Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
“Times are hard for other ranchers and farmers in the area,” Wyatt offered.
“Exactly. I would’ve been less surprised if these goats had gone missing, but this— to deliberately just hurt them? This isn’t something a farmer or rancher would do.” At least I didn’t think so; maybe it was just wishful thinking.
“Could be jealousy,” he offered as he held onto the second goat, Rabbit, because he hopped everywhere. “The changes you’ve made have definitely worked in your favor, and maybe that just doesn’t sit right with some of the other folks. You know how people can be around here.”
I nodded because I did know. I’d gotten more than a few phone calls and evil-eyed looks from others in the area when I expanded beyond simple bison ranching. “If you mean close-minded and stuck in the past, yeah, I know. Too well.”
“Could just be kids being assholes, and this situation got away from them.”
“Maybe,” I agreed, but only because it could be any of those things or something else altogether. “These aren’t even big goats, not worth killin’— that’s for sure.” Something felt off about it, but I switched my focus to freeing the goats and getting them fixed up while we waited for the veterinarian to show up. “Any problems with employees I don’t know about?”
Wyatt frowned. “Nope. I wouldn’t keep anything like that from you.”
“I know, but when I’m a grumpy asshole, you try to shield them from me.”
He smiled. “Lately you’ve been surly as hell, but a grumpy asshole? Don’t know where that guy went. Wonder why,” he said more to Friendly, our youngest goat, who had no idea she was a goat because she spent too much time with the dogs.
“What are you getting at, Wyatt?”
“Nothing much,” he shrugged and arched a brow. “Looked like I might’ve interrupted something back in the kitchen.” His smile was small but knowing, and the laugh only broke free when I glared back at him.
“Maybe, but that’s all I’m saying about it.”
“For now,” Wyatt said confidently. “It’s good. I’m glad.”
“You don’t think she’s too young?”
“She’s young, sure,” Wyatt agreed. “But if she’s mature enough to take care of your boy, she’s old enough. And you like her. Been a long damn time since you’ve liked anyone at all. Other than me,” he added with a laugh.
“She’s so fucking likable. I dare anyone to not like her after spending a few minutes with her.”
Wyatt sighed when Friendly wiggled free and licked his face. “I like her, but I don’t want to kiss her.”
I frowned. “Why not?”
He smiled. “I like my women feisty, and she’s as sweet as apple pie. That’s just what you need— somebody to soften those sharp edges of yours.”
“Sharp edges?”
He nodded. “You have a tendency to throw yourself into work and to forget about everything other than what needs doing. You’ve had lunch at home more since she got here than you have in longer than I can remember.”
Wyatt’s words sat with me for hours as we got the goats back to separate pens and worked on disinfecting their wounds until the vet arrived. It was an easy job that didn’t require much other than focus and a soft touch, and that allowed my thoughts to wander back to Molly. Sweet, young Molly who kissed like a dream. That kiss told me there was a lot more fire in her than she let on—hell, maybe even more than she knew she possessed. It was as hot as it was unexpected.
The last thing I expected when I heard her moaning in the pantry was that seconds later, her body would be molded to mine while we made out like teenagers. Even though doubts continued to creep in about our age difference, I kept thinking about her words. She wanted me too; she admitted as much straight to my face, and knowing that—hell, it only made me want her more.
It wasn’t smart; I knew that. Us together had disaster written all over it. When I inevitably fucked up and she fled from the ranch, what would I do then? What would Hunter do?
By the time I made it back to the main house, the sun was starting to brighten the landscape, and it was still silent inside. I stopped in the middle of the hall. If I turned one way, I’d be right in front of Molly’s bedroom door. The other way led to my bedroom. It was the right path. The smart path. As much as I wanted her, I pushed my legs to my room, where I kicked off my socks, jeans, and boxers, tossing my shirt on the way to the bathroom, where I took the quickest, hottest shower of my life. I was exhausted down to my bones, and water droplets still clung to my skin as I collapsed face down in bed and fell promptly asleep.