Page 14 of Barbed Wire Hearts

Dinner ends up being a vibrant display of family and conversation. I learn about each of those who work on the ranch, including a husband and wife team, Jeff and Gloria, who manage the accounting and the scheduling for events and payroll. I’m loaded up on names that I know I’m gonna forget and have to ask again, but every person introduces them selves excitedly. They each explain who they are and what they do. I don’t even know what my job title will be yet, but they all know theirs well. Everyone seems happy here and well-treated here. All of them have nothing but good things to say about Dakota and Steele Mountain Ranch.

The man I’d seen out in the field earlier sits at the other end of the table quietly and broods, not bothering to speak to anyone. When my attention pulls toward him, Wiley bumps his shoulder into mine.

“That’s just Levi. Don’t worry. He don’t bite,” he whispers.

“You sure? He kind of looks like he could,” I whisper back.

Wiley shrugs. “Dakota would have his head if he did, so you should be fine. Just leave him alone if he asks you to and things should be okay.”

I can’t help my eyes going to him again and again, looking away before he can catch me. He’s incredibly attractive, even with the perpetual frown he wears. His hair is loose and long, hanging around his ears and just above touching his shoulders. It’s pulled back a little behind his ears with a ponytail so it doesn’t hang in his face. His jawline is as impressive as any sculpture and even from this distance, his eyes look like amber. When he looks up at me suddenly and meets my eyes, I look down quickly, flushing at being caught, but trying my best to pretend I hadn’t been.

“Your paperwork all went through okay, and Gloria will take care of your payroll,” Dakota says suddenly. “You’ll be working with Wiley in the morning, and he’ll show you the ropes.”

I nod. “He already told me to wake up at five.”

“No, be ready at five,” Dakota counters. “That’s when the work starts.”

I nearly choke on the water I’d taken a sip of. After I clear my throat a few times, I force a smile. “Absolutely. I’ll be ready.”

Dakota’s eyes sparkle, but the amusement doesn’t reach his lips. “Welcome to Steele Mountain Ranch, Kate. Try not to get hurt tomorrow. I’d hate to call in an insurance claim so quickly.”

Rolling my eyes, I take a bite of my roll. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

After all, how hard could it possibly be?

ChapterThirteen

Kate

Iwas wrong. I was so incredibly wrong.

When the alarm blares at four in the morning, I throw myself wildly from bed, my heart in my throat. It’s still dark outside, the sun yet to rise, and even William peers at me through cracked eyes when I slap at my phone. I sit up and attempt to rub the sleep from my eyes, stretching. At least the bed is comfortable. I slept much better here than the cheap motel rooms I’ve been staying in.

If my alarm scares me awake, the alarm that blares across the ranch thirty minutes later nearly makes me shit my pants. Like some sort of trumpet sound at a military base, it booms outside, letting everyone know it’s time to get up if they haven’t already. The roosters start to crow right after, despite the sun not yet cresting the horizon. Even when I tell William to behave and head out of the cabin at five, the sun still hasn’t risen. It’s practically still night. What’s the point of waking up so damn early?

I’d pulled on some shorts and a t-shirt, but when I walk outside to find Wiley waiting, he looks me up and down and grimaces.

“You’re gonna wanna wear pants,” he says. “Jeans if you’ve got ‘em.”

I stare at him. “Really?”

My jeans are pretty limited to black pairs and edgy cuts. Most of them have expertly cut holes in the knees. Of course, none of them are super thick jean material like the Wranglers and Levis everyone else is wearing. Mine are mostly meant for going out or for dressing up. Still, I dutifully go inside to change when he nods and pull on a pair of stretchy skinny jeans I have. They’re black and there’s some sparkly designs down the sides of them and in the tears along the thighs, but it’s the best I’ve got. I might have to get some other options if I stick around.

When I step back outside in the jeans, Wiley’s eyes fall to the tennis shoes I’m wearing.

“I don’t suppose you’ve got any boots?” he asks. Clearly, I’m in no way prepared for this. I should have asked if there were specific clothes I needed.

I hesitate on the small porch of the cabin. “What kind of boots?”

I have winter boots and a few pairs of cute calf-high boots inside. Maybe those will work? But when he taps the side of his boots with the stick he’s holding, I grimace and shake my head.

“No. I’ve only got. . . well, not those kind.”

Wiley shakes his head. “We’re gonna have to make a trip into town to get you what you need. We can’t help it today, but we’ll get you figured out. We’ll keep you out of the worst muck while you’ve only got sneakers. Your kitty gonna be okay in the house all day?”

“William?” I blink. “Yeah, he’s content. I fed him and he’s happy to stare out the windows at the cows. He’s never seen them before.”

I’m surprised Wiley even remembered to ask about William. Most men dismiss cats entirely, preferring to having nothing to do with the beasts. I’ve had plenty of boyfriends who completely ignore the fact there was a cat in my apartment, whether William liked them or not. So for Wiley to even ask is nice.

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