Page 4 of Promise Me Never

“Nothing else to do.” I grab the clipboard where we keep a running list of tasks for the other ranch hands. I hate having to micromanage a bunch of grown men, so I implemented this as soon as I became the ranch manager. It’s not high tech, but it’s functional, and that’s what matters.

“Eli’s going to be helping out where you need her.” He walks over to a table full of extra ropes and pokes around to keep his hands busy. “She hasn’t been out on the ranch for a couple years, but she can ride and she’s a quick learner.”

“I figured she was just coming to hang out with you guys.”

“No, she wants to work. I figure you can partner her up with Colton or Sam for a week or two and then she’ll be good to do nearly anything.”

“How long is she going to be around?” I set the pen down and look at him, irritated to have another person to keep an eye on.

“’Til the beginning of August. She’ll leave to go back to school the week after her birthday.” He claps me on the shoulder. “I’ll introduce her to everyone today and take her on a tour of the ranch to refresh her memory.”

He leaves just as the ranch’s two cattle dogs, Don and Tommy, come ambling in for their breakfast. I fill their dishes and give them both scratches for being good boys. I make sure to fill bowls for the barn cats, too, although they’re all looking pretty fat from the good hunting so far this spring.

The rumble of a beat to shit truck on the gravel drive signals Colton’s arrival. A moment later he’s strolling into the barn, his cowboy hat on and a cigarette hanging from his lips. He gives me a little grin and a nod in greeting as he crosses to the clipboard.

“What do we got going on today, boss?” he asks even as he reads the list.

“We need to go up and check the high pasture. We’ll have to get the cattle up there in a week or two. So go ahead and saddle up all the horses. One for Paul and Eli, too.”

“Eli?”

“Paul and Jo’s granddaughter.”

“Ahh, the hot brunette.”

I look up at him sharply. “Did you miss the part where she’s your boss’s granddaughter? Have some respect.”

He holds his hands up innocently. “Got it. She’s off limits.”

“Who’s off limits?” Sam asks as he joins us and pulls the clipboard from Colton’s hands.

“The hot brunette we saw out with Paul and Jo at dinner last night.”

His eyes widen. “Damn it, I was gonna call dibs on her the next time we saw her.”

“Have some respect.” I knock his cap off. “She’s not a piece of meat.”

“Yeah, she’s Paul and Jo’s granddaughter, so we’ll have to keep our hands to ourselves.” Colton smirks. “That actually makes her even hotter, though.”

I exhale heavily and rub my eyes because I’m definitely not pairing her up with one of these idiots. That leaves very few options. “Go get the horses ready.”

I go down to the barn to talk to a few of the other workers and give them instructions for the day. Since we’ll be gone for a couple hours, the horse stalls should be mucked. I also call the farrier and schedule a day for him to come out next week. By the time I’m done with all that, Paul and Eli are just headed over to where the horses are waiting.

“Which one should I take?” Eli asks Paul as I join the group.

“Take Sky.” He points at the gentle blue roan mare. “She’s a good girl to ride to get reacquainted with the ranch.”

I nod in agreement. She’s exactly who I would have suggested. Although Gracie and Lucky would also be good choices.

We all watch as Eli walks up to Sky to introduce herself. Her shiny, long, dark waves are nearly identical in color to Sky’s mane. I watch as she lifts her foot into the stirrup, fighting the urge to offer a hand.

Colton steps up to offer what I refuse to allow myself and sets his hand on the small of her waist. He says something that makes her laugh, but she shakes her head and he steps back. I don’t miss the conspiratorial look he shares with Sam, though. Especially when both their gazes skim over her body.

I look over what she’s wearing to make sure it’s appropriate for what we’re doing. Her jeans and sneakers are fine, although boots would be better. She’s got a flannel over what appears to be a tank top. As she sits astride Sky, she pulls her hair to the side and puts it into a braid before taking a cap from Paul and pulling it on.

“Take her around the paddock a few times to get to know each other,” Paul tells her as he pats Sky’s flank.

The rest of us take our mounts, and I walk Clover over to Paul, who sits atop Marco. “We’re going up into the high country to check the fences today.”

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