Page 78 of Lassoed Love

“Hey now, you said it, not me,” she raises her hands. I feel the heat rising in my cheeks, and I playfully shove her shoulder. “Katy, you’re such a dirty woman.”

“Now, now, dear, I think you’re the dirty woman here, Miss Isla, with her head in the gutter.” I roll my eyes. Katy laughs, and I can't help but join in. The banter between us is always entertaining.

After a moment she informs me that there are no other scheduled appointments, so I can actually take off. Is heading to Xavier’s farm really a good idea? I contemplate this, my mind caught between practicality and the allure of curiosity. I mean, it’s just cows, right? Yet, there’s a little voice inside me whispering about more than just bovine check-ups.

I let out a sigh, my curiosity winning over caution, and I grab my keys from the front desk, calling out to Katy that I’m leaving and to call if she needs anything—ready for whatever awaits beyond the clinic doors.

As I prepare to leave, a twinge of anxiety creeps in. The thought of encountering Xavier’s father, the source of past disputes, tightens my chest. A bubble forms in my throat, and I run through my breathing routine to calm my nerves—In, out, in, out.

But then I think, screw it. My father is not an indicator of who I am as a person. I refuse to let past ruffles tarnish my reputation. They need to understand that my father hasn’t been himself for a while, and if anyone questions it, I’ll set the record straight.

With a determined exhale, I stride outside to my car.

Pulling up to Xavier’s place, the familiar nerves dance in my stomach as I find myself around him again. A text message from Xavier lets me know they’re just around the back, near the barn. Rounding the side of the house, I come across a chaotic scene—Olivia is wailing about having milk all over her, exclaiming how sticky it is, while Xavier seems to be losing his patience, visibly irritated. Bradley stands to the side, leaning against a wooden beam, wearing a smirk.

Approaching cautiously, I walk up to Bradley, and he surprises me by muttering, “They’ve been at this for the past half an hour. I think they need your help.” His words catch me off guard—I think it’s the most he’s uttered to me so far. I can’t help but smile and nod, before trudging over to Liv and Xavier.

As I walk towards them, their conversation becomes clearer amidstOlivia’s wails and Xavier’s grumpy and frustrated demeanour.

“Can you fucking relax, Liv? It’s just fucking milk. I showed you how to do it. It’s not rocket science,” Xavier grumbles, lifting his hat off his head—running a hand through his hair in apparent irritation. Olivia shoots back with a playful pout.

“I did it, like you showed me!” She exclaims. “I was trying to help, and this stupid cow decided to shake its tail right when I was standing there.” I notice a small bucket of milk tipped over, and Xavier leans forward off the small stool to pick it up, saving the last remaining bits of milk. He places it back underneath the cow’s udders, his movements showing a combination of frustration and expertise.

I notice his frustration etched on his face, his hair sticking to him with sweat underneath his cowboy hat. The rugged charm intensifies as I take in his attire—a white t-shirt that clings to him with sweat and those blue washed jeans that I’ve seen him wear before.

His outfit is completed by a pair of brown steel-cap Booma boots. There’s something about this rugged look that I love—a magnetic pull that makes him even more irresistible.

I can’t help but appreciate the way he wears the farm life—casual yet effortlessly appealing. It’s as if he belongs to this landscape, the sweat and dust adding a layer of authenticity to his allure.

Shaking off the distraction, I clear my throat and flash a playful smile.

“My, my. What do we have here?” At the sound of my voice, Xavier turns in my direction, and his frustration-marred face instantly dissipates. In its place, a look of relief appears, followed by a smirk thatdoesn’t go unnoticed.

Xavier grins, “Well, look who decided to grace us with her presence. Liv, your saviour has arrived.”

Olivia cheers, “Isla, you have no idea how badly I needed your help. Xavier was about to murder me.” She frowns at him, poking her tongue out. I stifle a laugh.

Xavier lets out an annoyed sigh. “Well, it’s about time. Liv here was making a mess,” he grumbles, his irritation still evident.

Olivia sticks her tongue out at him, again, and I can’t help but chuckle at their playful banter. “I tried my best,” she defends herself, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Xavier rolls his eyes and shoots me a grateful glance. “Thanks for coming, Doc. Liv’s enthusiasm for farm chores tends to backfire more often than not.”

I walk over closer to where Xavier is sitting on the stool, the playful banter between Olivia and him still echoing. Olivia crosses her arms in a huff.

“Why do I have to do this anyway? That bastard over there is doing nothing.” She nods to where Bradley is, I’m assuming, still standing. “Why me?” she whines, giving Xavier a pointed look.

Xavier smirks, unfazed by her complaints. “Because you’re good at doingnothing, Liv. It’s about time you did something useful,” he retorts, a teasing glint in his eyes. I suppress a laugh at their dynamic.

Xavier successfully shows me how to milk the cow, Olivia standing nearby. His closeness makes my body shudder. I'm sitting on the stool, and Xavier's towering frame bends over me, his muscular armsnext to mine as he guides my hands on how to grip and pull the udders to get a stream of milk flowing. My face flushes with heat, but I remind myself that I’m in the presence of his sister, so I need to calm down.

Olivia, from beside us, whines, “That’s not fair, she makes it look easy.”

Xavier retorts, his face close to mine, “That’s because it is.”

Olivia huffs, “Whatever.”

Xavier is so close, I can feel his breath on my face as we continue to milk the cow together. He whispers in my ear so only I can hear, “Hm, you’ve got a good grip there, princess.”

---