Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
I chuckled. “Well, we can take people up Mount Rock for their overnight camping. There is a nice spot I go sometimes. A flat area by a stream. We can get the tents and supplies up by ATV earlier, and people can choose to ride up or get a lift on the ATV.”
“ATV?”
I glanced over at her. “I hate to disillusion you even more, Lady, but we often use ATVs to herd the cattle instead of horses.”
I thought she’d be upset at that statement, but instead, I received one of her wide, sunshine smiles.
“That’s great. If someone wants to experience the task, they can be a passenger and watch safely, but get the feel of being part of it.” She reached over and grabbed my arm. “How awesome!”
I patted her hand, refusing to admit how much I enjoyed it when she touched me. “Good.”
“Can we go up the mountain?”
“Soon. Today, we stick to the ranch. You’ll be sore enough later, trust me.”
We rode in silence for a while. I kept my eyes on the fence, noting any areas I thought needed fixing, although I only spotted two and even they were small, but it would be good for her to see what we did as part of being a paid client.
I pointed out a small cluster of willow trees that provided shade in one corner of the ranch. “That would make a great picnic spot.”
“It’s so pretty!”
“My grandmother planted those willows. The ones by the entrance too. They were her favorite trees.”
“Oh, I love that.”
I showed her a smaller stream you could sit by and eat lunch. Close to it was a long trail that wound around the hill for those more adventuresome. It would make a good afternoon hike.
“Could someone get lost?”
“Not if they stuck to the trail. It winds around the lowest part of the hill, and you end up back by the front of the ranch.”
She nodded. “Some signage would be helpful.” She pulled out a small notebook and scribbled in it. She’d been doing that a lot this morning. She glanced up from her book, narrowing her gaze at me.
“You’re being very helpful, Luke. Why?”
I scoffed. “I am doing exactly what my sister told me to do.”
She pursed her lips, not buying it. She looked over her shoulder. “How far are we away from the ranch house?”
I bit back my grin. “About as far as we can get.”
“I knew it! You’re trying to keep the clients away from you,” she accused.
I held up my hands. “You wanted them to see the ranch. I’m simply pointing out places you might want to utilize in your plans to keep the clients happy. While keeping them away,” I added with a wink and a smile.
For a moment, she glared, and then her lips quirked. She threw back her head, laughing. The sound was loud and clear, and I joined her. She wiped her eyes. “I have no idea what to do with you, Luke,” she admitted. “You are such a curmudgeon.”
“Am not.”
“Are so.”
“Now you’re calling me an asshole?” I deadpanned.
That earned me another bout of laughter. She was a vision, sitting on Dusty, her hair a bright cloud around her face, her smile eclipsing the sun. The urge to pull Maverick closer and lean over to kiss her became almost too much to ignore.
Then she froze, waving the air in front of her face.
“What?” I asked.
“Wasps,” she said, moving restlessly, waving her hands, her movements causing Dusty to lurch.
“Stay calm,” I said. “Walk Dusty this way. Prod your knees gently.”
But she panicked and dug in fast. Dusty took off, and I watched in horror as Sammy flew backward off the saddle, landing on the ground with a loud, painful-sounding gasp.
I was off Maverick and beside her before she could blink. “Sammy,” I pleaded, worry filling my chest. “Sammy, open your eyes.”
Her dark-brown eyes fluttered open, and she scowled. “I hate wasps.”
“How many fingers am I holding up?”
“Three, although I’m sure you’d prefer it were just the one.”
I chuckled. “Are you hurt?”
She sniffed. “Just my pride.” But then she winced as she tried to sit up.
I slid my hands under her, lifting her and carrying her over to the shaded spot by the trees. I didn’t question how right she felt in my arms. Maverick followed, and I grabbed the flask of water, hunching beside Sammy. “Drink.”
Her hand shook as she reached for the flask, and with a frown, I pulled her into my lap, touching the bottle to her mouth. She tilted her head back and sipped, her rich brown eyes locked on mine. When she was done, she pushed the flask away. “I’m fine. I was just startled.”
“Let me look.”
“I’m fine, Luke. Really.”
I ran my hands over her. “I need to make sure,” I rasped, the anxiety gripping me.