Page 56 of On His Ranch

When Chase woke up, his alarm clock read four a.m. but he felt like he hadn’t slept more than a couple of hours at best. Not that he’d had dreams—he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow—but with having to do the chores on the ranch on his own he hadn’t gotten to bed until past nine. Which was not soon enough, seeing as he’d been running on no sleep the day before.

Oh, well. That’s the way it goes sometimes. Can’t afford to spend any time wallowing when there’s work to be done.

He’d just stood up, stretching his arms above his head, when there was a knock at his door. Sure that it must be his grandfather, he didn’t bother to dress and walked to the door in his boxers. But when he opened it Piper was staring back at him, her teeth sunk deep into her bottom lip.

“Yeah?” he asked.

“Hey. Um… you didn’t come in last night.”

He arched an eyebrow. “So what did I do, climb in a window?”

Just as he’d hoped, she blushed. “Well, I mean, I guess you did… I just didn’t see you.”

“I didn’t bother with dinner,” he said, leaving out the fact that he’d gone in a side door to avoid seeing her. He figured she’d still be in a tizzy from their quarrel in the barn, and he’d been too tired at the time to risk another.

“Oh. Well, you must be hungry.”

“Yes’m. Is there a reason you’re here, Piper?”

“Yes… um… can I come in?”

Is she here to fight or fuck? Cuz I really don’t have time for either.Still, he stood aside and let her enter.

“What is it, Piper?” He wasted no time in asking when he closed the door.

“I was just wondering… I mean, I thought… I thought I’d help you today on the ranch. Patti says Senior won’t be home until tomorrow morning.”

He confirmed her statement with a brisk nod. Only now did he take in her full appearance and realize that she was completely dressed with her work boots on. It made him more conscious of his naked chest, which she seemed to have a hard time looking away from.

“I don’t have any time for funny business today, so I’ll pass.”

Piper’s face was instantly crestfallen. “I really do want to help.”

“You wanted to help yesterday, and I ended up doin’ most of it by my lonesome.” His jaw tightened with the memory.

She ducked her head. “I know. I’m sorry about that.”

“It’s over and done with, but I can’t afford a repeat of yesterday. I’m behind as it is.”

“It won’t be, I promise. A repeat, that is.”

“Thanks, but—”

“Chase, please.”

He opened his mouth to scold her for interrupting when he noticed the way her shoulders were slumped, the way she held her hands behind her back while she fidgeted. “Is this all you came to say, Piper?”

She peeked up at him. “Why do you ask?”

“You look like somethin’ else is on your mind is all.”

“Uh, well…”

“C’mon. Out with it.”

“Well…” She shifted from foot to foot while he watched, growing impatient. “It’s just… I had a lot of time to think… after… you know.”

“Yep.”

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