Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 22685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“In a hurry?”
“Things can go sideways quickly on a ranch, and sometimes you have to move your ass. I’ll teach you how to use the four-wheeler and gator too. If you live on a ranch, you need to know how everything works and operates. It’s for everyone’s safety, even if you don’t use some of them on a daily basis.”
“That makes sense,” I say and nod in understanding.
Devin shows me how to put Pearl back into her stall and dress her down. He hands me an apple to feed her while he goes over and takes care of his horse.
“I need to make a few calls. Why don’t we head back in?" Devin says, and I follow him out of the barn and back toward the house.
“You should put some lights up.” I say it more as an afterthought, but he perks up.
“Christmas lights?”
“Yeah, I think it would be really pretty.” His home was made for it.
“I’ve never done anything for Christmas before.”
“Really?” I guess it’s not so surprising since he’s out here on his own.
Devin’s hand touches my lower back as we go up the porch steps.
“Never felt the need to.” He shrugs, and I wonder if he spends every holiday alone.
“So you don’t do anything?”
Devin opens the back door for me, and it leads into the mud room. When I start to take off my coat he answers me.
“Nope. I let the guys off, so I’ll oversee the ranch myself and tend the animals.”
“Oh.” That sounds depressing, and I have the sudden urge to give Devin a proper Christmas.
“What about you?”
“I was supposed to go to my aunt’s because my mom is going on a girls’ cruise, but I’m not so sure about that now.” I want to ask about his family, but I don’t. He keeps saying how much he enjoys his privacy, so I decide not to poke where he doesn’t want me. We have been getting along so well today.
“That Kent’s mother?”
“Yep.” I sit down on the bench to take my boots off, but to my surprise, Devin drops down on one knee in front of me. He grabs the heel of my boot and pulls, and it slips right off. He does the same to the other one, and I smile at him. “Thank you.” We both stand, and when I unzip his coat, he doesn’t stop me. It's all so intimate, but again, it feels right. “What if I plan something for us for Christmas?”
“You mean spend it together?”
“It could be fun.” I give him a smile, trying to tempt him into it.
“All right.” He lets me take the coat off him, and I hang it on the hook next to mine. “You plan it, and I’ll get whatever you need.”
“I can do that,” I agree, but I’d really enjoy it if we did it together. “I can even decorate the house.”
“You can do anything you like. I’ll see about getting the lights hung. I don’t want you trying to do it yourself.”
I find myself leaning into him, and once more, Devin stares at my mouth. This time I don't try to get away from his kiss, and when he starts to lean down, I let my eyes fall closed.
“I’ll go make those calls,” he suddenly says and backs away from me abruptly. When I open my eyes, I see he’s practically on the other side of the room. “You should see about your stuff. My men left it in the entryway.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and they burn with embarrassment. Have I read all of our interactions wrong? I don’t get a chance to respond before Devin is already hightailing it out of the mud room and leaving me wondering what the hell just happened.
Chapter Six
DEVIN
“Hey, I need to talk to Booker,” I say into the phone as I peek out of the door of my office.
“Hey Devin! How’s it going?” Sabrina’s voice carries even through the phone, and I have to put my hand over the screen to try and muffle it.
“Good. I need to talk to Booker,” I repeat, hoping she’ll take it seriously. I had to call the house phone because he wasn’t answering his cell.
“He’s just getting out of the shower. Is everything okay?” She sounds concerned.
“Fine. All good.” I try to keep it brief, but clearly that’s not going to happen.
“I heard you brought Joy out to the ranch.”
“Yeah.” I press my lips together to keep from blurting out more.
“Is she having a good time? I know I’m missing her cinnamon rolls like crazy.”
“Yep.” My one-word answers are making her more suspicious.
“Devin, what’s going on? Is something wrong with Joy?” Her voice fluctuates between anger and concern.
“No, she’s fine. I mean, she's great.” My shoulders sag. “I’m in over my head.”
To my surprise, Sabrina lets out a small chuckle. “Booker said you’d do this, but I told him he was wrong. Damn it, now I’m going to owe him.”