Chapter Three #3
Ryan removed her gloves, cupped her hands around his lightly stubbled cheeks, as she kissed him back, pouring unacknowledged longing and the electric tension that had crackled between them since their very first meeting.
When he rolled her onto her back in one fluid motion, the weight of his body settled perfectly between her thighs.
He nudged them apart with a gentle pressure, his mouth never leaving hers, his tongue slowly sliding into her mouth.
She slid her arms around his waist, feeling the taut muscles of his back flex beneath her fingertips, silently praying that reality would keep its distance just a little while longer.
When Seth lifted his gaze to hers, the regret was plain in the tight set of his jaw.
She saw him close his eyes for a few seconds as he muttered a curse under his breath, then push to his feet and pick up his hat, placing it on his head.
He turned away, hung his head, hands pressed against his hips as though bracing himself against an invisible weight.
Ryan scrambled to her feet, her boots scuffing the dusty path, and reached out to touch his arm. He flinched, snapping back like a startled deer.
“You’re angry,” she said, voice small in the open air. He spun on her, the brim of his hat casting a shadow over his eyes.
“Damn right I am.” He sighed.
“But why? I thought it was a great kiss.”
“Because it serves no purpose.” He shook his head. “You live in California. I live here. I won’t start something destined to end in heartbreak.”
She stepped closer. “We could enjoy it while I’m here—”
He seized her arms so suddenly that she grabbed the fabric of his shirt in her hands. “No. We can’t.” The muscles in his forearms bunched as he let her go.
“Tell me why.”
His eyes flicked over the horizon, where fields of little green plants swayed in neat rows. “Because I won’t set us up for disappointment.”
“I—”
“You what, Ryan? Want to hang around and test fate? You don’t want to move here. I sure as hell don’t want to move to California.” He removed his hat, raking his fingers through dark hair before settling the hat again, then he picked up her gloves and handed them to her.
She opened her mouth, then closed it as she accepted the gloves. “We could be together while I’m here,” she repeated, softer this time.
He pivoted away. “Absolutely not. No point in planting something that won’t grow. Come on, let’s walk along the field. Make sure to stay between the rows.” He strode into the first row of young oats, each slender shoot pointed skyward.
She let out a shuddering breath, stuffed the gloves into her pockets, then trailed behind him.
The crisp click of her camera shutter kept time with her heartbeat as she captured row upon row of bright green.
She couldn’t resist slipping in a shot of his strong shoulders and the rugged curve of his backside.
God, she thought, if those kisses were any hint, her knees would’ve buckled if she’d been on her feet.
Seth stooped over a single stalk; eyes narrowed. “This one looks weak.”
She knelt beside him, fingertips brushing the brittle leaves. “It does.”
“Yeah, see how it’s yellowing at the tip?” When he glanced up, her breath caught; his chest heaved in a careful exhale.
He straightened, removed his gloves, fished his phone from his pocket, and tapped the screen. “Ringo? I need you at Field One of the oats to test the soil.” He listened for a moment, then tucked the device away.
She angled for more photos as he moved on. “Why test the soil? What are you looking for, exactly?”
He paused between the lines, sunlight dancing across his profile. “A soil analysis shows nutrient levels. Too much or too little nitrogen, for instance, can stunt growth. I want to catch any issues before they spread. We’ll make sure this isn’t a nitrogen imbalance or pH issue.”
A breeze teased her hair as she framed another shot. “So, why aren’t you married?”
He halted, brow furrowing. “You sure you want to go there?”
“I was once. I’m divorced. Seven years then he cheated. I guess he got the old itch.” She shook her head, vulnerability flickering in her eyes. “What’s wrong with me that men think they can betray me?”
Seth’s gaze softened. He gave her a careful once-over. “Nothing’s wrong with you. Any man who did that was an idiot.”
She managed a small smile, and he offered a reluctant half-grin. “Well, Mr. Harrison, that’s the nicest thing I’ve ever heard you say to me. Seriously, why aren’t you married?”
He shrugged. “I came close. I was engaged to Autumn, but being a city girl, she wasn’t used to the hours I’d spend working with horses and then Ash asked me about growing feed for him.
I didn’t think it would be this much work, so I hired Ringo and Buck because they had experience working farms. Cull, Red, Spurs, and Micky worked at the ranch with me.
Autumn and I were together for a year, and she was here when it snowed a little but when a huge snowstorm came through, knocking out power, she couldn’t take it.
She wanted me to move to New Mexico with her.
She gave me an ultimatum. You can see what I chose.
As soon as she was able to go, she did.”
“How did you meet her?”
Seth smirked. “She was here on vacation, and we met at the diner. I should have stayed the hell away from her. People have no idea how harsh a Montana winter can be.”
“She could’ve stayed,” Ryan said quietly.
He let out a humorless chuckle. “She didn’t want to.”
“Think she’d change her mind now?”
“No. She’s moved on, married, living in New Mexico.”
Ryan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You mentioned a brother. Any other siblings?”
He glanced at her, amusement flickering in his eyes. “This is off the record, right?”
“Of course. I’m not the journalist.”
He relaxed. “Two brothers total.”
“Older or younger?”
“Both. Cole’s the eldest, at forty-three and Ethan’s the youngest at forty.”
“Do they live nearby?”
“Yes. I already mentioned that Cole grows feed for Ash too, along with training reining horses. Ethan raises and sells barrel racers. He will train for people too, but not often. He mostly makes his money from breeding and stud fees.”
“Are they married?”
“No.”
She laughed. “Well, I have four older brothers. Always a nightmare when dates came around.”
“I can imagine. Big brothers protect their little sisters.”
She grew serious. “What about your parents?”
“They still live here in Clifton. You?”
“My dad’s alive with my stepmom, who I adore. My mother died when I was ten, in a car accident. They live in Valencia too.”
“I’m sorry about your mother.” He offered her a quiet sympathy that made her heart ache. He nudged a stalk of oats gently. “Come on. Let’s finish the rows.”
“Is it always this chilly?”
“This is nothing. We’re beginning mid-April. We can have snow anytime.”
“So, you called Ringo?” She laughed.
“Why is that funny?”
“Just thinking of the nicknames some of your men have. Red. Ringo. Spurs.”
“I didn’t give them the names. Cowboys seem to use nicknames. Probably because so many of them move on. These men have been with me for a while now, though.”
“Is Cull married?” she asked as she looked through the lens. When he didn’t answer her, she lowered the camera and looked at him. “What?”
“Why are you asking about Cull? You interested in him?”
“Well, he is certainly a good-looking man, but no, I’m not interested. Just curious.”
“He was married years ago. His wife died in a riding accident.”
“Horse riding?”
“Yes. She was thrown and hit her head against a rock. They’d only been married two years, and I think that was five, six years ago. He’s never remarried or even seemed interested in getting married again. They were planning to start a family the following year. He took it damn hard.”
“Have you known him a long time?”
“Yes, for years. We’re the same age. We went to school together, from elementary through high school, but when I bought this ranch, he came to me for a job. I knew he would work out, and he did.”
“How old was his wife?”
“I think Britt was thirty.”
“That’s so young. I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t mention it to him that I told you. He doesn’t like to talk about it.”
“I won’t.”
Seth nodded, then walked toward her.
“I hear the UTV. Once Ringo gets here, he’ll take samples and see what’s going on. We can head back after I talk with him.”
“Alright. I’ll wait here.” She tugged her gloves on.
Seth walked toward the UTV when it stopped behind them while Ryan continued to take pictures.
As she watched Seth stride back to his horse after talking with Ringo, she looked up at the sky when she swore she felt a drop of rain, then she looked at Seth.
“Is it starting to rain?”
When he chuckled, she narrowed her eyes.
Seth vaulted into the saddle, looked at her, and grinned. “It’s starting to snow. Let’s head back.” He rode past her as her mouth dropped open, then she glanced around and saw the tiny white flakes falling from the sky.