“Because Phillip said this means a lot to you. And I don’t want you to have to look around for some random guy who can’t be trusted, who doesn’t deserve to be within a hundred miles of you.”
I bite my lip. “But you’re a guy.”
“Yep. The right guy for the job.”
“How come?” I say again.
We’ve pulled into Big River, and Brayden slows the truck to a crawl as we reach the farm stand.
He turns off the truck and leans toward me until his eyes are burning into my hot skin. “Because I would never take advantage of it.”
I lick my lips, and Brayden’s gaze travels to my mouth and stays there. Then, he abruptly jerks back and resumes a blank expression on his face.
“Okay.” My voice comes out hoarse. “You’ve got the job. You’re my dance partner for the rest of the month.”
Brayden’s nod is quick and definitive like we’ve sealed the deal. “Cool.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket as we’re walking to the farm stand.
“Hi, Phillip, we just got here,” I say as I pick up.
“Scratch the produce,” he says to me. “The volunteers got into a fender bender on their way here. They’re not coming after all.”
“Okay, we’ll head back,” I say.
“The whole operation’s shutting down early due to rain in the forecast, so take your time if you want to grab a coffee or something,” he says. “Mindy and I are going to the university for a quick slide analysis.”
“Wait. You’re…”
“Let’s plan to meet back at the Food Drive in an hour or so, and I’ll drive us home.”
I exhale. I want to ask Phillip more about this Mindy person, but Brayden’s standing about a foot away, waiting. So I end the call and fill Brayden in on the change of plans. Then, I have an idea.
“I don’t suppose this would be a good time to get that soil sample, would it?” I ask him.
“Perfect,” he says. “The owners are away all weekend.”
We make a stop at Save the Soil for me to grab my equipment, and twenty minutes later, I’m tacking up a mare named Dolly and preparing to climb into the saddle.
“You sure you know how to ride?” Brayden asks me when I miss the stirrup and nearly wipe out on my first try.
My face is on fire, but I go for honesty. “I definitely know how to ride, yes. It’s just been a very long time. My grandfather had a ranch, and June and I rode all the time growing up. But after he passed away, we stopped. My parents aren’t into recreational activities.”
Brayden leads his powerful gelding, Blazer, into the paddock and returns to my side.
“Here, I’ll give you a leg up,” he says.
I try not to react when he takes my foot in his hand and hoists me upward onto the horse.
Once I’m in the saddle, though, I relax. Brayden hands me the bag of supplies I need for the sampling, and I place it in my lap.
I pat Dolly’s neck while Brayden mounts Blazer. And then, we start riding at an easy pace past the barn and down a marked trail until we reach a beautiful meadow lined on both sides with tall trees. The sky is still gray, and the rain looks imminent. Still, I can’t remember the last time I felt this peaceful.
“This is awesome,” I say genuinely. “I really missed riding. And just being outdoors for fun.”
Brayden smiles. “You live in Montana, and you’re surrounded by ranches. You could ride every day of the week if you wanted to.”
“I know. But for the last five years, I’ve been cooped up in a classroom.”
