She had a rough home life and was mostly raised by her grandmother, so she spent a lot of time at the ranch. My dad treats her like a second daughter, always including her in events, getting her flowers for her birthday, all the things her dad has never once done. I’m not even sure she’s talked to her dad in years.
“Okay, okay,” I say. If I don’t tell her, she’ll just keep at me, and we won’t catch up on our lives. I haven’t seen her for a couple weeks; she’s been pulling double shifts at the hospital. “Jack broke his leg, so he has a guy from Oklahoma filling in for him. For reasons unknown to me, Carson didn’t take a liking to him. You know how he can be.”
When I followed Carson around as a kid, Jessie followed me, therefore following Carson. I’ll just say he tolerated her and leave it at that. They bicker and pick at each other nonstop, butI know Carson still thinks of her as a sister and he’s the closest thing she has to a brother.
“Okay . . . Carson can be grumpy, but if he truly dislikes someone, there is normally a reason. Is this guy a dirtbag or something?” she asks as the waitress approaches our table. She places my coffee and muffin down and takes Jessie’s order. I take a bite of my muffin and moan.
Lainey’s baked goods areamazing.
What I will not tell Jessie is Carson’s and my conversation in the truck after the jackpot. He for sure noticed the flirting and was not impressed. He told me in no uncertain terms that a bull rider is the last guy I should date, and I have a feeling Jessie would advise the exact opposite. But it’s a moot point, they both know I don’t date. Not anymore.
“Uh . . . he may have flirted with me a bit. But I’m not interested,” I rush to say. “He’s only here for a few weeks to fill in for Jack. I’m sure he’s just looking for some fling while he’s in town.”
I’m not lying to her, I do think he’s just looking for a fling. But I’m also not sharing all the facts. Like the fact that he is the hottest man I’ve ever seen. And how I could feel his eyes on me yesterday after we rode off. It’s like there is a string tied between us; I can feel when his attention is on me. When I would turn around and catch him watching me, he wouldn’t even try to look away. It made my stomach flip.
I pick up my coffee and take a sip, hoping Jessie will change the subject.
I should know better.
“He flirted with you? How old is this guy? What’s he look like? Is he a good bull rider? What’s his name? I’ll find him on social media.” The rapid-fire questions come so quickly I can’t even answer.
Once she pauses for a breath, grabbing her phone to start hunting the man down on social media, I explain. “It’s not a big deal. Like I said, I’m not interested. And I don’t even know his last name, so let’s please move on to other subjects.”
She huffs, setting her phone down. “Fine, if you say so.” Then I hear her say under her breath, “He must be ugly.” I try not to laugh at that.
“So, tell me about the hospital. Has it been busy?”
We spend the next hour getting caught up before I head back to the ranch.
Chapter 8
Knox
Idrive under the steel Diamond Hart Ranch brand sign above the entry gate, then follow a long gravel driveway lined with redbud trees on both sides. I didn’t pay much attention last time, but I do today. The driveway is over a mile long, with pastures and hay fields on both sides of the drive. The ranch is situated in a valley with mountains surrounding it on three sides.
I drive past what looks like the main house on my way to the horse barn, but I can see two other houses off to the side and what looks like a bunk house attached to an older barn. Everything is brown and white, even the ranch trucks are white with brown DHR logos on the sides. It’s all perfectly maintained—this ranch is clearly extremely successful and probably one of the largest in Colorado.
As I back my truck up to the same spot where I parked last week, I take my last swig of my morning coffee. I step out and drop the tailgate. When I reach for my hoof stand, I spot Kacey and Carson walking up with four brood mares.
I watched the two of them at the roping. They never acted like a couple, but Carson didn’t like it when I invited Kacey to Estes, that’s for sure. There is a clear age gap between them, and I’ve wondered for the past three days what their relationship is. I’d concluded he must work on the ranch.
To be honest, I’m not sure why I keep flirting with her. Yeah, she’s beautiful, and it’s been a while since I’ve been with anyone, but she doesn’t seem like the type for one night stands. I don’t know her at all, but I can just tell she’s a relationship girl and I’m the last thing she needs.
But I can’t help myself.
“Morning,” I say, looking toward Kacey. She’s wearing those damn jeans that fit her like a glove again, with a three-quarter zip sweatshirt and a Kimes ball cap on, her blonde hair pulled back. I remind myself not to check her out with Carson nearby.
Damn, she’s beautiful.
“Morning, Knox.” She smiles.
Carson walks past with two of the horses to put them in the barn. Instead of saying hi or good morning, he just grunts.
What is this guy’s problem with me? Or is he like this to everyone?
“Well, isn’t he just Mr. Sunshine this morning?” I can’t help but mumble once he’s out of earshot.
Kacey smirks. “He’ll warm up to you. He just doesn’t know you.”
