Page 12 of Ranch Life At Heart
He walks along with me into the tack room to place his saddle, along with the headstall, on an empty spot.
“This is insane. Why are you here? We have nothing to talk about. Does your father even know you’re here?” I point at the gorgeous purebred. “I’m sure he’ll go insane if he finds out you put his stallion in my humble little stable.”
He catches my elbow when I want to stomp away from him. “Stop pointing out the differences between our ranches.”
“Why?” I challenge and jerk my arm away from his grip.
“Because I’m trying to have a decent conversation with you and all you’re doing is trying to push me away.”
I grit my teeth. “Then take the damn hint and get lost.”
He steps closer and I hate the way my body reacts to his. “I hear you’re looking for a ranch hand.”
My lips stay sealed, his however do the complete opposite when he states, “You can stop looking.”
I raise my eyebrow, and he raises his in challenge.
Then it clicks. “You? You’re telling me you want the job?”
A laugh bubbles from me, but the man keeps a straight face.
“You’re serious?” I squeak.
“I want the job. If it’s credentials you need, I’ll give you a list. Put me to work right fucking now and I’ll show you I’m the man you need.” His voice is fierce and he keeps his eyes locked on mine.
Seconds tick by while my mind goes over so many reasons why this is a bad idea.
Instead of voicing those, I find myself asking, “Why on earth would you want to work with me when your father has a ranch right next to mine with three or four times more horses than I have?”
“What my father needs is someone overseeing the breeding choices while he has multiple people doing the work I like to do. You need an extra pair of hands, I like you, more than just being inside you. So, it sounds like a good solution for both of us,” he says with a shrug as if it’s common knowledge.
I purse my lips and decide to skip right over the reminder of him being inside me. “You like me? Quite the difference from when we were kids, when you only liked to pull my hair.” He smirks and I shake my finger in his direction. “Don’t you dare mention how I like you pulling my hair now.”
The corner of his mouth twitches. “Wouldn’t dream of it, ma’am. And if I did? I would keep it to myself.”
“Sure, you would,” I mutter and firm my voice. “Fine. Take care of my horse, muck the stalls, and get the rest of the horses inside when you’re done. Tomorrow at six we start with mucking the outdoor arena. Part of the east fence needs to be checked and repaired if necessary. Still interested?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he dutifully replies.
“Quit calling me ma’am. Just call me Rosy and get to work.” I don’t wait for a reply but turn on my heels and walk out of the stables.
Once I’m inside I start to pace back and forth in the living room. Grabbing my phone, I tap the screen and hit Daphne’s number.
She picks up on the fourth ring and I fire off the words, “He just shows up here and wants to work. Can you believe it? Here. Out of all places he wants to work here.”
Daphne is quiet for a few heartbeats until she deadpans, “Isn’t it normal for people wanting to work if you have a job up for grabs?”
“Yes,” I hiss. “But not for Cedar freaking Stellan to show up, wanting the job and putting a black Arabian stallion in my stall.”
“Hmmm,” Daphne hums. “Not one but two stallions at your ranch. Lucky you.”
“Focus, Daphne. I’m serious. This cannot be happening. He’s up to something, I’m sure. He and his father. Maybe he’s here to sweeten me up, thinking he can get in my pants again, so I’ll swoon all over his dick and use it to sign away the pasture.”
“I’m pretty sure cum can’t be used as ink to sign something, Rosy,” Daphne deadpans.
We both fall silent until a bark of laughter rips from me, and Daphne laughs along with me. Feeling completely drained, I sink into the large chair facing the window and huff out a breath.
Daphne’s voice is soft when she says, “Jason mentioned the job to Cedar when he was called to come over to their ranch.”
