Chapter Five #3
The sun gilded the porch railings and painted the yard in amber tones.
She hesitated for a heartbeat, heart thudding at the thought of facing the men, then shook her shoulders free of self-consciousness.
With a quick jog down the steps and a steady stride across the yard, she slipped into the barn, the sweet, earthy scent of hay and horses filling her lungs. The barn was empty.
“Thank God,” she whispered, relief pooling in her chest, until Cull’s silhouette emerged from the tack room. He stopped mid-step, shook his head as if amused at her cautious entrance, then strolled toward her, lips tugged in a half-smile.
“Do not even say it,” she warned, pressing a hand to her hip.
He cocked an eyebrow. “Say what?” He turned his head away, then glanced back, amusement dancing in his blue eyes. “So… did you get things straightened out?”
“Shut up.” She sidestepped him and made for Pearl’s stall, her own grin betraying her when he chuckled.
When Seth entered the barn, Ryan climbed into the saddle and followed behind him, as they set off across the dew-damp pasture.
The morning breeze teased loose strands of hair around her face.
Watching him guide his horse with easy confidence, she couldn’t help but think; that man is no slacker in bed either, just thinking about it made her shiver all over.
“Are you cold?” he asked, shifting in the saddle so the worn leather saddle creaked as he turned to look at her. The sunlight cut across the valley, and her breath formed little clouds in the crisp air.
“It is a little chilly,” she admitted, pulling her jacket tighter around her. She could taste the tang of morning dew. “What is with this weather?”
He shrugged, the muscles in his shoulders flexing under his flannel shirt. “You’re in Montana, close to the mountains. It could snow anytime.”
She laughed, the sound echoing, then fell silent when she realized he was serious. Frost clung to the fence wires like tiny crystals. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Unreal. I was surprised it was still cold some mornings.”
“When you grow up here, nothing surprises you when it comes to the weather.” He guided Zephyr to a halt, the horse’s hoof sinking lightly into the soft earth.
Then Seth swung his leg over the horse’s head, kicked off the stirrup, and dropped lightly to the ground.
He released the reins with a flick of his wrist and turned back to her. “Need help?”
“I can get down, just not like that.” She shook her head, eyes wide. “I’ve seen Cull do it too. How in the world do you manage that?”
He grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “We’ve been riding since we were toddlers. I’ll bet Cull’s father had him on a horse when he was in diapers, just like mine did.”
She gazed across the fence to see another rider paused in the rows of plants. “Who is that?”
“That’s my brother, Cole.” Seth raised one hand in greeting. The other man raised his hand. A cowboy hat sat low, shading his face. “His ranch butts up to mine. He’s probably checking the crops too.”
Ryan watched as Cole dropped his reins, strode under the fence, and headed toward them. Even from a distance, she recognized the same lean build and that easy cowboy swagger.
“Come with me,” Seth said, leading her between the neat rows of oats. Each stalk glistened with dew. He avoided stepping on a single plant as he navigated the furrows.
Ryan slid from her horse, its coat still warm under her fingers, dropped the reins, and fell in step beside him. When the man reached them, she saw his eyes were the same deep green as Seth’s.
“Checking the oats?” Cole asked.
“Yeah. How’s your barley looking?” Seth nodded toward the adjacent field.
“Good,” Cole replied. Then he turned to her, touching his hat in a polite nod. “Ma’am.”
“Cole, this is Ryan Carroll with Western Living magazine. Ryan, my oldest brother, Cole Harrison.”
Ryan smiled and extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Harrison.”
After removing his glove, Cole offered her a firm handshake. She placed her hand in his.
“You too, but please, call me Cole.”
“Thanks. I will. Call me Ryan.”
Cole nodded once, then glanced at Seth. “I need to head over to the peas.”
“All right. I’ll see you soon.”
“Yep.” He turned, wove under the fence again, swung into his saddle, and rode off, the sound of spurs soft against the horse’s sides.
“Get some photos while you’re here,” Seth teased as they watched Cole disappear into the rows. “None of my brother.”
“Anyone seeing you together would guess you’re siblings.” She watched the wind ruffle Seth’s dark hair on the nape of his neck.
“Ethan too. Come on.” They walked back to the horses.
“Cole said peas, peas for people?” she asked as they climbed back atop their horses.
He shook his head. “No. Yellow peas for livestock feed. They’re full of protein. Ash grows all types.”
“So, Cole’s land is next to yours. How many acres does he have?”
“We each have two hundred.”
“That’s a lot, isn’t it?”
Seth waved a hand, the morning light catching the bronze of his watch. “Not by Montana standards. We’re tiny dots compared to the Coleman ranch, which has one hundred thousand acres.”
“A hundred thousand?” She shook her head in disbelief. “I can’t even picture that.”
“They’re a massive operation,” he said, urging Zephyr forward through the field. “Raising beef.”
She shook her head. “I just can’t comprehend that.”
He chuckled. “And their ranch isn’t even as big as some in Montana.”
She shook her head in wonder. “When I first got here, Cull told me you train cutting horses. Since I don’t know a lot about horses, I had to look it up. How do you stay on when they make those sudden moves?”
Seth grinned. “Pure determination.” His phone buzzed in his pocket.
He wrapped the reins around the saddle horn, pulled the phone out.
“Harrison,” he answered. “Yes, that works. I’m heading back now.
Yes, sir. I’ll see you at the barn.” He tucked the phone away and looked at her, eyes dancing. “Mr. Hayes is at the barn.”
“Shit. Shit. Shit,” she muttered, making him laugh.
“Just ignore him.”
“I thought he was supposed to get here Monday to interview you.”
“No clue about that.” Seth shrugged.
“Jackass. He thinks he can work on three or four different articles at a time. Doris wanted to fire him once, he had three articles going, screwed up two.”
“Doris?”
“The boss. Wonderful woman. I love her.”
“That’s good. We’d better head back. I hope he’s not in city slicker clothes.”
Ryan laughed. “I wish he’d step in a fresh cow patty from Elsie.”
Seth’s grin was wicked. “Me too. I could have Cull get her out.”
“Oh, please do.”
They guided their horses down the dusty track to the red barn, the smell of hay and leather growing stronger.
Outside, Sean stood talking to Cull, dressed in a red T-shirt tucked into jeans, cowboy boots, and, surprisingly, a crisp cowboy hat.
He stuck out like a sore thumb standing next to Cull.
Ryan reined in her horse and nearly toppled over laughing at the sight.
****
Seth glanced over, shook his head, nudged Zephyr, then shook his head in amused resignation.
With a gentle nudge of his heels, he herded him through the barn’s wide-open doors.
Sunlight slanted across the dusty floorboards as he rode in, the scent of hay and warmed leather drifting around him.
He dismounted, the soft thud of his boots echoing in the rafters, and turned just as Hayes approached, each step seeming to cost him something.
Seth had to bite back a grin; he could see every wince in the man’s gait from here.
“Mr. Harrison? I’m sorry I didn’t make it Monday. I had to go over the other interviews. I hope this—” Hayes began, voice strained.
“Perfect timing,” Seth said, in polite calm. “But you’ll have to follow me.”
Hayes’ eyebrows shot up. “Follow you?”
Seth leaned against a stack of golden hay bales, flecks of straw drifting in the beams of light. “Yes, sir. I’ve got chores to do. Feel free to ask me questions as I work.”
“I thought we’d sit down and talk.”
“Can’t spare the time. This is a working ranch and farm. We don’t stop.” Seth tipped his hat toward the hay bales. “Have a seat there, and I’ll be with you in a minute.” He watched Hayes swallow hard and trudge over to the bales, gingerly lowering himself onto the rough surface with a wince.
Just then Ryan rode in, Pearl’s hooves clattering on the floor. Seth saw the glint in Ryan’s eyes; she was barely keeping laughter in check. Hayes attempted to rise, then settled back down with a further crease of pain across his brow.
“Good morning, Ryan,” Hayes managed, voice tight.
“Morning,” she returned, laughter light in her tone. She dismounted gracefully and led Pearl to the water trough.
“Cull?” Seth shouted over his shoulder, holding Zephyr’s reins.
“Yeah?”
“Could you take Ms. Carroll up to the cornfield and check the irrigation lines? We’ve already inspected the oats. Grab the UTV, will you? Oh, and call Ringo to cool her horse down, please.”
Cull nodded as he called Ringo who appeared right away. “You got it. Ms. Carroll, I’ll meet you by the barn doors in a few minutes.”
“All right, Cull.” Ryan smiled at Seth. “Have a good day, Mr. Harrison.”
“Yes, ma’am. You do the same.” He tapped the brim of his Stetson and watched as Ryan led Pearl down the barn aisle to Ringo, who took the reins from her.
Minutes later the UTV’s engine rumbled outside, and Ryan strode toward the doors, amusement dancing in her eyes. Seth led Zephyr to a water trough outside to let him quench his thirst.
Seth strode back inside, fresh hay dust puffing with every step. “Mr. Hayes, whenever you’re ready, we can get started.”
Hayes pushed himself up, arching his back, then paused to move his foot around. “I believe my boots might be the problem,” he admitted with a rueful glance.
Seth shook his head. “Could be. Or maybe you just bought a cheap pair.”
“These weren’t cheap, I spent over two hundred dollars on them.”
Crossing his arms, Seth nodded toward his own booted feet. “I paid close to a thousand for mine.”
Hayes’ jaw dropped. “You must be joking. No way I’d spend that on a pair of… cowboy boots.”
“Then you’re valuing your cash over your feet.
” Seth’s voice was mild but firm. “These are Beckett Boots, best in the business in my opinion. They hug your arches, breathe with your skin, protect your ankles. Your feet would thank you every time you walk in them.” He paused.
“I have to make a quick call, then I’ll meet you here in about fifteen minutes. ”