Page 10 of Yours To Take
“No, you’re not.” He grabs my arm as I go to spin around. “It was an accident.”
“I think you severely underestimate how embarrassing this is for me.”
“Want me to dump horse shit on you to make you feel better?” he asks.
“If it would make you feel better, then yes.”
He shakes his head. “Not really.”
I shrug a shoulder. “Besides, it probably wouldn’t help since it’s already all over my boots.”
“Horse shit?” he asks.
“Can we please stop saying that?”
I’m mortified. I can’t believe I’m even standing here having this conversation. I pay more attention when I’m mucking the stalls. Seeing as how it’s Sunday, it’s quiet and no one is around. I thought I had the place to myself.
“You’re right.” He holds out his hand. “I’m Blake.”
“Gemma Winchester.” I take his hand. Electricity zings through my arm. “You’re staying over in the Tetons cabin.”
“Should I be worried you know which cabin I’m in?” He raises a brow at me, and I realize my hand is still connected to his.
“And now I’m going to go bury myself in the field. It was nice to meet you. Please tell my family I love them.”
He barks out a laugh at me, dropping my hand. “Need some company?”
“To meet my demise?” I shake my head. “I think I can manage.”
Blake gives me a small smile. That little dimple of his pops out again. “Pity. I was hoping to have a guide for the rest of my afternoon.”
That perks my ears up. “You mean no one showed you the grounds?”
He gives a casual shrug. “No. I didn’t take them up on it. I wanted to explore on my own.”
“Note to self—don’t let the guests decline the tours, otherwise they’ll end up in covered in crap.”
He holds his arms out wide. “So you work here then?”
I point to the wheelbarrow that’s still on its side. “What gave it away?”
“Right.” Blake’s laugh is awkward. “Seems pretty obvious now that I say it.”
“I’m glad you think so.” My laugh is nervous. “I probably should get going. Finish out the last of the stalls before the group comes back.”
“You want help?”
“God, no!” Based on his reaction, my face must show my shock. “I mean, no. You’re a guest. I can manage.”
“Thank you for not taking me up on that.” He rubs a finger over his eyebrow. He looks slightly nervous, which makes my nerves quiet down.
“Then why did you offer?” I smile at him.
“Seemed like the polite thing to do. I honestly have no idea what I’d be doing.”
“We save that for your second visit to the ranch.”
Shoving his hands in his pockets, he takes a step back. “I guess that means I’ll have to come back for a return visit.”
