“You want a ride?” Dad asks.
I shake my head. “No.” I answer a little too abruptly. “I mean, I’m good. I don’t want to have to bother you with picking me up tomorrow.”
“Okay.” He drops a kiss to my cheek. “Be safe.”
“Dad. I’m twenty-five.”
“Doesn’t mean I don’t worry about you and your brother.”
I watch him go back to their house as I throw my bag into my car. I hate lying to them, but I don’t really have an alternative.
Hey, Dad. I think I’m falling for your best friend.I can’t imagine how that would go over.
I push all thoughts of my dad out of my head as I drive to the ranch. It’s one of the perfect days that people love about Pinecrest. Bright blue skies. Sun high overhead. Tourists are crowding the sidewalks of the main drag as I pass through town. I recognize a few of them as guests of the ranch.
The drive out is easy. And quiet. I don’t pass many people as I bypass the main road to the ranch and head to the back roads that lead straight to the barn.
The fresh air that blows through the open windows helps to calm my excitement. I take the meandering road away from the busy barn to the lone house a mile or so away. Sam is standing out front in a dark T-shirt, jeans, and his cowboy hat.
Grabbing my overnight bag, I shut off the car and hop out. Sam turns to face me, a wary expression on his face.
Uh-oh.
“Hey.”
A pained look washes over his face. “Hi, darlin’.”
“Everything okay?” I ask.
Nerves bubble up that this is going to be over before it even starts.
“Apparently one of the cows got into the old barn we’re fixing up.”
“Okay.”
“I have to go out and make sure they didn’t get into anything and lock it up.”
“Is that all?” I ask.
“It might be an hour or two,” he says.
“Why don’t I go with you?”
“You don’t mind?”
I throw one arm around his shoulder and press up onto my toes. “Of course not. Getting to spend time with you is what this is all about.”
A sly grin lights up his face. “What if I asked you to muck out the stalls at the barn?”
I shrug a shoulder. “I’d do it.”
“And if I had you help clean up the bugs from the corners of the barn?”
“Don’t push it, Sam.”
He shakes his head before stealing a quick kiss. “Let’s go. The sooner we get done, the sooner we can get back here and I can make sure you’re well fed.”
“Why would I need to be well fed?” I feign ignorance, watching as he takes my bag from me and drops it inside the entryway of his house.
