Page 43 of Home to the Cowboy

“Breathtaking.” June sighed as she took her bag from the car. This wasn’t her home. She was merely visiting.

*

“Well, ain’t that a sight for sore eyes,” Becket drawled. They were side by side on their horses as they finally managed to settle down a particular ornery bull. It had been one of those days where every hand on the ranch was needed. Both Becket and Willow had pitched in to help.

Dylan had been so preoccupied all day he hadn’t been paying attention to what was going on around them. Not having slept properly for two nights in a row probably had something to do with it as well.

“What?” he asked as he looked up. That was when he noticed the two women near the fence. Like Ellie, the other woman was also wearing cowboy boots and a hat. His heart kicked up a beat. If he wasn’t mistaken the lady was his June.

He frowned. Only his June was talking to his brother.

Somewhere during the day, he’d seen her text telling him Ellie would pick her up. There simply hadn’t been time to answer. He couldn’t believe she’d actually ventured out of the ranch house. She had city girl written all over her.

Dylan quickly got off his horse and with his hand on the bridle, moved toward the fence. June had literally been on his mind all day while they’d been checking bulls.

As he approached the fence, both she and Carson looked up.

“Thanks,” Carson said to June, tipping his hat. “I’m definitely interested, thank you. We should talk.” With a grin, he left.

“Hi.” June smiled, putting her hand on the fence.

“Hey you.” Unable to resist touching her, he grabbed her hand. “I didn’t know you’d be visiting the horses. You should’ve told me.”

“You’re pretty impressive, cowboy,” she teased. “It was fascinating watching you guys work. And you—it’s so obvious you love what you do. Is someone the boss or how does it work?”

Smiling, he looked back at the other cowboys. “Ranching’s in the blood I suppose, and yeah, I love this. Not one day is the same. We manage the ranch together with Hayden and Hunter. Cooper, Willow, and Becket help out during busy times. Hayden is the grazing expert whereas Carson and I focus on seedstock production and the breeding program.”

“There’s a breeding program?”

“Yes, we use hair samples, DNA, and testing to determine which bull should try and mate with each cow.”

“Shame, how unromantic.” She chuckled.

Laughing, he touched her face. “They don’t mind. So what did Carson want?”

“I’ve seen his photographs and wanted to talk to him about publishing his work.”

Behind him someone called out. He had work to do.

“I … I have to go, I’ll see you later?”

Smiling radiantly, she nodded.

Grinning like an idiot, he got back on his horse to finish the work of the day. When he glanced over his shoulder minutes later, they were gone. Knowing she’d be here, on the ranch at the end of this long day, was giving him new energy. It was only for today, though, he shouldn’t forget that.

Sighing, he tried to concentrate on the task at hand. The bulls were bellowing at each other across pastures, warning the other guys to stay away from their cows.

Shaking his head, Dylan grinned. Things weren’t so different where humans were concerned. He’d be ready to bellow himself if any other man so much as wanted to lay a hand on June.

June was leaving one of these days, a little voice reminded him. Whatever this was between them, was temporary. Besides, he didn’t have anything to offer a city girl. She might enjoy a day out on a ranch, but as she’d already said, her life was in Seattle.

*

June was laying the table when Becket returned home on Wednesday evening. Wanting to give him and Ellie some privacy, she returned to her room. She also wanted to get her phone out to check the notes she’d made to discuss with Becket about his next project.

Her phone rang.

It was Dylan. Her heart kicked up a beat, the butterflies stirred.