Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
It’s all hands on deck to get the fence done. It feels like the old days when I first started working for the Bishops. Like one big-ass ranch hand reunion with Riley, Diesel, Gavin, Grayson, Ethan, Knox, and Kane. They help dig and set posts, then run barbed wire for the fences to get it done as soon as possible.
“So your dumb ass is the one I need to thank for having to work so damn much?” Diesel asks with a smirk as Riley laughs. They’ve been coming over after their shifts and staying till nearly dusk all week.
“I guess you could say that.” I roughly pat his shoulder. “Nothin’ like some charity work to prove you’ve still got a heart.”
He grunts. “Kinda had to when Rowan threatened my balls.”
“It was this or triple bath duty.” Gavin snorts.
“I’d take that over all night potty training duty. The twins don’t wake up on their own to go to the bathroom yet.” Grayson grunts.
“So all your wives threatened ya, huh?” I bark out a laugh.
Each one of them nods. “Kaitlyn made sure of it, I suppose. She knows how to get what she wants.”
“Speakin’ of Kaitlyn…” Ethan drawls. “When are you gonna admit you two have been sneakin’ around?”
My heart races as my jaw locks in place.
“He won’t admit anything,” Kane speaks up. “Trust me. I’ve tried. The dude ain’t budgin’ with his denial but still thinks we believe him.”
“Might as well just put a fuckin’ ring on her finger at this point. Y’all are already livin’ together and screwin’. Next thing I know, you’ll be announcing she’s knocked up,” Knox blurts out, and I’ve never felt the need to punch him as much as I do right now.
I adjust my hat to take some attention away from my face as I load all the supplies we’ll need in the back of a ranch hand truck. They finally decide to pitch in after I’ve packed half of it.
Once that’s done, we continue to the next step. It’s been a while since I’ve done something as physical as building a fence, even though we use the digger to set the posts. Riley and Diesel hand-mix concrete as Gavin and Ethan add tension to the wire. It’s one of the most important steps in the process.
The fifteen acres of land that the Bishops allotted for us will be more than enough for all the good we want to do. Seeing everything fall into place has me looking forward to the future.
After one of the largest sections of the fence is complete, I see Kaitlyn’s truck in the distance. She parks on the side of the road, then steps out wearing her tan riding pants, high boots, and a shirt that hugs her in all the right places. Her blond hair is in a side braid, and it takes every bit of willpower I have not to gawk because she’s so damn gorgeous.
Quickly, I look away so her brothers don’t start shit again. If they catch me staring, their mouths will run wild and piss her off. They’re already warmed up from earlier.
I try to act indifferent and pull my attention away even when she comes over next to me, but I can’t resist wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her against my chest.
She looks up at me with a giddy smile. “Doin’ some amazin’ work out here! I’m so excited about the dedication. I was on my way to Grandma’s but wanted to stop and check in to see how y’all were doin’. Apparently, she’s going to call the local newspaper and see if they’ll come take some pictures and do a full write-up. Oh, and I have Elle and Connor on board to help us since we might be gettin’ our first horse on Friday.”
I release my hold on her but stay close. “Wow, that’s great news. We’re gonna need all the help we can get. I spoke with the game warden, and he’s gonna call me back tomorrow so we can prepare for his arrival.”
“Perfect.” Kaitlyn beams and opens her mouth to say something else, but her brothers walk up and steal her attention away. When I turn to keep working, Ethan comes over, and when I look at him, he’s glaring.
“What?”
“I thought it was bullshit and a joke to piss you off, but now I have no damn doubt about it. You’re in love with her.”
“You don’t know what you’re talkin’ about. We’re just friends, always have been.”
“Really? You don’t think I recognized the same look I used to give Harper when we were just friends. Out of every person here, I actually know what it’s like to be in love with my best friend and be too chickenshit to admit it.”
I’ve been here for so long that I almost forgot that Ethan married his best friend, Harper, after they pretended to be engaged.