I lift my finger. “Ahh, I think your father and brothers do that.”
She gasps. “You ass. I work with the horses, I maintain the pastures, I can fix a fucking fence better than those three put together. I may not doallthe things, but I’m a contributing member of it.”
“I never said you don’t contribute, but Iruna ranch. I’m in charge of everything that happens.”
Lark huffs. “Well, Mister Responsibility, where are you now? Huh?Dereliction of dutyif you need a term for what this little outing is.”
I fight back a grin. “I gave all the instructions I needed to before I came out here. What about you, Miss I-Run-a-Ranch-and-I’m-Doing-It-All? Did you make sure everyone was set before taking off on your horse?”
She glares at me.
I smile.
Then she laughs and slaps my arm playfully. “See, another reason. You like to push my buttons.”
I’d like to push her to the soft grass and kiss her breathless.
Yeah, I’m doing a bang-up job here.
“And you have an inflated ego.”
“I do not!” Lark says with frustration in her voice. “I swear, you’re trying to make me hate you.”
If only it were that easy. “Is it working?”
She slumps her shoulders a little. “No. Okay, back to the list. I would never want to date a man my family hates.”
“I would never want to be around your family,” I tell her.
“You know they’re very lovely people. Everyone likes them—except you Stones.”
I let that go. I’m not about to tell her what fucking pricks her brothers are. I know how that’ll go. One time Maverick, her brother they don’t even seem to acknowledge, tried to talk shit about me and Fallon decked him. I was very proud. It’s one thing to talk about your own family, pointing out all their many, many flaws, but it’s completely different when someone on the outside does.
“And you feel differently about my family?” I ask.
She sighs. “No, but…well, I think you guys hate us more than we hate you.” Lark pauses. “I take that back. My brothers are pretty big assholes about your family. Momma and I are the most levelheaded about it.”
“I’m pretty sure my father would love nothing more than to see you all leave town.”
“I bet he would.”
“Okay, my turn. I have a kid to think about.”
“I would never hurt Sadie,” she says with sincerity. “She’s the one Stone I actually like. She’s adorable and loves chickens. That’s clearly a sign of intelligence and grace.”
I laugh. “Yes, she’s too smart for her own good. I don’t think you’d hurt her. I just mean I have to worry about her, especially now that she’s older, and I swear that girl is able to uncover any secrets I have.”
“My turn.” She sighs heavily. “I don’t want to ever be with a cowboy again.”
“What?” I ask, completely stunned.
“You heard me. You’re all the same. Stupid, risk-taking, dumbasses who think you’re gentlemen and then break the hearts of girls everywhere. I’ve experienced that enough, thank you very much. I know your kind. You’re all smooth and make promises and then ride off into the sunset with some hussy on the back of your horse. So, I want to date a respectable man. One who will treat me like the jewel I am.”
I burst out laughing. “A jewel, huh?”
“That’s right.” She smirks and I swear, every stupid emotion I’ve buried comes to the top. Hope, dreams of a future, and a desire so deep that I don’t know if I can smother it.
I have to, though. If not just for my self-preservation, but for hers too.
