Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
JB nodded toward the laptop he had sitting on the desk near the table. “I keep records on that thing, maintain a website for us, so I do some computer work. And like I said, you’re welcome to set up there. I can work on that laptop anywhere, and I’ve got another computer in my office.”
“Thanks. I will.” Cole took a swallow of cold beer and returned to the fantastic steak.
They were quiet for a few moments while they ate, and Cole took that time to covertly watch JB. He seemed like a really nice guy.
JB cleared his throat. “What do you do for fun, Cole?”
Cole shrugged. “I like my work so much, it is my fun. What about you?”
“Swim in the lake. We also have some Jet Skis that are a blast. Take out the boat and fish. I’ll have to take you out while you’re here.”
“Must be nice having a lake like this on your property.” Cole took another draw of his beer. It was good and cold, pairing well with the steak.
“Definitely. You like to swim?”
Cole nodded. “I do. Been a while, though, and I didn’t bring any swim trunks.”
“Well, that’s the beauty of a private lake.” JB winked. “You don’t need them.”
For some reason, the thought of swimming naked with JB popped into his mind, and heat crawled up the back of his neck. He wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like he hadn’t gone skinny-dipping with people before. But for some reason, the thought of JB naked, of being naked with JB, made him feel a bit warm. He swallowed some cold beer to cool himself off.
“I have ice cream, if you want some dessert,” JB said as he got up to take their plates into the kitchen.
“I’m full. Pleasantly so. Seriously, that was the best steak I’ve ever had.”
“Nothing but the finest home-raised cattle here, so we have access to the best.”
Cole went into the kitchen to help JB clean up. It didn’t take long since most of the food had been prepared on the grill. JB grabbed them a couple more beers and they walked into the living area. Cole settled deep into the surprisingly comfortable cushions of the gray couch and popped the top on his beer.
Of course, he was tongue-tied as usual. Their conversation at dinner had flowed easier than he was used to, so to be searching for a topic brought him to familiar ground. He’d never been all that good with conversation.
JB sighed and propped his socked feet on the small coffee table.
Cole cleared his throat. “Don’t let me keep you from what you usually do in the evenings. I can give you some space.”
JB grinned at him and lifted his beer to his mouth. He took a long swallow and sighed again. “You’re lookin’ at my usual evening. Sometimes, I watch a little television. But I’m enjoying the company. I told Rowe I’d like having you here, and I meant it.”
“Feel free to put me to work. I don’t want to be a mooch. Is there anything I can help with on the ranch?”
JB’s chuckle was deep and rumbly. “You might wish you hadn’t offered. There’s always a lot to do. How about I take you on a ride around the place tomorrow? We’ll use the horses. A real, old-fashioned ride around the property.”
Unease twisted in his stomach at the idea of getting up on a horse, but he was game to try. “I’d like that. But mostly I’ll be staying out of your hair once I set up my equipment. I have plenty of work to do.”
“Well, you can’t sit around too much. You’ll see. The ranch will suck you in. There’s a beauty to the land that sings to the soul. You won’t be immune.”
He certainly did find it beautiful. Still, he much preferred city living. Once the newness wore off, he’d be missing Cincinnati. But for now, he relaxed and enjoyed JB’s company. He liked the man and found it easy to be in his presence despite his usual search for topics of conversation. “So, what does the JB stand for?”
JB gave him a narrow-eyed look. “That’s a secret I’ll carry to my grave.”
“Justin Bieber?”
He got another warm chuckle. “Nope, and you’ll never guess, so don’t bother trying.”
“Jim Bob?”
JB blinked at him. “I’d like to think my parents were more original than that.”
“I like a good challenge.”
“Guess away then.”
“I’ll think on it.” Cole stretched one arm out on the back of the couch and took another swallow of his beer. He’d have to do a search on J and B names, really dig in. The man intrigued him, and his nature was too inquisitive not to explore the reason why.
Chapter Five
Cole shuffled into the kitchen, shoving some damp hair out of his eyes as he looked for coffee. Thank God he was awake enough to remember that he couldn’t wander into the kitchen wearing only his boxers. The bed might have been comfortable, but it was clearly not his own. He was a guest, sharing this house with JB. He could at least act like a respectful guest and grab a shower before shambling around the place in search of caffeine.