As she neared her location, she noted how dry the land appeared. The installation of an irrigation system often dictated if a farm would survive the long term or not. It was the reason she was called here now. She brought hope to farmers losing money on dry weather.
By the time she was in the heart of her old stomping grounds she was hungry and beat. She pulled in front of the town diner hoping to get a bite to eat before she showed up at her client’s home. The small brass bells jingled against the glass as she walked in, the scent of bacon and coffee assaulting her senses. Not much had changed since she remembered, as if everything was preserved from an era gone by.
A few farmers were eating in a far booth, but they only briefly glanced at her before returning to their meals.
“Can I help you, sweetheart?” The waitress leaned against the counter, watching her every move. Like any small town, strangers were a rarity.
Cindy ordered her food and then sat at the counter on one of the red vinyl, swiveling stools.
“You’re new around here.”
She shook her head. “Just here on business. I’m not staying.”
“Who you have business with?” asked the blonde waitress.
“The Granger Ranch is looking into installing an irrigation system.”
“Sounds mighty expensive.”
“Not necessarily. It saves in the long run when there aren’t any crops to write-off.” She sipped on her drink. “It’s a smart move.”
The waitress arched an eyebrow. “They know you’re a woman?”
Cindy wanted to roll her eyes but kept her composure. Too many people were in the Dark Ages when it came to women working in traditional male roles. “Doesn’t really matter. I’m here to get a job done.”
The older lady smirked, leaning over conspiratorially. “There be two brothers on that ranch. Josh and Adam. You’d be smart to keep your wits about you when you head on over. They may just eat a cute, young thing like you alive.”
Although Cindy vaguely remembered the waitress, she obviously didn’t recognize her. In the past seven years Cindy’s curves had filled out, her hair had grown long, and she carried herself with a confidence she never possessed back then.
Cindy scowled after the waitresses comment. “I work with cowboys every day. I think I can handle a couple more.”
“Sure you can, sweetheart.” She turned to grab the coffee carafe when one of the patrons called her name. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Ha! Cindy finished her meal as quickly as she could, barely enjoying it. Not only did she want to return home as soon as possible, but she didn’t want to hear any more gossip about a town she wanted to forget. One thing was for certain—she wouldn’t be falling for the sweet words and promises of a cowboy tonight.
Chapter Two
“Toss down five bales,” Josh called up to his brother. Adam dropped down one at a time from his place in the hayloft.
“Hey, look!” His brother pointed out towards the road when he stopped to wipe his brow. The sun was high in the sky, only a couple working hours left before they settled inside for the night. Josh watched the billow of dust growing closer by the second. The land was slowly turning to dust. There were already reports of two more farms losing this year’s crop due to the scorching sun and lack of rain.
“Must be the guy they sent from Oakley. Didn’t think he’d show. Come on down so we can meet him,” said Josh.
It was only mid-season, but the heat was already unbearable. Josh knew an irrigation system was the way to go even though his father had been set in his old-school ways, determined not to rely on modern techniques. Now that he was head of the household, he made the important decision which could affect the future of the family farm. His brother, Adam, was a few years younger and satisfied with the life of a rancher. It was in their blood to work the land, but there was no sense making things harder on themselves when technology was able to help and they had the money to invest.
Josh grabbed a rag off the fence post and wiped down his neck and chest, slick with clean sweat. He hoped there would be some good news coming in that navy pickup. Lord knows they needed it with the devil of a season they had last year. Any more bad news in his life and he’d crack down the middle.
When a cute blonde climbed down from the truck, he did a double take. It mustn’t be the representative from Oakley.
“Can I help you, ma’am?” he asked.
The girl had a fine figure, all the curves in the right places. Her jeans were snug, fitting deliciously over her hips, leaving little to the imagination. She wore her long, blonde hair up in a high ponytail, and when she moved, it swished back and forth.
“I’m Cindy Taylor. I was sent by Oakley Irrigation to give you a quote on a new system.”
He turned to his brother who looked as stunned as he felt. The woman was a beauty but didn’t look like she knew anything about irrigation equipment. He hoped Oakley wasn’t giving him the runaround because he was young. Just because he was only thirty-four didn’t mean he was ignorant. The entire Granger estate was left in his hands, and he took the responsibility seriously. One day he wanted his own children to take over the operation, and without proper irrigation that day may never come.
“Was the usual guy ill?” he asked.
“Usual guy?” She narrowed her eyes. “I’ve been working at Oakley for five years now. Sorry, but I’m all you’ve got.” He could hear the attitude built into her voice, warning him to back off. She was feisty, and he imagined she’d be a challenge to break.
Rather than see her as a professional, he couldn’t help but study the fullness of her lips. They had a distinct pouty shape that was rare to see on a woman outside of a magazine ad. She wore no makeup but didn’t need it.
“Mr. Granger?”
He’d been silently drooling, not realizing she’d been talking. Josh felt like a lovesick school boy rather than man. He shook his head to refocus as his brother jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow. “Sorry. You say something, darlin’?”
“Look, I’ve had a long day and an even longer drive to get here. The only other irrigation installation company is five hundred miles south, and I expect they’re booked solid. So let’s stop playing games and get down to business, shall we?”
His brother snickered, but he refused to join in and get blasted by the little siren.
“You look familiar,” he said. Surely he would remember such a beautiful woman. Her eyes were a vivid blue, her hair the color of summer wheat under the midday sun.
“I can’t see why. Now where did you need irrigation equipment?”
Just business. Josh would have to get his thoughts out of the gutter if he wanted to save his crops. Why couldn’t Oakley have sent a man in her place? Cindy was already proving to be a tempting distraction. She walked ahead of them, surveying the area. Her ass swayed back and forth as if she walked down a runway. He imagined she had no idea just how gorgeous she was, which made her even more appealing in his eyes. There was nothing more unattractive than a woman who was full of herself.
“You have a large operation here,” she said. “Will I be doing business with you or your father?”
“Our daddy passed away two years ago,” he said. “It’s just me and my brother now.”
She whirled around, nearly losing her footing. “Your father’s dead? Mr. Granger?”
“You knew him?” He saw genuine sorrow in her eyes, the blue glistening like a crystalline lake.
Cindy shrugged. “It was a long time ago. I’m sorry for your loss.” She took a breath, effectively shutting down her budding emotions. “You’ll have to show me which fields need the most water. I’ll need to see your well and any rivers or streams cutting across your land.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He pointed to the barn. This woman was all business. If he wanted to make an impression, he’d have to work extra hard. “Adam, saddle up the chestnut mare for Ms. Taylor, will you?” Then he turned to her. “You can ride, no?” he asked with a c
hallenge in his tone. Two could play her game. He’d never met a perfect human being yet, and he doubted Cindy Taylor was the first.
“I can outride any cowboy. Just worry about keeping up.”
He couldn’t help but smile. This spitfire was his type of woman. He’d love to bring her down a peg or two, hear her beg for his cock. She may be in charge in her cowgirl boots, but once the clothes came off, Josh liked to be in control. He’d have a slight thing like her submitting the first night alone with him. In fact, with each passing minute it became his obsession.
“Get any kinky ideas out of your head, brother,” said Adam as they watched her wander to the rear of the house. “She’s off-limits.”
“Who says?”
“You heard her. The next company is booked solid. We need her, so keep your dick in your pants.”
He gave Adam a playful shove. “Just get the damned horses.”
Cindy Taylor. Why did the name sound so familiar? She knew his father—what was he missing? It would come to him eventually.
He joined the blonde in the clearing out back. The land was breathtaking, reaching all the way to the horizon—acre after acre of golden wheat, the wind passing along it like an ocean wave. He loved this land. It was more than earth and seed. It was his family’s legacy. With their mother and father passed on, it was up to them, up to him, to keep the memories alive.
“It’ll be a big project if you decide to go through with it.”
“I don’t have much choice,” he said. “This is the third consecutive season with record high temperatures. I know too many ranchers that lost their farms due to the drought last year. I never want that man to be me.”
She nodded thoughtfully, looking out into the great beyond. “That’s what I’m here for.”
Adam came with his stallion and the mare, both saddled and bridled. “You sure you’re okay to ride?” Josh asked.
“This isn’t my first rodeo.” She grabbed the reins, but rather than hoist herself up into the saddle, she walked around to the opposite side of the horse first. Then she lifted her foot into the stirrup and mounted the mare.
Josh placed one boot into a stirrup then signaled for his horse to move before settling in his saddle. He wanted Cindy to see just how capable he was as a rider. She’d be so impressed with him by the end of the visit she’d be begging him to fuck her. At least that was his plan.
“Bring me to the river first. I need to see the source water,” she said. Josh’s stallion was restless, likely sensing his array of emotions around the new girl. If the horse didn’t smarten up soon, it would make a fool of Josh.
The land they had to travel was vast. He brought the horses up to a full gallop, curious to see if Cindy could keep up. She could. When he’d glance back on occasion, he noticed her hair band had slipped out. Her long waves of blonde hair floated freely behind her. She was fucking gorgeous, and all he could concentrate on was bedding her. He supposed that was what he got for denying himself so long. The past couple years offered little free time since he had the full responsibility of the ranch left in his lap.
They finally slowed down before nearing the river. The horses snorted and stomped, following the direction of the water. “So, are you married? Did your husband have dealings with my father?”
“No, I’m not married.” Excellent.
“Did you sell the Richmond brothers their system?”
“No.”
Why on earth did he feel he’d met her before, then? And if she wasn’t married, why so icy?
She slipped down from the horse and led it to the water’s edge. “How far does it reach?”
“It curves before hitting our northernmost fields. Is that going to be a problem?”
“We’ll just need more pipe.” She wouldn’t look him in the eyes, too entranced with whatever calculations she was mentally tallying. “It’s the slope that will be the biggest issue.”
“But it can be done?”
Now she looked at him. Cindy stared at him as if he’d grown a second head. “Of course it can be done. Anything can be accomplished if a person sets their mind to it.”
“Wise words to live by,” he said as he sat on the grassy bank. “Join me for a few minutes.”
She shook her head. “I’ve seen what I needed to see. Twilight will be here before we know it, and I have a long trip home.”
“Then stay,” he said. Their ranch had five bedrooms, only two being used by him and Adam. There was no sense of the girl driving for hours in the pitch black. He imagined she’d need to do more concrete calculations anyway.
“Stay?”
“We have plenty of room. Promise we’ll be perfect gentlemen.” He may want her, but he’d never force himself on a woman. He may not have listened to a lot of what his daddy said, but he did teach him how to respect the fairer sex.
She scoffed. “I don’t make a habit of spending the night at client’s homes. Thank you for the offer though.”
Josh leaned back on his elbows, savoring the last rays of sunshine. He took a deep, cleansing breath. The blonde visitor was nice to look at but obviously not interested in him. His father had wanted him to find a wife the last few years of his life, as if he knew he wasn’t going to be around much longer. It made sense—without a woman there would be no future generations, no love, and no house to call a home. He’d be a workhorse and nothing more.
But he was terrified of love. It was a fickle bitch that came and went as it pleased. His father had remained loyal to their mother even after death, often crying out in the fields when he thought his sons had gone into town. Cancer had taken his wife, Josh’s mother, but more than that. It stole his father’s zest for life, the spark in his step. So the idea of giving himself to a woman—body, mind, and soul—was a terrifying prospect. What if she died? What if he somehow lost her and couldn’t pull himself together again like his father?
“I didn’t ask you to make it a habit, Ms. Taylor. It’s just awful late, and I’m sure you need to do more than view my stream to fully prepare my price quote.”
“I can come back in the morning. Driving doesn’t bother me.”
He watched her pace the area like a nervous doe. Her looks and actions didn’t match. On the outside, she was a stunning specimen of a woman. But she acted like a schoolgirl uncomfortable around men, completely innocent. It was an alluring combination.
“You’re obviously not from around these parts, Ms. Taylor. You wouldn’t want to be out after dark on these back roads.” He may have sounded a bit more foreboding than necessary, but he wanted her to stay. There was a mysterious air to Cindy that he wanted to unravel. He patted the ground beside him again.
This time she obliged him. She lowered down awkwardly, as if she’d sprained something recently.
“You all right?” he asked.
She jerked her head toward him, a scowl marring her pretty features. “Of course I’m all right,” she snapped. He raised his hands in surrender and kept his mouth shut. Once she was settled in beside him on the bank, he kept looking straight ahead. This was Josh’s favorite time of day—everything quiet and peaceful, even the birds paying homage to the streaks of color beginning to paint the horizon. He’d often come out here alone, just to think. Since his father died, he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and there were days he was tempted to give up.
“The forest breaks up our view back home…not like here.” Her tone had changed, her hackles apparently put on standby.
“It’s something else. One of God’s great miracles. Have you ever seen a prairie fire?” He referred to the rare red sunsets when the sky would blaze in a spectacular display.
“When I was younger.”
So she was a farm girl. The only Taylors he’d known had up and moved out of town about seven years ago when a drought drove them off their land. Their property still sat abandoned after being repossessed by the bank.
As the sky darkened and the array of colors deepened—red, orange, pink—he shifted t
o his side. The tinted light gave Cindy’s hair a luminescent quality. She looked like an angel with her blonde hair hugging her like a shawl. “You can stay in one of the spare rooms. Adam already has stew slow-cooking on the stove.” It was final. He wouldn’t let her start the long drive home now. His daddy taught him better manners. He just hoped he could remain a gentleman.
Chapter Three
Cindy felt torn. She was thrilled that Josh and his brother didn’t recognize her. Seven years had passed since she’d left town for the last time, and she hadn’t known the Granger family too well. Josh’s father had been a good man, offering her parents assistance when they lost everything. Hearing he had passed away clenched her heart in a tight grip, the icy tendrils of loss reaching deep. It reminded her how delicate life was, and how lost she’d be once her own parents weren’t around anymore.
Seeing Josh Granger again had affected her stronger than she’d expected. She’d had a crush on him like just about every other girl in town. Now he was a man. His face had a more appealing, mature quality. His muscles were developed and thick. Josh didn’t even slip on a T-shirt when she’d pulled up, and he was a distraction. She tried to avert her eyes, but it was difficult when his skin was bronzed and toned to perfection. He had a large tattoo over his left pec, but she dare not stare long enough to study it.
“You’re not one of those vegetarians, are you?”
“No. Why?”
“You don’t seem too excited about Adam’s stew.”
She chuckled, feeling surprisingly at ease next to Josh. The odd cricket chirped, and soon the night would be transformed by the loud drone of the insects. They were her lullaby at night. She’d leave her window open an inch and allow nature’s music to carry her off to sleep. Even though she’d been forced to leave her home town to start fresh, she could never live in a city. Cindy was a country girl at heart and always would be.
The Reluctant Virgin [Ride 'em Hard 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 2
