the boots will fit you.”
As June got out of Ellie’s car, she inhaled the fresh air and turned to look around.
Slowly, as if she’d been holding her breath for way too long, she exhaled.
Her senses gobbled up everything around her—the birds chirping, the scent of soil and animals around her, the sun warming her back, the ground underneath her feet, the sight of the majestic mountains.
This … this was what coming home felt like. This land, this ranch made her feel at home.
“… June?” Ellie’s voice finally penetrated her thoughts.
“Sorry,” June smile, “it’s just so beautiful. Those mountains,” she said pointing to rugged mountains all around them, “what are they called?”
“We are at the base of the Absaroka Range, a sub-range of the Rocky Mountains. It really is something, isn’t it?”
“Breathtaking.” June sighed as she took her bag from the car. This wasn’t her home. She was merely visiting.
*
“Well, ain’t that a sight for sore eyes,” Becket drawled. They were side by side on their horses as they finally managed to settle down a particular ornery bull. It had been one of those days where every hand on the ranch was needed. Both Becket and Willow had pitched in to help.
Dylan had been so preoccupied all day he hadn’t been paying attention to what was going on around them. Not having slept properly for two nights in a row probably had something to do with it as well.
“What?” he asked as he looked up. That was when he noticed the two women near the fence. Like Ellie, the other woman was also wearing cowboy boots and a hat. His heart kicked up a beat. If he wasn’t mistaken the lady was his June.
He frowned. Only his June was talking to his brother.
Somewhere during the day, he’d seen her text telling him Ellie would pick her up. There simply hadn’t been time to answer. He couldn’t believe she’d actually ventured out of the ranch house. She had city girl written all over her.
Dylan quickly got off his horse and with his hand on the bridle, moved toward the fence. June had literally been on his mind all day while they’d been checking bulls.
As he approached the fence, both she and Carson looked up.
“Thanks,” Carson said to June, tipping his hat. “I’m definitely interested, thank you. We should talk.” With a grin, he left.
“Hi.” June smiled, putting her hand on the fence.
“Hey you.” Unable to resist touching her, he grabbed her hand. “I didn’t know you’d be visiting the horses. You should’ve told me.”
“You’re pretty impressive, cowboy,” she teased. “It was fascinating watching you guys work. And you—it’s so obvious you love what you do. Is someone the boss or how does it work?”
Smiling, he looked back at the other cowboys.
“Ranching’s in the blood I suppose, and yeah, I love this.
Not one day is the same. We manage the ranch together with Hayden and Hunter.
Cooper, Willow, and Becket help out during busy times.
Hayden is the grazing expert whereas Carson and I focus on seedstock production and the breeding program. ”
“There’s a breeding program?”
“Yes, we use hair samples, DNA, and testing to determine which bull should try and mate with each cow.”
“Shame, how unromantic.” She chuckled.
Laughing, he touched her face. “They don’t mind. So what did Carson want?”
“I’ve seen his photographs and wanted to talk to him about publishing his work.”
Behind him someone called out. He had work to do.
“I … I have to go, I’ll see you later?”
Smiling radiantly, she nodded.
Grinning like an idiot, he got back on his horse to finish the work of the day. When he glanced over his shoulder minutes later, they were gone. Knowing she’d be here, on the ranch at the end of this long day, was giving him new energy. It was only for today, though, he shouldn’t forget that.
Sighing, he tried to concentrate on the task at hand. The bulls were bellowing at each other across pastures, warning the other guys to stay away from their cows.
Shaking his head, Dylan grinned. Things weren’t so different where humans were concerned. He’d be ready to bellow himself if any other man so much as wanted to lay a hand on June.
June was leaving one of these days, a little voice reminded him. Whatever this was between them, was temporary. Besides, he didn’t have anything to offer a city girl. She might enjoy a day out on a ranch, but as she’d already said, her life was in Seattle.
*
June was laying the table when Becket returned home on Wednesday evening. Wanting to give him and Ellie some privacy, she returned to her room. She also wanted to get her phone out to check the notes she’d made to discuss with Becket about his next project.
Her phone rang.
It was Dylan. Her heart kicked up a beat, the butterflies stirred.
“I’m just going to have a shower.” Just the sound of his voice made her knees weak and she quickly sat down. “I won’t be long. Have you enjoyed the ranch?”
“I have, yes. It’s beautiful. I saw your friend Lucy again. You know, the one who told you to get married if you want babies.”
Dylan’s low chuckle woke up the butterflies. “She told me she knew you need two people to make babies.”
“And,” June hastened to change the subject. She hadn’t planned on telling Dylan she’d met Lucy again, let alone told him what she’d said. “Ellie also showed me the stables. I think I’ve lost my heart to Midnight.”
“He has that effect on all women,” Dylan laughed. “Keep a small piece of your heart for me, too, though, would you?”
As his velvety voice slid down her spine, she caught her breath. Not only a small piece but her whole heart belonged to him.
Impossible though it sounded, she’d gone and fallen in love with the cowboy.
“Dylan …”
“See you later!” his voice drowned out her voice and he ended the call.
Slowly she put her phone down. Around her everything went quiet.
Putting her hand on her heart, she tried to inhale, but her body was way too small.
Was this love? This deep connection to another human being, the strange feeling she’d had earlier that this place, this ranch was home, the constant longing to be with Dylan, to touch him, the pleasure to see him smile, to see him happy?
Then there was this craziness inside of her, the butterflies, her heart fluttering—things she’d never experienced before. Could it actually be something more than a fleeting moment of lust?
Sighing, she rubbed her temple. Maybe it was only because Dylan was a great kisser.
Kissing had never been something she’d enjoyed before, but Dylan?
He knew exactly how to turn her knees to jelly.
Even now, sitting here in a strange house, just thinking about being close to him had her heart galloping away at an alarming rate.
Could it be love? Would she even know if it was?
Whatever it was, she had to forget about it. Dylan had been very clear. He didn’t want anything permanent, so she could never tell him about her feelings.
What was also becoming increasingly clear was that she couldn’t stay here. Seeing Dylan, sharing a bed with him, making love to him, would eventually break her heart.
*