Page 6 of My Cowboy Freedom
Chapter 3
Rock
Just my luck, the new guy quoted scripture in casual conversation. He didn’t look like a plant, though. Anyone my parents sent to spy on me would appear better off. Less weathered.
Anyone my parents sent would look as if they’d stepped out of a picture frame at Walmart.
Sky kept his hands wrapped tightly around his backpack—as if someone would steal it from him if he didn’t. He’d gone real quiet after that first nervous jabber about rocks.
Precious gems...
I sneaked another glance his way. The way he met my eyes lit a fuse that went straight to my belly. Further south, even. I looked too long. Let my gaze drop to his mouth, which I wanted wrapped around my cock right the fuck then...
He was lean and extremely fit. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him, but he didn’t exactly have the look of a cowboy.
He was also wound tighter than my guitar strings so I wanted to set him at ease.
We bumped along the rutted track, thrown around the truck like dice in a game ofTrouble.
“So, are you from Texas originally?” I asked.
“All over.”
“You work any of the spreads around here?”
“Nope.”
“What kind of experience—”
“Not much. Look,” he said. “You mind not grilling me until I get settled in? I’m nervous enough as it is.”
“Who’s grilling? I’m making conversation.” He didn’t look like he was going to answer, which pissed me off a little. I was trying to be friendly, and here he was, blowing hot and cold on me. “All right. You get settled in first.”
I clammed up, but I guess he felt bad, because he was the one broke the silence a minute or two later.
“Not that I mind talking to you.” That softened things, but if you asked me it was too little too late. “You seem like a nice guy.”
“Iama nice guy. Ask anyone.” Then I remembered. “Oh. Right. That’s me, talking again. Sorry. Just trying to be friendly.”
A minute or so passed when no one spoke. That’s actually a long time if you pay attention. Sky caved in first again. “I really need this job. And I could use a friend. But I don’t like to talk about myself. I don’t know what else to say.”
“Aw, now.” My heart went out to him. It was tough getting a job in this economy. “It’s going to be okay. If you work hard, you’ll do fine here.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Good to know.”
“And don’t mind Elena. She’ll warm up. She always does.”
“I hope so.”
We took the rutted trail that led by the gardens and the chicken coop, which I’d built myself, and the pens where the pigs and goats lived. That was my little patch of the ranch, and I felt a rush of pride every time I saw it. The people and animals at the Rocking C depended on me; Sterling Chandler told me so.
I slid another glance the new guy’s way. Sized him up. No matter how generous I wanted to be...
Nope.
He was no cowboy.
He was pale as a half-cooked pancake, for one thing. I’d never seen a hand who didn’t have white crow’s feet lines from squinting at the sun. And Sky sure didn’t move like he spent much time in the saddle.
