Page 29 of On His Ranch

“How many what? Cows?”

“No. Barns.” She gazed up at it. Though it was decorated the same as the other one, with dark brown paint and white trim, it was much bigger.

“Oh, about half a dozen or so.”

She did a double-take. “You can’t be serious.”

“Barns aren’t something we joke about ‘round here.”

“Funny, I didn’t think you joke about anything.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she cursed inwardly. It hadn’t taken long for her to break her own vow about keeping her mouth shut.

“Is that so?” Chase lifted his chin, practically daring her to repeat it.

Piper felt her heart still. She wasnotdoing a good job of keeping her head down. “I just meant…” She trailed off helplessly, unsure of how to talk herself out of this one.

“I think I know what you meant.” He took two steps toward her, closing the distance between them.

She backtracked to prevent him from cornering her.

He smirked.

It was such a simple gesture but one that threw her off guard. One minute, he was almost considerate and the next… he clearly knew all too well the effect he had on her. Worse, he reveled in it. Helikedhaving power over women. Over her.

That realization didn’t scare her nearly as much as it should have.

“I’m a pretty easygoing guy, Piper. Once you get to know me.”

“I’m sure that’s true. I bet you don’t let too many people get to know you, though,” she added. Once the words were out of her mouth, she was surprised by her own daring.

“Maybe. But what about you?”

“What about me?”

“There’s clearly more to your story and you’re not exactly eager to share.”

She stopped where she stood and faced him, letting her eyes rove his face for a moment. She took a deep breath before answering, “You’re right. I guess you’ll keep your secrets and I’ll keep mine.”

Chase answered with a sharp nod. “Fine.”

“Fine,” she echoed. She could admit to herself that it wasn’t the answer she’d hoped for.

* * *

Once they were both seated on stools in front of separate stalls he began the lesson. “Watch me and follow my lead.” He squeezed a thin line of milk into his pail.

“Yes, sir.”

“Let your fingers do the work,” he said, squeezing the udder again.

“I… I did it!” Piper yelped, throwing her arms in the air. In her excitement, her foot kicked over the pail and spilled out the approximately two drops she’d collected.

“So you did,” he remarked dryly.

“Sorry.” She bent over and quickly rectified the pail. Then she took hold of the udders and began squeezing again. “That should make up for it.”

“How? We’re gonna be short that fourth of an ounce, we won’t be able to get it back.”

When she looked up, her peaked face alarmed, he took pity on her.

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