Page 31 of Samuel

Her eyes lit up. “Is there a store in Bell Ridge? I’d love to pick out a pair the next time I’m in town.”

“Yeah, you’ll find a few places that sell some nice ones.”

“I’ve never had a pair of cowboy boots before.”

“Well, if you plan on staying here, they’re a must.”

“Oh, does the Red River Ranch have an updated dress code I need to know about?”

“If it gets you into cowboy boots, then hell yeah, it does.”

Evie smiled, before tipping her head back against the sofa.

“Are you feeling okay?” he asked.

“I can’t figure you out, Samuel Cooper.”

“I’m a pretty simple guy.”

“I don’t know. It felt like when I got here, the grumpy man I worked with every day didn’t fit you, but I couldn’t pinpoint why. And then today, you’re so kind, and funny, and open about things. It felt like I was meeting the real you. The you who was kind to me before you found out about Jellybean.”

He scrubbed his hand down over his face. “I owe you an apology, for the way I acted before. I know I told you at dinner I’ve been going through some things lately, but that’s not an excuse. I was worried about you getting hurt here. But I hurt you instead, and I’m sorry.”

“Well, I think if anything was ever going to give you bonus points towards me forgiving you, it would be carrying me five miles in your arms because I rolled my ankle.”

“Evie, that was barely a mile.”

Her face lit up. “Oh, well it looks like you’ll just have to do it again to earn more of my forgiveness.”

“As long as you promise not to roll your ankle again, I’ll carry you anywhere you want to go.”

Nine

“Alright. This should be the last of the ones for the past three years.” Sam stacked the last box on top of the others he’d insisted on getting out of the storage room for her.

“Great. I’ll start with the oldest ones and work my way up to the current receipts and invoices. It’s probably going to take me the better part of this week.”

He nodded. “We’re going to be moving the cattle out of the west pasture this week, but before we can do that, there’s fencing to fix. I’d like to be here to help, but I need to be out with the guys.”

“Sam,” Evie waved her hand dismissing him. “You hired me for this. I’ve got it. I’ll have everything sorted and put into the new program and we can sit down some time next week when you are free to go over it all.”

His face has his doubts written all over it.

“None of that,” she scolded. “Go be the rugged cowboy and move your cattle around. I’ll be fine here.”

He nodded, walking past her to grab his hat off the wall.

“Hey, Boss?” Zeke walked into the office.

“Hey. I was just coming out to meet you guys.”

“Good.” His eyes darted over to Evie before landing back on Sam. “We got a problem with the herd. Better get out there.”

“What is it?”

“Derrick and I’ll show you.”

Sam brows furrowed and Evie knew what he was wondering. Why was Zeke hiding what was worrying him?

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