Page 32 of Country Contract

I think a younger me had once dreamed of being a writer; I had written some short stories and poems for therapeutic reasons but never did anything with them. Never anything concrete. The thought of dabbling in some of that during this trip has crossed my mind.

“How many are you hoping to get done this trip?” Cassidy rips up chicken pieces for Blake but can barely keep up with her as she shovels it into her mouth. Sherealizes that she’s starting to pocket in her cheeks. Cassidy sighs, scoops up the remaining pieces, and makes a small pile on her own plate.

“All of them. There are about twenty or so.”

“Are you editing them all?” she asks, stunned.

“Fuck no,” I start, slapping my hand over my mouth. Hunter chuckles and Cassidy shrugs.

“She’s growing up on a farm, don’t worry about that.”

“I am just making selections for us to move onto the next stage of editing. I’ll make quick notes in the margins, but nothing too specific. After I make selections, there is a long road ahead.”

We keep the conversation light and Blake offers the entertainment. I mention wanting to ride soon, and Cassidy is thrilled with the idea of having a girls’ day. Hunter happily offers to take their daughter off her hands so she can spend a day riding and relaxing with me. I can tell this man would give the world for her, and it’s a little sickening.

They aren’t overly romantic in front of me; I caught them in a few banter battles. It’s charming in its own way, but their romance is real. Their passion and adoration for each other are almost tangible.

“I was also thinking about inviting Silas over for a ride; he owns a bar in town. You know him?” I ask. I have a feeling she does. Silas mentioned that he and Harrison grew up together, so I’m sure Hunter is close with him, too. Hunter’s brows shoot up at my mention of him, and he tries to quickly school his expression.

“Oh, he’s basically Hunter and Harrison’s cousin. He comes by from time to time, especially when we do bonfires or parties. He’ll ride here with the boys.” It’s nice that he’s familiar with the farm so I wouldn’t feel too burdensome asking him to come over for a ride. He’ll likely even have ahorse preference just like everyone else around here. I don’t have one yet, but maybe before I leave, I’ll have a connection of my own.

“That’s great, so it wouldn’t be weird for him to come out here?” I ask as if I need permission.

“Oh, honey, you’re on vacation. Bring anyone you like back to that house of yours.” Cassidy winks at me, and Hunter spits the water he is drinking right back into his cup. This makes both Cassidy and me laugh, prompting B to join us in our fit.

“Do you have someone—” Hunter starts as the door flies open, slamming into the door stop. He jumps out of his chair and heads toward the front of the house. No one has enough time to react as Harrison rushes into the room. We hear him before we see him.

“What is wrong with the women out there?” he growls. Once he breaks the threshold into the dining space, he almost collides with Hunter and makes eye contact with me.

“Rough night?” I ask as I take in his disheveled appearance.

He’s wearing that familiar cowboy hat on his head, a work button-up that’s half pulled out of his pants and rumpled, dark jeans, and boots. His hat isn’t sitting on his head straight—it’s messy and tilted. His shirt looks like there are still clutch marks on the chest. I see a smear of bright red lipstick on his jaw, looking as though he had attempted to wipe it on his sleeve, and just as I thought, I see the smear on the sleeve of his left forearm. His cheeks turn bright red.

“I didn’t realize y’all had company. I’ll come back later.” He ignores me. Likely this is an attempt to preserve what little pride he has left.

“Shut up, Harrison. Get yourself a beer and a plate,”Cassidy prompts. He gives a quick shake of his head and goes to fix his hat. Hunter takes it off his head and tosses it on the post of the chair next to mine.

“You heard her,” Hunter states with finality. Harrison doesn’t fight his brother. He goes to the sink to wash his hands, then grabs a plate, silverware, and a bottle of beer from the fridge. When he sits next to me, Cassidy and I start laughing all over again, B joining in.

Harrison grumbles before looking over to me and giving me a death glare. With the lipstick smeared on his chin— now that I’m closer I notice it’s on his lips, too—I can’t take his glare seriously. I laugh even harder, provoking the other girls. It becomes so rowdy, that even Hunter lets out a chuckle.

Harrison’s face worries before he looks around the table.

“What?” he asks.

“Brother,” Hunter starts, but I am quick to interrupt.

“That really isn’t your shade.” I take my hand and run my thumb across his bottom lip, a small amount gracing the pad of my finger. His eyes dart down, taking in the red hue, causing his cheeks to brighten once again.

“God dammit,” he twangs, and I lose myself all over again.

By the time we all calm down, Harrison is able to tell us about his awful date. He tried to give being casual a shot, which basically ended in him being sexually assaulted.

Throughout the conversation, I learn so much about him. For example, he’s an obvious romantic. And he is much sweeter than he had let on the first time we met. And he’s as vanilla as the bean itself. It’s almost cute. Definitely not something I could flow with but endearing in its own way.

After dinner, I opt out of a bonfire, stating I’m full and exhausted from laughter. Harrison offers me a rideto the bunkhouse, which I gladly accept due to how cold it’s been once the sun goes down.

We’re in his truck, and the only sounds are the hum of his engine and the crunch of gravel under the tires.

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