Page 9 of Yours To Take
Finding the wheelbarrow, I head to the first empty stall. This time of day, all the horses are out in the pasture. It’s starting to warm up after the last wintry weather blew through.
The work is easy enough, but as the day goes on, it starts getting warmer in the barn. By the time I get to the last stall, I’m not paying much attention as I push the wheelbarrow out of the stall.
Right into someone passing by.
My arms are tired, and I can’t steady the ominous tilt to the wheelbarrow before it goes spilling over. Right onto the person I crashed into. I rip my earbuds out, fire heating my cheeks.
I can’t believe I did that.
“Oh my God! I’m so sorry!”
“Umm, what’s on me?” The voice is silky smooth as I look at the person I bumped into.
I just dumped a wheelbarrow full of horse shit on quite possibly the hottest man I’ve ever met.
Kill me now.
“Oh God. I am so sorry!”
My face flushes even hotter when his green eyes connect with mine. It sends a chill racing through my body.
They’re the same color as the pine trees that cover our property. With short brown hair and a dimple that cuts his cheek, he’s sexy without even having to try.
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.” I pull the gloves off my hands, trying to think of a way to make this right. “I can’t believe I ran into you.”
“I promise, it’s fine. I was trying to get the lay of the land since I’ll be here for the next few weeks.”
Even better—he’s a new guest.
Great first impression I made. I smack my hand against my head. Sweat and flyaway hairs stick to my forehead.
“Could we at least dry clean your pants for you?”
“You trying to get me out of my pants?” He crosses his arms, staring down at me. An easy smile graces his face.
Is it too much for me to hope for a sinkhole to swallow me right now?
“No! I’m just trying to make this better.”
The mysterious guest rests both of his hands on my shoulders. What’s meant to be calming sets me even more on edge.
Not because it’s unwelcome, but because of the reaction it fires in me. The heat sitting in my cheeks spreads everywhere. It even makes my toes curl from his firm touch.
“While I will probably take you up on the laundry, I promise you, this is fine. I’ve been in worse situations.”
“Worse than having horse shit dumped on you?”
He laughs, and it does nothing to the butterflies that are threatening to explode out of me.
“Well, no. I’m trying to make you feel better.”
“Ugh.” I slap both hands over my eyes. Maybe if I wish for him to disappear, he will. But when I peek one eye open? He’s still here—still smiling at me as if this is how he spends an afternoon.
“I take it it’s not working?”
“No. I’m going to go bury myself out in the field.” I throw a thumb over my shoulder.
