Chapter Six
Colby
Mornings used to be simple: coffee, feed the animals, and a list of things to fix before noon. But nowadays they’re complicated as hell, thanks to one fiery redhead who seems hell-bent on turning my world inside out.
I can’t stop replaying last night in the barn, and it’s messing me up in ways I haven’t felt in years. Every time I think I’ve got her out of my head, there she is again, strutting through my mind, stirring up thoughts and feelings I have no business thinking or feeling.
I shouldn’t be thinking about her lips and the way they tasted. Or her hips and how perfect they were for my hands. Or the way she moaned and whimpered as I took her apart, piece by piece.
But it’s all I can think about.
Even now, as I’m leaning against the fence, sipping a cup of coffee, and watching her work with Linux, I can’t get my mind out of the damn gutter. All I can see is the curve of her ass, the bounce of her tits, and the flush of her cheeks.
I’ve got it bad.
It’s ridiculous, really. She’s half my age, and a kid compared to me, but she’s so damn beautiful and sexy and passionate. She’s not just a pretty face, and maybe that’s what’s got me so tied up. She’s got grit and fire.
And, dammit, she’s got a mouth on her.
A mouth I can’t stop thinking about.
I can still taste her on my tongue, and the memory has my cock rock-hard. It’s like she’s taken over every cell in my body, and there’s no getting her out.
Not that I want her out.
Fuck.
What is wrong with me?
I rake a hand through my hair and sigh. I don’t know what the hell is happening. Maybe I’m going soft in my old age. Or maybe it’s just because it’s been so damn long since I’ve had a woman.
Whatever the reason, I’ve got a problem.
And that problem is named River.
Just as I’m about to turn around and force myself to go back inside the house, a red pickup truck pulls up the drive and kicks up a cloud of dust.
I watch as it pulls to a stop and an older man hops out, then walks over to the fence and gives a friendly wave.
“Colby Burke,” the man says, smiling and stretching his hand out for me to take.
“Good to see you, John.” I shake his hand and tip my hat.
John and his family are the only other ranching operation for miles. They own a little over two-thousand acres of prime Montana real estate, and a couple of rodeo stock contracts. They’re a good family, and their ranch has been thriving just as long as my family’s has, if not longer.
“How’s the herd?”
“Good,” I respond. “We’ve got some new bulls coming in the next few weeks. Looking forward to the calving season.”
“I’ll bet. How’s that stallion of yours?”
“Linux? He’s coming along. River’s got a good hand with him.”
“River? Is that the redhead?”
I nod.
“She’s a beauty. Where’d you find her?”
“That’s Thurston’s daughter.”
“No shit.” His brows lift, and he lets out a low whistle. “I haven’t seen her in years. Last I remember, she was still in pigtails and playing with her dolls. She’s grown into a fine young woman.”
“Yep. That she has. Care to come inside for a cup of coffee?”
“That sounds like just the thing,” John replies, and we start walking toward the house.
River glances over at us, and the second she sees John, her eyes go wide. “Mr. Miller!”
“Well, well. If it isn’t the Thurston girl,” he chuckles. “It’s good to see you. Been too long.”
River smiles at him and steps up to the fence, resting her elbows on the top rung. “How are you, sir?”
“Oh, just fine, honey. Just fine. What are you doing way out here?”
“I’m Mr. Burke’s new ranch hand.”
“Are you now?” He turns to me and arches an eyebrow.
I give a subtle nod.
“Well, good for you, kid.” He pats her on the arm. “You let me know if this old coot doesn’t treat you right.”
She flashes a grin, and the sight makes my chest feel like it’s caving in. Goddamn, she’s gorgeous.
“He’s treating me just fine, sir. You don’t have to worry.”
“Well, good.” John claps his hands together. “Now, Colby and I have some ranch talk to do, so I’ll leave you to your work.”
“All right. It was good to see you, Mr. Miller.”
“You, too, honey.”
River tips her hat and turns her attention back to Linux. The stallion is standing quietly, watching her as she circles him.
John and I head inside the house and take our usual spots at the table. I pour him a cup of coffee and pass him a slice of bread and a jar of preserves, because I know the man is always hungry.
“So,” he says, spooning some jelly onto his bread. “How long has River been working for you?”
“About a month now.”
“Hmm. I didn’t know she was even out this way. You know, last I heard, she was down south, running wild with those boys and chasing trouble.”
I have to force myself not to wince at the idea of her with someone else. Which is crazy, because it shouldn’t matter. She’s not mine. Not by a long shot.
“Last time I spoke to Thurston, he said she’d gotten herself into some trouble down there and was trying to clean up her act. That true?”
I shrug. “As far as I know. He asked me to give her a shot here on the ranch, and I owe him that much. He’s helped us all out in a bind more than once. Can’t say I was thrilled about hiring a woman for the job, but she’s proved me wrong so far.”
John nods and takes a sip of his coffee. “She’s a good worker, then?”
“One of the best I’ve seen. Smart too.”
“Well, good for her. I’m glad she’s found her way out here. Especially after what that boy put her through.”
I look at him and cock an eyebrow. “What boy?”
“Her ex. Heard he did a number on her. Ran her through the mud. I’m sure Thurston told you all about it.”
“She’s mentioned a bit of it, but I don’t know much of the details.”
John nods. “They were engaged. Young love and all. You remember what that’s like.”
I nod.
“Anyway, I guess he’d been stepping out on her for a while. When she found out and tried to hightail it outta there, he did a number on her. Her father said she had to get a restraining order against him.”
I try not to let my face betray my reaction, but my blood is boiling. That son-of-a-bitch. He had her and treated her like shit. And he deserves to be castrated for it. “Did he now?”
“Yeah. From what I’ve heard, that boy was bad news. Thurston was just glad to see her get out of there. Figures there’s no way that little shit will come looking for her way out here.”
“Well, if he does, we’ll deal with it.”
John laughs. “I’ll bet. She’s safe and sound with you, my friend.”
I nearly choke on my coffee. If John only knew how safe and sound she was with me. He’d have a heart attack.
“Well, anyway, enough of that.” John takes a big bite of his bread and washes it down with a sip of coffee.
“We’re going to need some more help over on our side of the fence come calving season.
My foreman is working his last season. He’s looking to retire, and I’m not sure what I’m going to do without him. ”
“You thinking of hiring?”
“Thinking about it, but no one around here seems to want the job. I was hoping you might have some leads.”
“I could ask around,” I offer. “See if anyone knows someone with experience under their belt who is looking for work.”
“I’d appreciate that. We’ve got a few hands already, but they’re green. Couldn’t find their ass with both hands. They’ll learn the ropes, but they’re not ready to take over yet. I need someone who’s got their shit together.”
“I’ll keep my eyes and ears open.”
John squints as he looks out the window, where River is busy working with Linux. “That horse looks like he’s taken a shine to her.”
“He has. It’s like the two of them are joined at the hip. Never seen anything like it.”
“She’s got a way with animals, then?”
“Seems that way.”
“That’s a good skill to have. Don’t suppose you think she’d be up for the job? I’d bet her father taught her plenty. She’s gotta have experience.”
My face goes numb as the blood trickles down to my toes. I didn’t even consider that, but if I’m honest, she’d be a damn good candidate. But the idea of her working for someone else, of not getting to see her every day... It’s not something I like. In fact, it’s a thought that makes me sick.
“Maybe. But you’d have to ask her.”
“Maybe I will.” John shrugs. “But I should get going. Gotta get to the hardware store and pick up some new water barrels. Good talking to you, Colby.”
“Always good to see you, John.”
He stands, shakes my hand, and leaves. As soon as the door closes, I lean back in my chair and groan.
River’s a smart girl, and it won’t take her long to realize the position John’s offering her would be a great opportunity. It would pay better than the shit salary I’m giving her, and it would get her away from the ranch, and away from me.
The thought twists my gut and makes me want to punch a wall.
I can’t stand the idea of her not being around, of not seeing her every day, of not watching her work with Linux, or watching her hips sway as she walks across the yard.
It’s selfish, I know, but the thought of her being around John and his ranch hands is making my blood boil.
One of those young punks would no doubt sniff her out, and they’d be all over her like white on rice.
Just the thought of another man’s hands on her, touching her, kissing her...
“Fuck.”
I can’t think about it. If I do, I’ll lose my shit.
But that’s what’s going to happen if I don’t do something about it.
She’s going to leave. And there won’t be a goddamn thing I can do about it. Not a fucking thing.
Unless I give her a reason to stay.