Page 17 of Last Chance Love

My back and shoulders were one big ache as I set the last feed bale onto the pile. They would have to be distributed tomorrow to the animals, but for now, at least they were stored safely. That wouldn’t stop all the critters finding them, but that was a constantly fought war on the ranch.

I welcomed the ache, though, rolling my shoulders in a vague attempt to ease it. One of the perks of being a mentor was that you weren’t required to do nearly as much physical labor. More often than not, you were busy trying to keep an eye on your mentees and looking for trouble from other Tier Ones you were managing for the day. Which was great on your back, but sometimes, there was something wonderful about pushing your body to get things done.

My thoughts were interrupted, not by sound or movement, but by the sense of being watched. Arching a brow, I turned to find the source of the unnerving feeling and stopped at a familiar sight perched atop the pyramid of bales.

“Well, hey there, Heathen,” I said, reaching a hand out toward the calico perched at the edge of a bale. Her yellow eyes caught the sunlight, flashing as she bent her head to sniff me carefully. It was an old game because everyone who worked the farm knew which cats you could pet and which you avoided, and Heathen was a lover.

“That’s what I thought,” I said with a snort when she stretched to walk down the bales and headbutt my palm with all the grace of a drunken ox. I curled my fingers, scratching along her cheek and the side of her neck, which were weak points for her. “You always try to act haughty like your brother, but you’re not nearly as fancy, are you, baby girl?”

I was on the fence about how much animals understood, but she sure as hell started purring up a storm after I finished talking. Sometimes, I wondered if whoever was responsible for naming the animals around here missed the mark. They could have gone with Chainsaw or Motor for her, which would have been far more accurate. Then again, considering her hunting habits, Heathen fit just fine.

“Leon?” a gruff voice barked from outside the storage shed.

“We’re in here,” I called without thinking.

A scowling face poked into the shed. “I thought you were in here screwing around.”

“Nice to know that’s where your brain went first, Max,” I said with a scoff. “Something you want to confess?”

His scowl deepened. “Shut the hell up. Everyone knows you and Reed?—”

“Yeah, yeah, everyone is so funny. I’m so glad to see everyone picking up the joke like a bunch of comedians. I’d blame Riley’s effect on you, but he doesn’t seem the type to make bad jokes,” I said, hoisting Heathen up so she could curl her large body into the crook of my arm.

“Leave Riley out of this,” he told me with uncharacteristic sharpness. Gruff, sure, but almost mean?

“How’s he doing?” I asked. I’d tried to stay updated, but Max had made it clear Riley was fine and didn’t need my interference. It had sucked, but at the same time, I realized I was asking primarily out of guilt rather than any genuine concern. Still, it had been a few weeks since Reno had practically knocked his head off without warning, so maybe it was a safe time to ask.

“How do you think he’s doing?” Max asked, crossing his arms and looking irritated. “As perky as ever and never shuts up.”

“Somehow, I feel you aren’t as bothered by that as you let on,” I said as I walked toward the doorway with the cat still in my arms.

“What? You’re an expert on me now?” he asked gruffly.

I stepped out into the sun's baking heat and turned to look at him curiously. “You seem…grumpy today.”

“Ask anyone here. I’m always grumpy.”

I laughed a little. “Yeah, but there’s normal people grumpy, and then there’s Max grumpy. Two very different measures.”

“I don’t want to know.”

“I think you already do.”

“Ugh.”

“If it makes you feel better, there’s normal people happy, and then there’s Riley happy.”

“No, that doesn’t make me feel better, thanks.”

“You’re not thankful at all?”

“No.”

“Alright, well, why don’t you tell me why you came looking for me? Since it’s probably the same thing that has you grumpier than usual.”

“I’m going to get so sick of that word,” he muttered before glancing at one of the animal pens. I could see Elliot and Reno cleaning them out, sweat soaking their shirts as Elliot chatted, and Reno glowered at everything he laid eyes on. “There a reason you put them with me?”

I blinked. “What makes you think I had anything to do with it?”

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