Page 9 of Live, Ranch, Love

Wyatt removes his hat and wipes his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand, making his bicep flex. “Oh, yeah, I sent them home.”

My body tenses, reminding me of who I am dealing with. Of course he did. Because why would Wyatt want to make my life any easier? He made it clear yesterday that wasn’t his plan.

I take a few deep breaths, blowing out the last as calmly as possible, wondering why the universe wants me to deal with this man. I’m already a patient person, so what else is he here to teach me?

“Um, why?” I question.

Wyatt shrugs, but something dances behind his dark eyes. “There was a fence down and we needed to move some cattle. I didn’t want them getting in the way.”

“Okay, well, I really would’ve appreciated it if you’d consulted me first. You could’ve rung.”

“Hate to break it to you, Princess.” Wyatt pushes off the post and stalks closer. “But calling you up for a nice chat was the last thing on my mind when I had cattle roaming the roads.” One corner of his mouth hooks up, daring me to engage.

I suck my teeth, then take a step forward, removing the distance between us. I just know that he doesn’t think I belong here.

“Look, I get that, but this is my ranch now, and I need you to run things by me first. I need this place sold, so I don’t want anything getting behind schedule. Okay?”

Now I cross my arms and Wyatt throws me a sneer.

“Sorry, boss,” he pushes through gritted teeth, then holds his hands up. “God forbid you don’t get your money on time. Must be so hard sitting on your ass all day wondering when those thousands are gonna drop.”

four

Wyatt

Aurora’s jaw drops, shock plastering her freckled face. Redness creeps up her neck, the apples of her cheeks flushing.

Maybe that was a little harsh, but I’m too tired to play nice. I came over here to tell her to be careful because some of the cattle got out and there’s a few unaccounted for—I’m not sure someone pint-sized like her would want to come up against them.

Sunset Ranch isn’t the biggest ranch compared to some of the others around Willow Ridge, which means there’s only ever been a few of us to manage and work it, so when something like this happens, it’s all hands on deck. Me and the other ranchers have been busting our asses trying to round up the cattle, move them and fix the fence, all on top of getting our usual chores done. It was the last thing we needed given we're supposed to be moving some of the cattle this week to pastures we've leased off my friend Sawyer's family ranch—one of the largest ranches in Willow Ridge.

Aurora, on the other hand, looks like she’s spent her morning sunbathing and swimming, and still thinks she has the right to question my decisions. I have no doubt I’ll be clearing out the stables late into this evening, while she’ll probably be painting her nails or getting an early night. Nice for some, hey?

Of course I sent the contractors home. I didn’t want them getting in the way. I didn’t have the time or capacity to deal with any issues or questions they had because of everything else I was trying to manage today. It’s one day.

If Aurora worked on a ranch, she’d know that.

I have to roll my lips together to stop the mocking smile from dancing along them at the way Aurora’s crossed her arms, tipping her nose up at me to try to seem threatening. It only makes her face pinch even more.

There is something oddly entertaining about how easily I manage to get under her skin. How quickly I seem to be able to pull clouds over her sunshine, which I know is how she wants everyone to perceive her. Like when I call her Princess. I wonder how far I can push her, what might finally set her ablaze?

Call me immature, but it might be the only thing that makes having her at the ranch and dealing with the looming end of my time here partially bearable.

Crushing her arms against her chest tighter, Aurora sputters, “Is that—is that seriously what you think of me?”

I take in a deep breath, noting how Aurora watches my chest heave and release, then flicks her gaze back up to my face. If this was any other day—and any other girl—I’d give more time to consider that she might have been checking me out, but I’m too riled up.

“I think there’s a lot more to this ranch than you realise, darlin’. That it’s not just a lake to float in or a deck to film yourself rolling around on. It’s our livelihood.” I gesture behind me, trying to make this seem about more than just me, even though I know the other ranchers aren’t as pissed off about the prospect of this place selling as I am.

The freckled skin across her nose crinkles. “Well, if it’s so important to you, why don’t you buy it?”

I have to smother my face with a hand to stop my laughter barking out in harsh disbelief. If only it were that simple—but I guess everything in her life probably is. “Because, Princess, some of us don’t have trust funds to rely on and have other people to help take care of.”

Aurora’s forehead creases, a line appearing between her brows. “I don’t have a trust fund. I don’t even know what that is.”

“It’s fine. You’re right, it’s your ranch, you’re the boss. I’ll make sure to keep you updated with my every move from now on.” I shove my hat back on my head, relishing in the shadows that fall over my face. It’s too hot today. “I’m going to go get on my horse now and make sure all the cows are safe, is that okay with you?”

I wait, clasping my hands in front of me on purpose. With narrowed eyes burning into me, Aurora nods. I don’t delay a second to jog over to untie Dusty and climb on up, racing back up the road where I’ll find people who actually understand how to run a ranch.

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