But somehow Beast had managed to get three teenage boys working without starting a riot.
The youngest pointed toward a tractor.
Beast said something.
The kid's face immediately fell.
I smiled.
Manure duty.
Again.
Justice was alive and well.
A few minutes later Beast walked toward the porch.
A bottle of water in one hand.
Dust on his boots.
Sunlight across his face.
And for one ridiculous second...
I forgot how to breathe.
Which was embarrassing.
Considering I was a grown woman.
"Everything under control?" I asked.
"No."
I laughed.
"Good answer."
He sat beside me.
Close enough for my shoulder to brush his.
Neither of us moved away.
The silence felt easy.
Comfortable.
Dangerous.
Because I was starting to like it.
Way too much.
Then Beast spoke.
"Why didn't you tell me?"