He shook his head. "Not done, just close enough. Still need to sweep the aisle a few more times and power wash everything again. Might need some sand to go between the no-slip tiles, but we can get that in town when I run by to get the baling twine and a few parts for the tractor."
"Wait." I pointed at the tractor in front of the barn. "You're going to make hay with that?"
"Oh no." He gestured for me to follow and headed to the darkest corner of the building.
To the right of the main door was an open area, set back around the corner of the tack and feed room. There, he flipped a switch in the massive panel at the side. Dim, dusty lights tried to illuminate the interior, but were struggling. It was barely enough to see the machine.
"That," he said, "is what we'll use to make hay. You've got a 120-horsepower tractor, swather, rakes, and a pretty nice round baler back here. Probably needs a tune-up, but everything looks like it'll work just fine. Thankfully, the keys are in it. Not sure the thing’s been turned over since we lost Bea."
"And you can do this alone?"
He shrugged. "Most of it. After it's cut and bailed, I might get you to drive the truck while I load up the bales, so they don't rot in the field, but yeah. It's not that hard, Miss Dawson."
"It is for me," I admitted. Those words didn't come out easily, but I was trying. "Luke, I honestly don't know what I'd do without you."
"Well, don't worry. I'm not going anywhere." His eyes flicked to mine, then he pushed on a polite smile. "I think I wanna see Southwind back in business almost as much as you do, and this is the least I can do to help. That you're boarding my horses for it? Ma'am, it makes me willing to bust my ass a little."
I tipped up my bottle to stall. This time, he hadn't made a single comment about the view. He'd gone back to calling me ma'am. I had no idea what that meant, but it couldn't be good.
"And you're bringing your horses tomorrow?"
He took a deep breath, but nodded. "I'd like to, unless you've changed your mind."
"No. I'd kinda like that. I miss having them around, and think I'd enjoy the company." I chewed on my lip. "Maybe you'll let me ride one? I hear it gets lonely out here in this big house alone."
He nodded, but didn't warm up quite like I’d expected. "Then I'll introduce you when they get here. Cricket's real sweet, and Storm has his moments. Both of them are good with kids - " He paused, his eyes flicking away. "I mean they're that gentle. If you really want to ride, I'd be happy to let you use one." Then he held out his half-finished bottle of lemonade. "Sorry I can't finish that, but I still have cows to feed. I'll see you in the morning, Miss Dawson."
I took it, well aware that our fingers didn't come close to touching. "Thanks Luke. Have a good night, ok?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Yeah. I’dreallyscrewed this up. My pampered, spoiled, bratty attitude may have ruined the one thing I’d spent my adult life dreaming of. I’d always thought that if I could just impress him, then it would be proof of my success, but I’d failed. Not just a little, I’d crashed and burned with gusto. Maybe Ashton could help me figure out how to make it better? At least he'd have some idea what this new cold shoulder thing meant. Luke wasn't avoiding me, but he sure as hell wasn't encouraging me anymore. It was like a switch had been flipped, and I had no idea how to flip it back.
Chapter Eight
The next day started off hot and only got worse. Tossing the empty feed bags in my truck, I made sure they wouldn't fly out then hopped in the cab. I was covered in alfalfa dust and filthy as hell, but it was ten ‘til noon. I'd told Violet I'd be by in the morning and I'd almost missed it. If that damned heifer hadn't gotten herself stuck in the pond, it wouldn't have been a problem. As it was, I still needed to pick up shavings and some hay, and load my horses.
I should probably call her to make sure she knew I hadn't backed out. Yeah, things between us had changed, but I still liked her. I'd just have to convince her that there was nothing wrong with my kid. The first step was to make sure I had a reason to keep coming back. Until then, I'd just keep it nice and professional. Unplugging my phone from the charger, I found her number and dialed. Just as my truck started, someone picked up.
"Violet Dawson's phone," a man said.
What the hell? "Uh." I cleared my throat. "Is she around?"
The man sounded amused. "Can I tell her who's calling?"
"Luke. She's expecting me."
"Yeah. Hang on." The sound went dead like I'd been cut off. A second later, it came back. "She's getting dressed, but wanted to know if you were stopping by."
"Um." Was that water I heard in the background? Was this guy standing in the bathroom while she showered? Sure what it sounded like. "I'd planned on it, but understand if she's busy."
The guy chuckled. "Nah, she's just gonna be lying around for most of the day. Said to tell ya to meet her behind the barn, if that means anything?"
"Right. She probably needs to know the trick to starting the old tractor." I decided to probe a bit. "And who were you again?"
"Ashton. I'm her partner."
Wasn't that what live-ins called each other now? "Right. I'll be there in about an hour, if that's not a problem?"
