Jasper glanced at his coffee, regarding it suspiciously.
“Kidding! Gah, you guys are all so serious.” She threw a hand up in irritation and walked toward the back door. “Are you going to show me what we need to get started with, or what?”
Jasper regarded her for a moment then took a long sip of coffee, drawing it out just to ruffle her feathers. It worked, and her dark brown eyes narrowed before she arched a dark brow.
“Sometime today.”
Jasper just nodded, taking slow steps to the door, chuckling when she growled lowly and walked outside, her steps overly loud as if conveying her irritation.
He fought a chuckle, watching her stomp off toward the barn. Well, this is shaping up to be far more fun than I expected.
Just to piss her off, he headed for his truck. She was opening the barn door when the truck’s engine roared to life, and she gave a little jump as if the noise startled her. He drove down the gravel road toward the barn and reached over, opening the passenger door. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go.”
Kessed glared then closed the barn door and hopped in the truck. “You could have told me.”
“And miss the cute little stomp-off you did? Never.”
“I didn’t stomp off.” She narrowed her eyes.
He started down the dirt road that led behind the house and along the property. “Sure.”
Kessed sighed. “If I did, it was just because you were being extremely slow.”
“It was fun.”
Her eyes shot to his face. “You did that on purpose.”
“Yes.”
“Why?” she demanded.
“It amuses me,” he answered, meeting her gaze for a moment, grinning.
“Jackass,” she muttered under her breath.
“Pain in the ass.” Jasper coughed the words, earning another glare.
They went over the bumpy and overgrown road, his truck handling the rough terrain well. “Over there is one of the areas that Cyler said needed repair.” Jasper drove a few feet closer then put the truck in park, not bothering to turn it off as he slid from the driver’s seat and walked around the front.
Kessed followed, her tennis shoes no match for the cheatgrass and sagebrush. She hissed a few times, probably from the weeds poking through, but Jasper was focused on the fence line.
“Well, I guess it could be worse.”
“That only means it could be a lot better,” Kessed said and walked up beside him. She reached down and pulled the prickly seeds from her shoes.
“Observant.”
“I try.” She stood up and gave him a wink.
He smiled. “This barbwire needs to be replaced… and these fence posts”—he rocked the wooden post in its hole, noting how loose it was—“need to be reinforced, if not completely replaced as well. The question is how much of the ranch is in this condition.” Jasper asked the question mostly to himself.
“Well, I guess we’re going to be driving around a lot today.” Kessed took a deep breath and marched toward the truck.
“Do you have to work later?” Jasper asked, heading back to the truck as well.
She glanced over her shoulder. “Nope. They actually cut back my hours a bit, so I’m free for the next three days. I’ll work all weekend—which sucks—but a job is a job.” She shrugged and climbed into the truck.
Jasper nodded, and soon they were driving down the road once again. Kessed was a dangerous distraction, and the prospect of spending the whole day with her was both exciting and alarming. Even as he tried to keep his eyes on the road or the fence line, searching for weaknesses, out of the corner of his eye he’d see her tuck a wisp of hair behind her ear or watch her face light up in a smile.
“Are you usually this quiet?” Kessed asked a few minutes into their journey.
“Nope,” Jasper answered, keeping his eyes trained on the road, then the fence, then back to the road.
“So, I’m just lucky?” Kessed teased.
If he didn’t know better, he might have thought she was flirting.
Good thing he knew better.
“Yup.”
She sighed. “One-word answers are your favorite, huh?”
“Yup.”
“Gah! You’re killing me!” Kessed leaned her head back against the seat.
Jasper chuckled. “You’re easy to mess with.”
“I’m impatient.”
“That too.”
“Well, you’re irritating. And silent.”
“Odd how you put those two together.”
“Odd how you make it work!”
Jasper nodded, enjoying the banter, the push and pull, the give and take of a worthy sparring partner. “You’re something else, Kessed. But you’re fun.” He gave her a quick smile then pulled over slightly and left the truck to check on another length of fence.
The passenger door shut, and soon Kessed was marching beside him. “Glad I can entertain you,” she remarked.
“You do. But it’s not just that.” He shrugged then bent down, studying the rotting fencepost. “We’ll need to replace the ones like this with the T-posts.”
“T-posts?” Kessed echoed.
“Yeah, the metal posts. They’ll be stronger and easier to install than the wood ones. They aren’t as rustic, but I’m pretty sure Cyler isn’t into the aesthetic appeal of the fence line.” He gave a short laugh.
“Laken might,” Kessed dared, arching a brow.
“If Cyler takes Laken out this far, they won’t be looking at the fenceposts, if you know what I mean.” He dusted off his hands from the dirty wood and walked back to the truck.
“You can keep comments like those to yourself!” Kessed called out as he got back in the truck.
He chuckled, waiting for her to climb in. “And here I thought you wanted me to talk more.”
“I changed my mind.”
“You’re a woman. I guess it’s your prerogative.”
“Damn straight it is,” she muttered, and he snickered in response.
Jasper searched for a place to turn the truck around, and soon they were heading back to the ranch. “I’m going to go check the north side. Do you want to come with me or do you have something else you need to do?” he asked as the house appeared on the horizon.
“Getting tired of my sparkling conversation?” Kessed teased with a smile.
“Nope.”
“Then I guess I’ll tag along.”
“Would you mind tallying a few things for me?” He picked up his phone and quickly entered the passcode. “Can you open the note app and make a list for me?”
Kessed took his cell and tilted her head, waiting. “Ready when you are.”
“T-posts, fifty.” He narrowed his eyes as he thought. “Next, barbwire. I’ll need at least a thousand feet.”
“Whoa,” Kessed remarked as her fingers tapped.
“Remember, it’s not just one line. It’s two. I’ve got to double everything. The last thing Cyler wants is to come home to his cattle free-ranging outside the range.”
“Noted.” Kessed nodded. “Next?”
“Gloves, boots, and nails.”
“Got it. What kind of boots?”
He glanced over to her, watching her eyes flicker from his boots and back to his face. “Women’s.”
He stifled a grin at her confused expression.
“Huh, I didn’t take you as playing for that team.” She blinked.
“I don’t. The boots are for you, which reminds me…. What size?”
Her confused expression deepened. “Me?”
“You’re like a magnet for cheatgrass in those shoes. And if you’re going to help out, like you said you would, then you’re going to need some boots.”
“What if I already have boots?”
“Then
you should have worn them.”
“Well—”
“Do you have boots?” Jasper asked.
“No.”
“Then why are we having this conversation?”
“Because… you just assumed. You didn’t ask.”
Jasper paused, both seeing her point and disregarding it at the same time. “Do you have gloves?”
“Snow gloves?” Kessed asked, her tone hopeful.
Jasper closed his eyes for a moment, shaking his head. “I’ll take that as a no.” He turned down the north road and continued searching the fence line.
“What kind of gloves?”
“Work gloves.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, your hands are used to coffee, not rusty barbwire.”
“There’s nothing wrong with coffee,” Kessed replied defensively.
“I don’t remember mentioning that there was.” Jasper turned to her, putting the truck back in park.
“You implied it.”
“You’re oversensitive. The world needs coffee, woman. Be proud of your service to mankind.” He gave her a serious nod.
“You’re patronizing me.” She glared.
“Nope. Coffee is proof God loves us.” He nodded once and left the truck, starting toward the fence.
If his memory served correctly, there was a creek that flowed through the pasture just ahead. It would be low this time of year, but he wanted to make sure it was still a viable source of water for the cattle. Cyler had mentioned it, but it needed to be double-checked.
As before, soon Kessed was beside him, and they walked up the road a bit. Jasper paused here and there, studying the condition of the wire. “I’m thinking this side is in better shape than the west. That’s good.”
“Do you think we can get it done in time?” Kessed asked, the first sign of uncertainty in her tone.
Jasper regarded her. “It will be close, but I think we’ll manage.”
“But what about your vet stuff?” Kessed asked, her dark eyes searching.
“I’ll just rearrange things a bit. It won’t be easy, but all of it needs to get done. I’ll find the time.” He shrugged, closing the conversation, and walked toward the sound of the water.
“Why?”
Jasper turned, noticing that Kessed hadn’t followed him, but stood with her arms crossed. “Why what?”
She stepped toward him. “Why put your own career on hold to take care of someone you knew from high school?”
Jasper slipped his hands in his pockets. “Why not?”
“Because it’s…” She paused, biting her lip as she thought.
Jasper watched with a hungry interest that he forced down as he focused on his words. “Sometimes, when you help someone out, it’s not a reflection of their character, but your own. But in this case, Cyler’s a good man—always has been. He asked me for help, he’s paying me to help, and I had volunteered long before I knew this was going to be an issue. I’m not backing out now just because it’s an inconvenience. Sometimes that’s just the breaks. You work with it, you get it done, and you move on.”
Kessed glanced to the road.
“If we’re being honest… why are you here? You said yourself you don’t know anything about this, yet here you are, walking through the prickly grass, tolerating my company, and planning to help out tomorrow as well. Why?”
Kessed sighed. “I see your point.”
Jasper nodded then turned back to the creek.
“So, do you need me to remember anything else?” Kessed asked.
“Just those things for now.”
“I’m a size eight,” she remarked as she stood beside him, looking across the vacant pasture, the wind gently blowing the rye grass. The water bubbled through the pasture, making a lazy carving in the basalt and dirt.
“Maybe you need to write that part down.” Jasper slid a glance to her, a slight grin teasing his lips.
“And here I thought I was done.”
“No rest for the wicked.” Jasper winked, then headed back to the truck.
“And if I get boots, I want red ones.” Kessed spoke from behind.
Jasper paused, turning to face her. “Red?”
“Yup.”
“Anything else while we’re being specific?” Jasper arched a brow.
“Nope. Just red. Size eight.”
“And I’m sure you’re writing that down.”
“Of course. It’s my job.”
“Right.” Jasper wiped his hand down his face. “Let’s get going.”
“They do have red cowboy boots, right?”
Kessed’s question followed him to the cab. He waited till she got in before answering.
“Yes. I think. Honestly, I’ve never bought red ones. I’ll ask Harper.” He put the truck in gear and headed back toward the ranch.
“Harper?” He felt Kessed’s gaze on his face, but he ignored it, hoping to tease her a bit.
“Yeah, she’ll know. She was a rodeo queen in high school, and ever since then, she’s been a fan of whatever bling she can add to her gear.”
“Oh.”
He could see from the corner of his eye that Kessed glanced away and stiffened.
“Girlfriend?”
As if you’d care? “Sister,” he answered, flickering his eyes to study her face.
“Oh.” She shrugged, as if not concerned, when her previous posture had suggested the opposite.
“What about you?” Jasper asked, using the topic to learn a bit more about the woman beside him.
“What about me?” She crossed her arms, almost defensively.
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” he asked.
Her brow furrowed a moment before he glanced back to the road.
“Oh, no, actually.”
“What did you think I was going to ask?” He could guess, but wanted to hear her say it.
“If I had a boyfriend, which you know the answer to.”
“I suppose I do.”
“Gah, could this be more awkward?” She sighed and turned toward the window.
“I’m not feeling awkward.”
“Yeah, well, you should.”
“Why?”
“Because, well… the wedding… and…”
He could see that beneath her olive-toned skin, she was burning red. He bit back a grin and debated whether to push her further or take pity.
He decided to push. “Sterling—that’s his name, right?”
“Seriously, you even remember his name. I was wrong. It can totally get more awkward.” She covered her face with her hands, groaning.
“Happy to do what I can.”
“Can I just walk home?” she asked, unveiling her eyes.
“Nope. This is way too much fun.”
“You’re such an ass!”
“Me? Me?” Jasper turned to her, shocked.
“Yes, you! Because, because… gah! Okay. Never mind.”
“Whatever you want,” Jasper conceded, holding back a grin at her obvious discomfort.
“It doesn’t matter anyway. I’m completely nonexistent to him. Well, so maybe not nonexistent, but not enough. And you know what? That really sucks.” She sighed.
Jasper opened his mouth then closed it. Oddly enough, he knew what she meant. It did suck. The irony was that he felt that way because of her… and she felt that way because of another.
But what could he say?
He simply pulled up next to the house, and before he could think of anything, Kessed was out of the truck and stomping toward the house.
“Well, that could have gone worse.”
And it certainly could have gone better…. He finished the thought and turned the truck around and down the drive. Kessed didn’t need him pestering her further. She needed
time, and he could give her that. He had a list, and belatedly, he glanced to the passenger side seat and felt a mixture of relief and disappointment when he saw his phone waiting for him. Relief, because then he wouldn’t forget anything he needed, but disappointment, too, because that took away his excuse to ask Kessed for it. Oh well, he’d find a reason soon enough.
A smile spread across his face, and he picked up his phone.
After dialing the number, he smirked when his sister answered.
“Hey, darling.’ So, I need your help….”
CHAPTER FOUR
Kessed stretched her toes, twisting her ankles as she slowly woke up. Sunlight was streaming through her window, and a smile teased her lips, till she remembered.
Today, she was supposed to help Jasper.
Damn.
It wasn’t that she didn’t like him…. It was that… well, he liked her. At least she thought he did.
At least that was the impression she’d gotten. Am I wrong? Am I making this more than it should be?
THIS was why she wasn’t excited about spending the day with him! He was impossible to read and knew way more about her than she knew about him—putting her at a distinct disadvantage. Yesterday had been pretty relaxed until he’d brought up Sterling’s name.
How in the hell does he even remember it?
It was insane, yet there it was, the elephant in the room that she carried around with her whenever she was with Jasper.
And based on her volunteering yesterday, she was going to be around him a lot.
The day already sucked, and it wasn’t even 7:00 a.m.
Reluctantly, Kessed slipped from the guestroom on the ranch and padded down the hall toward the kitchen, the heavenly scent of brewing coffee calling to her before she’d even crossed over the threshold. “At least you’re always predictable,” Kessed mumbled as she poured herself a cup.
The steam swirled around her face, and she took a small sip before her lips bent into a smile. After another tentative sip, Kessed walked to the breakfast nook, studying the landscape through the wide picture window. The sun was fully up, casting a warm glow across the autumn-kissed terrain. Yet, her mind wandered back to Jasper. She glanced to the wall clock and guessed that he’d be there shortly. The clock in the hall chimed seven, and she took a deep breath and padded to the bathroom.
The Courage of a Cowboy Page 3
