“I have to say,” he said as he turned one page, then another, slowly. “These are the most well-documented goats in Oklahoma. Your record-keeping is exceptional.” He glanced my way, his dark brown eyes warm. My face heated instantly. Thatmade him smile in a way that caused me to feel tingly in places that shouldn’t be tingling right now. “But I’ve come to expect this. Your care of these animals is above par. The barn is always spotless, and the goats are well fed, clean, and happy as popcorn in a pot.”
“Thanks. I like to make sure they’re all taken care of. They’re special. I added a small note to each of the new doelings with their tattoo numbers and hoof trimming. On the back—” I reached over to turn the page, my fingers brushing his, which made my cheeks even hotter. I yanked my hand back. “Sorry. Did I contaminate you?”
“No, you’re good. I saw you washing your hands outside.”
“Good. I did wash them well. And changed my clothes too,” I rushed to say as he gently turned a page in the folder. “Right, so on the back there’s spaces for breeding and reproduction, which they won’t use until next fall. We’ll have to get a new buck or take them to someone with a male with a different bloodline.”
I bit down on my lip. I hated to think of selling Willy. He was a good friend and a great listener, even if he did make rubber lips at me on occasion.
“There are quite a few people with breeding bucks in the state. Keep an eye on the Boer goat boards online.”
“I will. So, do you want a blue pen or a red one? I have both.”
“Blue. I like blue. It matches your eyes.”
“Oh. Sure. Yep.” I wasn’t sure how to take his comment. Was he flirting or just telling me something I already knew? “My mom’s father had blue eyes and blond hair. Her grandmother met him when he was stationed in Italy. He was from Idaho. I think that’s why I like goats so much.”
He turned to look at me. His brows tangled in amused confusion. “Do people in Idaho have a known love for goats I’m not aware of?”
A soft wind blew through the barn windows that were left open for ventilation. Good thing, for I was overheating badly. His bold attention was unsettling but also wanted, so I wasn’t sure how to reply.
“No, I don’t think so. He was a farmer. So maybe it makes me genetically destined to be on a ranch.”
“Ah, I see. I really enjoy the way your mind works.”
“Thanks. Some people say I’m too shy or I talk in circles.”
“They just need to get you talking about goats,” he teased, his eyes sparkling with mirth. “Seriously though, your notes are immaculate. I wish my notes were this tidy. Would you be willing to come to my office once or twice a week to—”
“Yes.”
He laughed out loud. My face burned hotly. Had I fucked up? Should he be laughing? Damn it.
“Perhaps you should find out why I’m asking you to drop by. Maybe I want you to scrub the floors with a toothbrush.”
I picked up on the joke now. “My name is Ford, not Cinderella.”
“Noted.” He folded his arms over his chest, making the material of his overalls stretch tightly over his biceps. “I have a cleaning service. What I need is a secretary of sorts. Wendy, who works the desk, is great but has her hands full with scheduling and payments, shit like that. What I need is someone who can transcribe my notes then hand them off to Wendy to add to the medical files.”
“They have AI programs to do that.”
“Yeah, no, I’m trying to not use anything that will result in a water-sucking, noisy, fossil fuel-reliant data center being built anywhere in the state. I’d rather pay someone to do it for me.”
“Wow, okay, that’s cool. Sure, I’d be happy to arrange your notes.”
“Great. Stop by anytime and—”
“Tomorrow?”
He chuckled. “Such an eager man. I like it. Sure, I can be in the office unless there’s an emergency. Stop by, and I’ll give you a tour of the place. Just text first. You have my personal emergency number.”
“Okay. Yeah. I’d like that. Are there any dogs there?”
“Not generally. My focus is large animals, but if someone has a pet in a bad way, then I’d surely have them bring them in.” Willy ambled over to push on the fence with his head. I reached back automatically to rub a sweet spot between his horns. “He’s got you well trained.”
“Yeah, we’re close,” I replied as I got a little lost in his gaze. God, his eyes were pretty. Such a dark, dark brown. Nearly black.
We both turned when the barn door rattled open. My brothers filled the doorway, all in clean clothes.
