“Sure, it’s not just an excuse to see Jensen?” I tease, waggling my brows.
She tips her head back, laughing. “As if you’re not looking for an excuse to see Walker.”
Touche.
Jensen splits his time between working on the ranch and helping Briar with her nonprofit, and since they can’t stand being apart for more than a few hours, they’re always finding excuses to be in the same place during the workday.
Gravel crunches beneath the Jeep tires as Briar pulls up beside the field where everyone is hard at work. Heath holds a new post steady while Jensen shovels dirt back in the hole, packing it tight around the base. Down the line, Walker and the ranch hands work in pairs, repeating the same process along a stretch of fence that Briar told me had seen better days.
My gaze drifts to Walker, his sleeves rolled up and dirt streaked across his forearm. His white shirt is soaked with sweat, clinging to his back as his muscles flex with each movement while he lifts another post into place. He’s downright sexy, and I remember exactly what those hands are capable of—gripping my face, his mouth on mine, rough and urgent. I exhale, forcing myself to rein in my fantasy. Now isn’t the time or place to have lusty thoughts.
Jensen notices us first and claps Heath on the back, pointing in our direction.
“Come on, little man,” Briar calls over her shoulder to Caleb. “They look like they could use a break, and your dad sure seems excited to see you.” Her gaze shifts to me. “And judging by that look on your face, you’re eager for a reunion of your own.” Her tone is teasing as she nods toward Walker, whose brow furrows when he squints in our direction and spots us.
I don’t bother denying it as I climb out of the vehicle and wave to Walker. When he spots me, his expression shifts, a grinspreading across his face as he lifts a hand in return. Relief washes over me, the tight knot in my chest loosening.
I help Briar and Caleb lay out the ham subs, fruit and nut packs, and water so the guys can grab a bite when they’re ready.
Heath and Jensen are the first to head over. Caleb runs straight into Jensen’s arms, giggling as Jensen lifts him and spins him in a circle.
“Appreciate you stopping by, sis,” Heath says, grabbing a bottle of water from the cooler and drinking it down in seconds. “Howdy, Birdie. Didn’t expect to see you here.”
My shoulders square on instinct. “Figured Briar could use some backup preparing lunch so you guys could get a break from this heat.”
He slowly nods. “It’s a scorcher today, that’s for damn sure.”
“Y’all making good progress?” Briar asks.
“We always do with Heath in charge. He’s a tough taskmaster,” Jensen interjects, moving to stand beside her, slipping an arm around her shoulder, and planting a kiss on her temple.
The ranch hands come over, and I’m caught off guard when I spot Dalton—the guy from the bar I accidentally elbowed in the nose. I didn’t know he worked for the Halsteads. He stops in his tracks when he sees me, as if I’m capable of inflicting another injury from ten feet away.
I’m spared from an awkward interaction when Walker steps out from the front of the Jeep. His gaze flickers between Dalton and me as he comes to stand beside me.
His possessive gaze drops to my mouth as his fingers graze my hip. “You’re here.”
“I am,” I say, smiling softly. “You’ve had a long day, so I wanted to bring you lunch. I hope that’s okay.”
“Okay? You just made my whole damn day, Birdie, baby.”
He tips my chin and captures my lips in a slow, lingering kiss that feels a lot like he’s staking his claim.
“Guess we’re kissing in public now?” I murmur against his lips.
“Damn right. Gotta make it clear who you belong to.” He shoots a warning glance at Dalton before leaning in to kiss me again.
Heaven help me, but I like this possessive side of Walker, and for a fleeting moment, our relationship feels dangerously real.
A Little Birdie Told Me
The guys polished off lunch in fifteen minutes flat, and Walker asked if I’d be around after he finished for the day. There’s no chance I could say no while he trailed kisses down my neck as he asked—it was pure extortion, and I happily volunteered as tribute to guarantee a few more seconds of his mouth on me.
To pass the time, I spent the afternoon at the cottage with Briar and Caleb. We fed the kittens and played with Ziggy, Caleb’s fainting goat. He also roped me into losing several rounds of Candy Land. The kid is a pro. He even had the audacity to laugh when I got stuck in the gumdrop forest for the third time in a row. I’m seriously considering drafting a formal complaint with Candy Land HQ for the emotional torment the game has inflicted.
As the afternoon eases into early evening, Walker texts me.
Walker: Where are you, pretty girl?
