After finishing breakfast with everyone at the ranch house which serves as a pre-work meetin’ of sorts, Dee and I make our way to the large storage shed where we store the Gators and trailers. “Bet you’ve driven one of these before.”
“Sure have,” she replies. “Raced ‘em too. Big brothers, remember.”
“Ah. Your brothers sound like mine, except usually it was me, Austin and Lan muckin’ around.”
“Is it muckin’ around if you’re havin’ fun while doin’ itandstill gettin’ the work done?” she says with a knowing grin.
I throw a set of keys her way, returning her smile as she catches them in one hand. “Too true. But how ‘bout we behave ourselves just for today. Can’t havetoomuch fun in your first week, right?”
“And here was I thinkin’ you were the naughty one,” she teases.
I shake my head her way. “Don’t encourage me, Skippy. Now let’s go to the equipment shed and get what we need before headin’ out.”
“After you,boss,” she muses. I have to bite back a groan becausethatdoesn’t help with me not wanting to keep flirting with her.
Twenty minutes later, we've got full canteens, packed lunches, and all the tools we could need for the day and Dee is behind the wheel of the Gator, gunning it down the dirt roads like she’s a speed demon who’s been drivin’ the trails for years, not a day.
She's got her trusty hat and kangaroo pin on, paired with dirty work jeans that cling to her in a way Ishouldn’tbe noticing as much as I am, and well-worn steel-capped boots that show she’s a born rancher without a care about what things look like, just as long as they’re comfortable.
Seeing her show just how much of a rancher she is warms my heart. It’s all just so natural for her. There’s no nerves or uncertainty as she navigates over the rugged terrain, her laughter filling the air whenever the Gator jolts over a bump orthrough a divot. She’s got a joy for life that is as contagious as it is heartwarming. It’s like nothing can dim her light. Somewhat refreshing and a little bit intimidating at the same time.
This is the woman I have to make fall in love with me and want to stay here forever. I don’t think the ranch side of things is going to be a problem, not with the way she seems to be as in love with the land already as all of us are.Which just leaves the me part to conquer…
As we approach the first paddock, the cows come toward us, being their usual inquisitive selves. After patting and rubbing their rumps, we trudge our way through the herd toward the first of many water troughs to check.
"You gonna let me have a go at this one?" Dee asks. "They're slightly different to the ones back home but I'm sure I can work it out. If you're happy to let me at it, that is."
"Sure thing, Skippy," I reply, waving my hand out and taking a step back. "With your experience, I have no doubt you can do it. You’re probably better at it than me.”
She laughs. “Naw. It’s like second nature to me. Been doin’ it all my life, just like you.”
Stepping up to the trough, she gives it a thorough check-over before turning the tap and topping it up. I watch her closely, admiring the way she moves with confidence and purpose. She's all about getting in there and getting the job done, getting her hands dirty and not caring about whether she’s getting messed up or anything. It’s about being productive and doing what she’s here to do. Contributing to the ranch just like the rest of us.
Except unlike me, she does it with a captivating grace that seems as natural as breathing.Stop moonin' over the woman until you're ready to do somethin' about it, Tobes.
Before too long, she's tightened the tap and checked the valves for leaks before straightening and looking my way. "She's all good."
"Yes, she is," I mutter to myself before Dee's amused gaze snaps me out of my daze.
"Ready for the next one?"
She shoots me a mock salute. "Yes, sir."
"Sir's my father."
"I know. Just like seein' the surprise in your eyes when I say it,Tobes.” Shooting me a wink, she turns around and moves back to the Gator, leaving me standing there watching her go like a gormless idiot with his first crush. "C'mon, boss man. The troughs ain't gonna check themselves."
Thatgets me moving, and soon enough, we're onto the next one.
We split up the work for the next few hours, each of us tackling a different section of troughs while the sun beats down on us. It makes for hot and sweaty work, but it's the type of good hard labor that makes the blood pump and the muscles ache in the best way. All in a day's work at Bull Mountain.
Dee bends over one of the troughs, inspecting it with a keen eye. Her slender fingers run along the edges, searching for any cracks or signs of damage. There's a determined set to her jaw, and I can't help but admire her dedication.
I join her, unable to tear my eyes away from her. "Find anythin’?" I ask.
She straightens and wipes the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. "Nothin’ major, just a small crack. I can fix it real quick if you can grab me that tube of waterproof sealant I saw in the toolbox."
I get what she needs and hand it over. "Nice catch.”
