Page 42 of Say I'm Yours
Cooper tosses his shirt over his shoulder and laughs. “It’s either that or we’re workin’ here a few days a week.”
That is the last thing I want to be doing. I’m sure I can rope Wyatt and Zach into helping out once in a while. They both owe me for saving their sorry butts a time or two.
“That won’t be happening. I think Daddy and I are going to have a come to Jesus moment about needing to hire someone.”
Cooper grabs the bottle of water and chugs it. I watch in rapt fascination at how his throat moves as he swallows. The way his skin is bronzed from being out here for an hour. I try not to think about how good his body looks, but I fail.
He’s the total package.
He finishes his drink and hands me what’s left. “Here, you don’t want to get dehydrated. It’s hot as hell today.”
“Yes. Yes it is,” I mutter and take a drink. I shake my head, trying to rattle the thoughts of Cooper from my mind and clear my throat. “So, can I help you with the fence?”
“Sure.” Cooper lifts his chin and hands me the hammer. “I’ll pull the line tight if you can secure it.”
“No problem.”
We work alongside each other, poking fun at my inability to be able to hit the nail, and then at almost hitting Cooper’s hand. Sweat drips from my forehead as we move to the few poles that are left. I had forgotten how much I disliked hard labor.
After ten more minutes, we’re done with mending the fence. There’s a lot more that needs to be done so we go to the next task, my most hated chore ever, hay bales.
“I think we should leave this for another day,” I suggest.
“You would rather haul them on your own?”
“I would rather they catch on fire.”
He lifts an eyebrow. “What is with girls and hay bales?”
“What does that mean?” I ask with my arms across my chest.
His hands raise in surrender. “I’m just sayin’ all you girls complain when it’s time to move them.”
I’ll be more than happy to explain why.
“Because they’re heavy, the hay gets all in your hair no matter how careful you are, your back aches for days after, and it freaking itches.”
“Would you rather chop wood? Fish? Hunt? Or clean the stalls?” he questions with a grin.
“I would rather sleep.”
Cooper bursts out laughing and wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me against him. “You’re a mess.”
“And you’re gross and sweaty.”
He crouches low, grips my legs, tosses me over his shoulder, and starts running.
“Cooper!” I squeal. “Put me down!” He doesn’t though. He keeps moving as if I’m not speaking until we reach the creek. He better not. “Do not do it!” I say as I hear the water.
“Do what?” His voice is full of innocence.
I hang upside down as the creek comes into view. I start flailing around, slapping him on his butt, hoping to deter him from what I know is coming.
Cold. Ass. Water.
Sure enough, Cooper kicks his boots off and throws mine over on the side of the creek as well. Then he starts stomping in the water causing it to splash all around us.
“Dammit!” I yell as the freezing water pelts my skin while he spins.
