Page 21 of One Heated Summer

The men exchanged a glance before Elijah answered. “Speaking for the men, it’s a good idea so we don’t have to waitfor you to come down from the house. We’ll be able to get started on the day earlier.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

Elijah shrugged. “Assumed you weren’t keen on sitting down to a meal with the men.”

“Why the fuck not? Did my grandfather?”

“Yes, but…” Elijah’s cheeks pinked.

“But, nothing. If that was your routine it should continue and you should have said something. Is there anything else you haven’t informed me is being done differently?”

“Nope,” Elijah said with a shake of his head.

“Okay, I’m going to feed my baby.” I waved over my shoulder as I walked away.

The calf greeted me with an eager bleat when I entered the barn, and I smiled, knowing she must be hungry.

As I’d done twice during the night I prepared two bottles and fed the calf, watching her drink with enthusiasm. She was much more alert than she’d been the night before when Jensen had first brought her over. Once the milk had been devoured, she belched, making me laugh, and lay her head in my lap. I stroked her soft fur while she drifted to sleep. I could have sat with her all day which wasn’t exactly practical. Moving her head onto the blanket covered straw. I stood, took one last look at her, and left to get the day’s chores started.

The peaceful routine of the morning chores grounded me, and I found myself thinking about the choices ahead. The bond I'd formed with Jensen and the ranch grew stronger each day, and the decision about my future loomed ever closer.

Chapter Eleven

Jensen

The sun rose steadily over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the sprawling fields of the ranch. I stood by the barn, after having breakfast with the men, and contemplating the day's tasks we’d spoken about. Briggs and Tru were taking care of the repairing of fences, Sunny and Max would check on the livestock and move some of the herd from one paddock to another while Virginia and I would ensure the watering systems were functioning correctly. The rhythm of ranch work was comforting in its predictability.

But more and more, my thoughts were distracted, constantly drifting towards Harlyn. Her presence had broughta new energy to my life, one that was both invigorating and unsettling. I couldn't help but think of the moments we had shared—the glances and touches that spoke volumes, the passion that radiated between us when we made love.

I wondered if she felt the same pull, the same undeniable connection. The decision she faced about her future weighed heavily on me, I couldn’t bear to think of her leaving. I knew I had to open my heart to the possibility of a life with Harlyn, to let go of the past that had kept me bound for so long. Harlyn was not Clara, she would never lead me to believe she was in love and then walk away.

As I checked Jackie’s saddle, prepared to start the day, I was filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The chores would be my anchor, keeping me grounded even as my thoughts wandered to the possibilities that lay ahead—to the possibility of a long life with Harlyn.

Virginia approached on her mare, Cinnamon, the hooves sending up small puffs of dust as she neared. "Are you ready, Jensen?" she asked, her eyes scanning the horizon behind me.

I nodded, pushing thoughts of Harlyn aside for the moment. "Let's get to it," I replied, mounting Jackie with practiced ease.

Together we rode out to begin checking the water troughs. The ride was quiet, the only sounds coming from the rhythmic clopping of hooves and the occasional bird call. As we approached the first trough, I noticed it was nearly empty and my eyebrows pinched together in a frown.

"There must be a hole or blockage of some sort for the trough to be so empty. We need to fix this," he said, dismounting and inspecting the trough.

Virginia’s hands worked deftly in an attempt to uncover any damage or a blockage in the pipe.

"Got it…twisted hose pipe," she said triumphantly, the water beginning to flow again.

I smiled at her efficiency. Virginia was young but she was proving to be invaluable to the ranch. My gut instincts about her being a dedicated worker when I’d hired her were constantly proving to be right.

We continued our rounds, ensuring each trough was functioning properly. When the sun was high overhead, and it was hot enough to melt the hinges on the gates of Hell, we turned toward the bunkhouse for a cold drink and something to eat.

We took care of our horses and turned them out into a shady paddock where they headed straight for the water trough and drank thirstily. I knew how they felt.

Virginia fussed in the kitchen, making sandwiches from thick slices of ham and cheese while I popped the tops on two bottles of soda and flipped on the coffee maker. Once done, we sat at the old, somewhat rickety table.

I took a bite of my sandwich and washed it down with a mouthful of blessedly cold cola.

“I like Harlyn, do you think she’ll stay?” Virginia asked around a mouthful of sandwich.

“That’s the million dollar question that I wish I had an answer to, Ginny.” I became thoughtful as I ate.

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