The tone of Tomas’s voice told him he wasn’t going to like what he had to say.
“Go on.”
“It’s Miss Robertson.She knew she couldn’t help with the tagging because she’d just be in the way.”
Cole couldn’t hide his frustration.“Tomas?”
“She’s out in the hay field picking up the bales we cut yesterday.”
Cole shook his head in confusion.“One more time.”
“She’s in the field picking up the bales of hay by herself, and I’m afraid she’s going to get hurt, Mr.Cole.”
Cole pinched the top of his nose where an angry pain was starting to grow.“I’ll be right there.”
“Do you want me to try again to get her to stop?”Tomas asked.
“It sounds like you already have.”
“Yes, sir, twice.She just tells me not to worry, that she’s being careful.”
“No, don’t try to say anything, just try to keep an eye on her until I get there.”
“Absolutely.Thank you, Mr.Cole.”
Cole yelled for three of his ranch hands.
Thankfully, they were done with tagging, or he wouldn’t be able to pull them.They took off down the driveway in two trucks, spewing gravel.They made it to Robertson’s Ranch in record time.Cole couldn’t get the picture of one of those bales falling on her.They weighed more than her and would seriously hurt her.
Cole waved at Tomas on the way past the corral where her men were working.His heart nearly stopped when he caught sight of Victoria sitting on her bottom on a makeshift ramp and slowly pulling a bale up inch by inch.
“Goddamn woman,” Cole said through gritted teeth and a shaky voice.Fuck, he hadn’t been this pissed in years and knew she was just asking to be spanked for this.
“You and the guys finish picking up the bales in this field, take the tractor with the trailer to the barn, then head home.”
“You got it, boss.”
Cole parked his truck and got out.She continued to wrestle with the bale, oblivious that he was behind her.His mouth twitched at some of the colorful curse words she was using.
Victoria screamed when Cole walked up beside her on the trailer.
They both watched as the bale she’d just about had on the trailer slid back down to the ground.
A few other guys whom Victoria hadn’t yet met walked to the bales in the field around her.
“That’s just not fair at all,” Victoria said in disgust as one of the guys picked up the bale and then threw it to another man who had climbed on the trailer behind her.She hadn’t thought they could hear her over the motor of the tractor.A deep blush crept over her face as they all laughed.Well, everyone except Cole.He stood a few feet away with his arms crossed and a look that would cower anyone.
Everyone but her.Victoria pushed herself off the trailer to stand in front of Cole and brushed the bits of hay stuck to her bottom.She smiled brightly up at Cole.
“Hi.”Her stomach twisted when a muscle started twitching on the side of his cheek.“What’s wrong?”
“I’m torn right now.”
Her smile started to slip with the tone of his voice.
“About what?”she asked, raising her hand to shield her eyes from the sun and better see his expression.
His hands went to his hips, he narrowed his gaze on her, and he sucked in his bottom lip.She thought he looked as if he were trying to gain control.
