Page 405 of Steamy Ever After

“What does that mean?” An unsettled feeling overcomes me. There was nothing wrong with that fence last night. Which means…

“Someone cut it while we were sleeping.” Drake’s brows tug together as his expression darkens. He walks up and down the gap in the fence, looking for something.

All I see is churned earth, turned over from the hooves of the cows. I know what he’s looking for. Drake’s looking for signs of who might have done this.

My hand flies to my belly as the butterflies take flight. Unlike before, that’s not a rush of excitement, but rather fear.

I hope to God whoever did this isn’t who I think it is.

HURT

Less than an hour later, we’re joined by five men who pile out of several beat-up pickup trucks. In jeans, cowboy boots, and the requisite cowboy hat, the men fit my image of ranch hand to a T.

It takes them less than a minute to get to work. One of them brings an Australian Shepard who’s more than eager to round up the cows. Two of them inspect the fence with Drake, while the last two yank tools out of the back of one of the trucks.

It’s amazing watching the men work, but even more fascinating is the dog.

It took well over twenty minutes for Drake to get four of the cattle back onto the other side of the busted fence while we waited for reinforcements. When he went back for a fifth, two of the cows followed him, rejoining the herd on the wrong side of the fence.

The dog doesn’t have that problem. It’s totally in control and loving every bit of it. I might be terrified of getting in the mix with the massive beasts, but the dog doesn’t mind at all. It runs around, snapping at their hooves, getting them gathered together, then the dog magically herds the cows back through the opening like it’s nothing.

They’re now on the correct side of the fence, happily chewing their cud and grazing on fresh shoots of grass while the dog plops down and rests its muzzle on its paws.

With the dog done, the men get busy.

For the most part, they work in silence. Each of them knows exactly what to do, leading me to believe this isn’t the first time they’ve worked as a team.

After a while, the men finish. Wiping the sweat from their brows, they gather together to inspect their handiwork.

I look at the ground. Last night it was thick grass. Now, it’s churned mud. Unlike the men, I’m not wearing boots, and I’m not sure how much of that mud isn’t excrement from the cows.

Drake appears satisfied with the fence. He makes quick introductions, but it’s obvious he’s eager to be alone with me again.

After a few waves, the men depart, and Drake comes to my side of the truck.

“You need some help?” He glances at the ground and then at my pathetic footwear.

“There’s no way I’m stepping in any of that.”

“Come here, city girl.” He gestures for me to come to his side of the truck. Drake pops open the passenger door and holds his arms out.

“You’re nothing short of amazing.” I’m a strong, independent woman, but there’s a time and a place for that.

I’m perfectly happy letting Drake play gallant hero. I climb into his arms and clutch his neck as he lifts me free of the truck bed and deposits me gently on the passenger seat.

He gives a slow shake of his head, laughing under his breath and mutters something about city girls as he circles around the truck. He jumps in and we’re off.

“Wanna see some of your land?” I love the way his left eyebrow arches when he asks a question. It’s sexy as sin.

As for seeing some of my land, it’s still early, and I have nowhere to be until the clinic opens on Monday.

“I’d love to, if that’s okay.”

“Okay?” He gives me a look. “You realize you’re technically my boss.”

“Actually, I’m not your boss yet.”

“How so?”

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