Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
He was devastatingly sexy.
“Impressive for a little filly like you.”
I sniffed. “It’s not your size. It’s how you use your strength.”
He nodded and looked thoughtful. “I’m sorry for leaving you stranded and being rude.”
I pursed my lips. “Rachel tell you that you had to say that?”
“She might have made the suggestion.”
I smiled at his honesty. “You really thought I was a man?”
He drained his mug and set it on the table. “I have a habit of half listening to Rachel at times. If she says I should have known, then I should have known. It’s on me. But yes, I expected a guy with a beard, not a pretty woman with, ah…” He dropped his eyes to my chest and trailed off. “Not a woman.”
“You thought I’d have a beard?” I teased.
He grinned, making that sexy dimple appear again. “The name Sam sounded as if there would be a beard, yes.”
“Well, sorry, no beard. And no dick.”
He gaped at me, then flung back his head in laughter. It was loud, honest, and real. It made me smile. He slapped the table and shook his head.
“Well, Lady, for not having a dick, you got some cojones on you, I’ll give you that.”
I shrugged. “In the family I grew up in, you needed to have balls to survive.”
He wiped his eyes. “I’ll remember that. Now, are you going to accept my apology?”
“Since you were so sincere, how could I refuse?”
He leaned forward, suddenly earnest. “I am sorry. I know how much Rachel has set in store for this to work. I shouldn’t have overreacted, and I certainly shouldn’t have taken my shock out on you. I’m glad you’re so, ah, tenacious and found your way here. Give me another chance.”
I met his intense gaze. His eyes were as blue as the ocean on a sunny day. Fathomless. His heavy eyebrows and long lashes set them off. They were also direct and honest.
“Why did you agree to have me here?” I asked.
He sighed. “I love this ranch, and I don’t want to lose it. The beef industry has changed drastically. Prices and demand are down. Yet my costs are up. We’ve added a dairy aspect, but it’s still a struggle. Our beef has a strong reputation of excellence and our dairy will as well, but it takes time.”
“Why is demand down?”
He stood and filled his mug, bringing the pot over to top up mine. He grabbed an apple from the bowl and sat back down, rubbing the red fruit on his shirt before taking a bite. He chewed and swallowed before answering.
“There is a huge vegetarian/vegan trend. The whole cow flatulence thing. Beef took a beating with the mad cow disease scare. Consumption has gone down overall. Chicken farmers feel the effects of the trends as well. So do pig farmers. We all have to manage and bend as the world changes.”
“And you have chickens too.”
“Just a small brood. I also have sheep and goats. We have a few crops, but mostly for our own use.”
“I see. So what changes have you seen?”
“For me, my herds are smaller. I sell fewer cattle for an even smaller profit. The grasses my animals graze on are free from insecticides. We let them roam freely over the ranch. We rotate where the cows eat so the grass has a chance to regrow. I use a technique to help spur that growth with hens.”
“Hens?”
He chuckled. “I’ll get into that another day. We use no growth hormones or any additives. It takes them longer to mature, which costs me more money. But I refuse to lower my standards. We have never been part of a tainted meat problem. Never had mad cow affect our livestock. But we still suffer.”
“How long does it take a cow to, ah, grow?”
“About two years on a grass-fed diet.”
“Wow.”
He nodded, and I heard the frustration in his voice. “I want to keep the ranch producing the finest cattle. The best beef. We are completely free-range, no additives. Organic. Have been for years before it was another trend. Beef is still needed. Still wanted. It’s a high source of iron and part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s leaner and more nutritious now than ever—especially the grass-fed cows. Beef contains every nutrient you need in order to survive. Not many people realize that.”
“I didn’t,” I replied.
“I assume from the snack you’re eating, you’re not a beef eater?” He indicated the crackers and cheese on my plate.
“No. I like beef. My whole family does. But the truth is, I was so hungry when I got off the plane, I had the driver pull into a drive-thru, and I ate in the car. But I’m snacky, and I love cheese and crackers.” I flashed him a smile. “I didn’t really want to rummage in your kitchen too deeply in case you tossed me out again.”