Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Rylee had gone on the most perfect date of her life, and she hadn’t come down from it yet.
Every time she got a second alone, she couldn’t help but think about how the night had ended.
Tate bringing her home. Kissing her goodnight on her front porch, then calling her after he turned in for the night just to tell her he couldn’t wait to see her again.
She’d gone to sleep with a smile on her face and excitement for the future.
Gone was the indecision from when she’d been in the city.
With each passing day, Rylee felt like she was finding herself—despite her previous notions that she couldn’t be in a relationship to do so.
Alexander hadn’t let up with his calls. If anything, the messages had come in more frequently. He might have been able to sense she was finding love somewhere else.
Love.
The concept was laughable. Or maybe it wasn’t.
Rylee shook her head to herself as she changed out the feed for the chicks. They were now considered pullets from what she’d read. In the coming months, they’d start laying eggs. They chirped and ran around her feet in the fenced area of the henhouse.
She continued her chores, changing out the water and cleaning the bedding.
Then she moved on to the goats. The second she swung open the gate, Louie stiffened and fell over.
She giggled, though watching him “faint” still unnerved her.
It didn’t matter how much research she did on the animal, she couldn’t get used to the fact that he was perfectly fine.
Dewey bounced over to her and nudged her with his head. Bumping her until she dropped down to feed him from her hand.
She was already covered in dust and grime, so she didn’t bother avoiding contact with her animal friends. Rylee petted him, crooning nonsensical words and wondering how hard it would be to upend her life and move here permanently.
Was that even a possibility?
She’d have to talk to Roxy about it, but just considering it brought her more joy than she’d thought possible. Louie fainted again at the sound of a truck door slamming shut and she spun to find Tate with a wide grin on his face.
No, not just wide. That grin was definitely mischievous.
She placed a fist on her hip and quirked a brow. “What are you up to, Tate Dennison?”
He walked around to the trailer he’d brought with him and winked before he yanked open the doors to the trailer. When he emerged, he was tugging along two miniature animals. A pony and a cow.
Rylee gasped which sent Louie into another fainting spell. She shot him a look and sighed. Then she edged away from the goats and through the gate before they could escape with her. Turning to Tate, she did her best to scold him. “What do you think you’re doing?”
He gestured to the two animals on their leads. “What does it look like? Betsy and Mildred here needed a home. And you have a farm with plenty of land.”
She choked out a laugh. “It’s as simple as that, is it?”
Tate shrugged but his smile said it all. He knew what he was doing and at this exact moment, she couldn’t find it in her to be angry.
“You called first,” she said. “I want that noted.”
“Called first. Receipt’s in the truck.” Tate recited it like a man reading off a list he’d been made to memorize. “Feed’s already in your name.”
“Look at you.”
“I’m trainable.”
“You know, you should probably stop bringing these strays here. What happens if they grow attached?”
“Isn’t that supposed to happen?” Tate continued to lead the animals toward her. There was an edge of nervousness under it.
“Well, they’ll be heartbroken when I leave.” There was very little conviction in it, and Tate must have noticed, because his shoulders straightened and he grew far more confident.
“That’s not going to happen.”
“What?” She laughed half-heartedly. “Are you suggesting these animals won’t get attached?”
“Oh, I’m not suggesting anything of the sort.
” Tate dropped down to one knee and ran an affectionate hand over the miniature highland cow.
“I’m saying you’re not going to leave.” There was a teasing lilt to his voice, but also something stronger beneath the surface.
He wanted to believe his own words. She could hear it.
And that realization gave her hope.
Maybe it was silly, but she needed reassurances that staying was what she needed. But more than that, she wanted to know that her staying was something he might need just as much.
Rylee didn’t even bother biting back her smile. She liked seeing this side of Tate. The man who fought his own insecurities to show her how much she meant to him.
Her gaze flitted to the miniature pony who had found some alfalfa to munch on. “Okay, who’s who? I don’t want to be calling them by the wrong names.”
Tate’s smile lit up his whole face. It was utterly boyish and every bit the smile she remembered from her childhood. He patted the cow. “This is Mildred. And that over there is Betsy.”
“Let me guess, they were in danger of being sent to the glue factory?” She arched a brow.
With mock horror, Tate covered Mildred’s ears. “Shh! There are children present.”
She gaped at him then threw back her head and laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”
He rose to his feet and pulled her close with the hand not holding the leads.
“And you’re adorable.” He tapped her nose then slipped his hand behind her head and kissed her thoroughly enough that her whole body heated from the contact.
When he released her, she sucked in several breaths.
Of course he was pleased with himself. Not only because he’d once again found a way to give her more animals to care for, but because of how he affected her.
“It’s a good thing the barn is finished,” Rylee said, glancing over at it. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t have anywhere to put them. You keep this up, and I’m not going to have enough room.”
“They don’t take up much space. In fact, these two are besties. They’ll probably want to stay in the same stall since they’re small enough.”
“Hmm. That’s not the point I was trying to make.”
Tate laughed. “Okay. How about this. I promise I won’t bring you anymore animals.”
She studied him, not believing for one second that he meant what he said.
“Until next month.”
Rylee threw her hands into the air. “That’s what I thought. What exactly do you think I need? I’ve got pullets, a cat, three goats, a cow, and a pony. I think I’m all tapped out.”
“You don’t have a partridge in a pear tree, yet.”
She snorted as she moved past him to head for the barn.
He hurried to catch up with her and fell into step at her side. “Okay, how about a lion, a tiger, or a bear?”
Cutting him a sidelong glance, she muttered, “I’m not going to say it.”
“Say what?”
“Oh my.” Then she grunted with irritation when she heard his chuckle. At that, she elbowed him in the side which only made him laugh more. “Very funny,” she muttered dryly.
“I thought so. But seriously. There’s actually something I should tell you about… next month.”
She stopped suddenly and he had to turn around and face her in order to meet her eye. “What about next month, Tate?”
He looked at the barn roof. “There’s sort of this potbellied pig that needs—”
“Are you kidding me?”
Tate peeked at her from beneath his lashes. “I can tell them you don’t have any more room at the inn.”
Rylee groaned. “I can’t believe you.”
When he closed the distance between them and took her hand in his, she melted. But then he had to say the most perfect thing. “Ultimately, it’s up to you.”
She shut her eyes with a bemused sigh. “Of course, the pig can come. I’m not going to turn down an animal in need.”
“That’s why I—”
“Rylee? Are you in here?” a distinctly male voice called out.
And just like that, Rylee’s blood ran cold.
Tate’s hand at her waist tightened and he tugged her behind him as if he couldn’t help the need to protect her. But Rylee didn’t need protecting. She knew exactly who was about to appear in the doorway of the barn.
Rylee stepped out from behind Tate just as Alexander stepped into view. “Alexander? What are you doing here?” It came out breathless, and she hated how it made her sound almost excited rather than the actual irritation that she felt.
Alexander stopped short, his eyes wide as he took her in. Then his lip curled. It wasn’t enough for anyone else to notice—certainly not Tate. But Rylee had gotten used to the nuances of the people in her aunt’s social circles.
To anyone else, his smile was cordial and polite, but Rylee knew better. He did not approve of her overalls and dirt smudges. He probably thought the barn smelled awful as well, even though she’d cleaned it of any animal excrement when she’d put the goats out to pasture.
He approached with an air of superiority and she wanted nothing more than to put him in his place and send him on his way.
“Now, is that any way to treat your future fiancé?”
Not only did Rylee stiffen, but Tate went rigid behind her. She could sense his confusion and anger without looking at him. Pulling away from him, Rylee crossed the barn until she was standing in front of Alexander. She dropped her volume so Tate didn’t have to hear.
“I don’t know what you think you’re doing showing up here unannounced, but it’s not going to work. I told you I needed space.”
He reached up to cup her cheek and the movement was so unexpected that she didn’t have time to compute what it might look like in order to pull away.
“Sweetheart, I felt lost without you. I know you wanted space, but even your aunt could sense you needed support. So, when I asked her for your address, she was more than happy to oblige.”
Her eyes widened and she yanked free of him. “What? Roxy wouldn’t have given that information to you. Not without my permission.”
Alexander’s eyes ticked over to where Tate still stood a few yards away.
Just the way he glanced in that direction made it clear he didn’t think Tate was a threat.
He seemed to relax as he made a show of dusting off his suit sleeve.
He didn’t look like he belonged here at all.
“That’s where you’re wrong. She’s worried about you.
We all are. You’re out here…” He gestured around them.
“Alone and having to deal with this…” His nose wrinkled with disgust. “Mess.”
She bristled. “This place is not a mess. It’s my home.”
He watched her then, truly seeming to study her. Then he barked out a laugh. “Oh, honey. This isn’t your home. That’s in New York. With our people.” Once more, he clocked Tate. “Not with the help.”
At that statement, Tate had seemed to have enough. He stormed over to them and placed Rylee at his back. “You say one more disparaging thing and I’ll—”
Not an ounce of concern showed in Alexander’s eyes. “You’ll what?” He dropped to something more menacing, and he even took a step closer. “There’s nothing you can do to me. I’ve got connections you wouldn’t dare provoke.”
“Is that a threat?” Tate gritted out.
They continued to size each other up, neither one willing to back down.
Rylee held her breath, her gaze bouncing between them, unsure what to do.
Tate was definitely the bigger of the two and physically capable of taking Alexander down if the need arose.
But Alex was correct in what he’d threatened.
He had connections who could do damage even all the way in New York.
The air grew so thick Rylee nearly stepped between them in hopes of diffusing the situation, but then the strangest thing happened.
Alexander’s posture relaxed and he smiled like the gentleman he showed the world.
He stepped to the side so she could see him fully.
“Sweetheart, I came here to show you how serious I am about you. I can’t get you out of my head.
Not from the moment we met. I want you to know that I’m not going to give up. ”
Tate snorted. “Seriously, man? Clearly, she doesn’t want you here.”
Alexander didn’t even look in Tate’s direction as he continued to speak to Rylee. “What we have is special.”
She stepped aside and folded her arms. “I’m sorry, Alex. There was never anything between us to start with. We went on a few dates, that’s all.”
His jaw set and his whole demeanor twisted into something predatory. The way Alexander’s eyes flashed reminded her that threats could come wrapped in all kinds of packaging. Even gentlemen in suits.
“You heard the lady. She doesn’t want you here.
There’s nothing to give up on when there wasn’t anything to begin with.
” Tate’s voice was far too smug and Rylee nearly reprimanded him for it.
But he was right. The way the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end had her wondering if her instincts to move here had been for more reasons than she’d originally thought.
Tate didn’t give Alexander a chance to protest as he literally turned the man around and led him out of the barn with a hand to his back—something that royally irritated Alex based on the way he picked up his pace and snapped at Tate not to touch him.
A few minutes later, Tate returned. There was something off in how he carried himself.
She wouldn’t have been surprised if his walls were coming up.
Tate’s confidence in everything else about his life was through the roof, but when it came to her—things were just different.
She fully expected him to demand answers, to ask who Alexander was to her.
And she prepared a speech in her head as he swallowed up the distance with his long strides.
“Tate—”
Her words were cut off when he scooped her into a hug and buried his face into the crook of her neck.
She gasped, her own hands slipping around the back of his head.
His hold was firm and unyielding. His heart thundered against her.
And when he pulled back, he framed her face in both of his hands. “I don’t like that guy.”
She blinked, then snickered. “Clearly.”
He didn’t crack a smile. “Something’s off about him. I don’t know what it is, but…” He blew out a breath. “If he shows up again, call me.”
“Tate…” she started with a sigh. She knew better. She couldn’t just dismiss Alexander like Tate wanted her to. His parents were good friends of her aunt. There were expectations.
“I mean it, Rylee. If he comes by, I want to know. I’d feel better knowing you have someone in your corner.”
Her brows lifted. Oh. This was about safety. What she’d mistaken as jealousy was actually protectiveness. And that had her heart fluttering so wildly all she could do was give him a slight nod. “Okay.”