Page 5 of Promise Me Never

“We’ll join you.”

I nod and tell Colton and Sam to lead us up. Eli and Paul follow them, and I fall in behind. I don’t feel like chatting with anyone, not that I really ever do in general.

At least this gives me the chance to watch how well Eli does on horseback. I know Paul said she rides, but it’s best to be able to judge her skill with my own eyes. After a while I have to admit that she rides beautifully. Her body is relaxed but positioned for control.

She and Paul never stop talking, frequently sharing smiles. He says something that makes her laugh, and it fills the air around us with light and joy. I scowl at myself, I shouldn’t be thinking things like that. A hawk flies over us, and I watch as it disappears in the distance. Anything but to keep me from looking at the beautiful woman in front of me.

How old is she even?

She looks young. Too young for me, and too young for those two clowns showing off in front of her. Not that I would even think about dating her. She’s not only off limits, but I promised to never move on from Amy, and I’m going to hold that promise. I broke too many promises to her to not keep this one.

By the time we make it up to the upper pasture, the sun is high and bright. The heat of its rays cuts through the cool air at this altitude. Small mounds of snow dot the edges of the pasture where they blew into banks over the winter. The ground is pretty muddy, but a few blades of grass are already sprouting.

“What do you think?” Sam asks as he dismounts his horse and walks over to me. “Will it be ready in a couple weeks for the herd?”

“Weather looks promising.” I look up from the ground and glance around the perimeter of the field. “You and Colton walk the north and east sides. I’ll take the south and west.”

“Luke,” Paul calls out. “I just realized I have to go back to make it to an appointment. You okay if Eli stays with you?”

“No problem.” I say over my shoulder, although I’d rather she went back down with him.

He tells her goodbye and takes off the way we just came from. She doesn’t approach me until the hoof beats fade from earshot. Even then she just hangs back, unsure of how or if to approach me. I watch her out of the corner of my eye as she takes the scenery in.

“Stay close up here. The bears are coming out of hibernation,” I say without looking at her. I didn’t even think to bring bear spray for her, and Sam has the rifle we always bring up here.

“Yeah, wouldn’t want to get eaten by a bear.” I don’t miss the sarcastic tone her voice has taken. “How long have you worked for my grandpa?”

Great. Small talk. My least favorite thing in the world.

“Going on twelve years.”

“I don’t remember you.” She bends to pick up a rock. “Which is wild because you’re so warm and personable,” she says dryly.

My lips quirk up, but I keep my back to her. Best she thinks I have no sense of humor. “I didn’t become manager until seven years ago, so I wasn’t always around.”

“Do you live on the ranch?”

“Yes.”

“With your wife?”

I turn and glare at her, seconds from telling her it’s none of her business, but the sound of footsteps approaching stops me. Probably a good thing, I don’t want to lose my job for telling her it’s none of her business.

“The fence on the north side needs repairs in about seven places. Only one on the east side.” Sam uses his sleeve to wipe his forehead.

I’ve only seen about two places so far, but I haven’t checked the south yet. “Go check the south fence while I keep walking this section.”

“I brought lunch. I could get it ready for you guys,” Eli looks to me for permission.

“Yeah, you do that. It won’t take us too much longer.”

She nods before turning and walking back out to the middle of the clearing where the horses are grazing. Her strides are sure and long. At least she’s comfortable out here, so I don’t have to worry about her getting lost or something.

“She seems nice.”

I grunt and turn on my heel. “Nice, my ass.”

“She does have a nice ass.” I can hear the smirk in Sam’s voice before I even turn around.

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