He takes a swallow from his cup, then nods. “I know you don’t like ranch life. I expected one of these days you’d find something else. I just hate that you felt you had to sneak around about it. You’re grown, Sawyer. You’re an adult, can make your own decisions. Shit, at your age I was already married to your mom and she was pregnant with you.”
A rueful smile tugs up his cheek as his eyes unfocus.
I can’t imagine being a dad right now. Fuck, I was a virgin until last night.
The onslaught of memories with Val makes my cock twitch against my zipper.
“So did you meet the girl at the bar?” His tone is gentler as he glances again at my hickies.
I’m such an idiot for wanting them.
“Yea.” Should I be honest? “It’s Val.”
He coughs and blinks several times before his dark eyes widen. “Valerie? The owner?”
I just nod.
It’s a surprise when he starts to laugh. “Isn’t she a bit old for you?”
Wait, what? “Not as much as you are over Lori,” I snap.
His palm comes up. “Good point. I was just teasing. That was just…completely unexpected.”
I shrug, swirling the last of my drink in my mug. “We work together well. We get along.”
“I can see that.” He doesn’t even fight the grin. “Just do me a favor? Put your hours on the calendar so I know when you’re working. So I don’t worry with all the shit—” His hand waves in a circle. “—going on?”
“What’s going on?” Grandpa shuffles from the back hall and pulls the chair out on the other side of the table from me.
“Just the same ol’ stuff.” Dad stands and moves towards the kitchen. “Does that sound like a good plan, Sawyer?”
I catch his pointed gaze. “Yea, I can do that.” I get it.
After Mom died, he may have been distant, but he always wanted to know exactly when and where we were.
With all the undertones of trouble around here, I can understand his concern.
I never thought about it from his side.
He sets a mug in front of Grandpa, then drops his hand on my shoulder. “What do you say we go cut cows for a while? I want to get two trailers full for the sale barn trip tomorrow.” He glances up at Grandpa. “You still going with us, Dad?”
“Huh?” Grandpa looks up from pouring, dribbling some coffee over the edge. “Oh, right. Yep. It’ll be a guy’s day. Is Dix going too?”
“No, he has to work. It’ll be just us three. Well…” He pauses, squeezing me slightly where his hand rests. “Will you be here?”
I’d rather be with Val.
But she didn’t seem to want that.
How can I tamp down this craving inside my guts to see her?
“I will. They have pretty good burgers at the auction house.” I haven’t spent much time with Grandpa since I’ve been working with Val.
Listening to his old stories over and over will at least distract me from thinking about her.
For a little while.
Chapter 22
