Page 72 of Country Contract

I stare out at the dark, empty road in front of me and think to myself. I don’t really know. I enjoyed my last relationship a lot, but it just wasn’t the end-all for either of us. We felt more like friends with benefits than true lovers.

“I guess I want to have a real relationship. I don’t want a farce. I want to feel like the object of their affection, and I want them to be mine. I want physical and emotional intimacy. I want a strong partnership and to know my partner and I can rely on each other. I think I do want at least one kid; I mean, I’ve kept my cat alive long enough, but I’ve also heard that cats are hard to kill. But what do you want? What are you capable of?”

“You do realize that’s the most you’ve ever said to me, right?” He laughs, and it’s actually kind of nice.

“No, it’s not. I text you almost every day.”

“Sure, but that’s the most you’ve ever spoken to me.”

I don’t say anything, and he starts to laugh even more.

“Okay, I’ll humor you. Listen, I’ve been married once before. I’m sure you know that by now; something tells meyou weren’t going to go into this completely blind. It was a cordial marriage. I think I wasn’t a very good husband to her, and I’m not quite sure why. I think I just assumed she would be okay with me working all the time to fund whatever she wanted to do. But Amanda didn’t have any personal aspirations. That sounds terrible, but I just don’t think she knew what she wanted at that time of her life. So, with me being gone all the time, I think it was just in her face. When I look back on my role, I think I didn’t do enough to foster a relationship with her. So?—”

“And that’s why you want a relationship where your wife has her own career and is busy. Like you said, you’re a busy man.” He’s surprised by my interruption and lets out a slight growl.

“I am, and I want you to be busy too. I don’t want you to be waiting for me or bored. But that doesn’t mean I’ll ignore you. Harlow, I’m willing to spoil you however you want. If you want my time, that means you’ll need to work closely with me. You want your own department, run it from my office. We’ll carpool and do dinner daily. You want physical affection? Trust me, Harlow, I am very willing to take whatever privileges you’re willing to give with your body. I’ve thought about it daily since we’ve met. You want to cuddle? You got it, I’ll work from bed if I have a late night. You name it, Harlow. I’ll be attentive to you and as many kids as you want. Just name it.”

I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say. He’s basically telling me he’ll do whatever I want, but he doesn’t really say what he wants.

“You’re giving me a lot of freedom.”

“Harlow, the only thing I’m asking for is a chance.”

“How can you know so little about me and be so sure?” I ask as I focus on the road ahead of me.

“I guess I can’t be sure. I already have one failed marriage in the books. But I also know that I have a gut feeling about you that I didn’t have with Amanda.”

I roll my eyes because how can I trust someone’s gut feeling? There’s nothing to back that up.

“Harlow,” he states, and I wait for him to continue.

“You’ve been telling me about yourself for about a month, you really think I don’t know you at all? I think the person here who doesn’t know the other is you.”

I roll my eyes hard, but at the same time, I know that he’s kind of right.

“Then spill,” I say.

For the rest of my drive back into Pebble Creek, we play twenty questions. And out of all twenty questions, we only have two in common.

One: We both have eclectic taste in music.

Two: We enjoy the arts.

But that’s it. Our favorite foods, colors, seasons, weather, holidays, and hobbies are all so very different. I guess this is what they mean when they say you end up with someone unlike you to round you out. Maybe my parents really do know what they’re doing when it comes to matchmaking.

Chapter 30

Harrison

“Jake! Check nine!” I yell over the pasture. “Jake! Nine!” It’s hard to hear over the heavy hooves of the cattle, their moos, and grunts. We’re in the east meadow moving the cattle to another pasture.

Riding Star always helps clear any messy state of mind. Cassidy, Hunter, and I all sat together once they got back from running errands and had a quick dinner. Cass was the living example of a two-day hangover, so she was more quiet than usual.

Seeing Harlow with B, having dinner with my family, and thinking about what’s happening now and what’s going to happen in a few more weeks had me all kinds of twisted. So, instead of sending a few hands to take care of the herd today, I went on my own and called Jake out. It’s the perfect distraction.

Star’s hooves beat against the land as we push the cattle farther north. With Jake off to the west, the front of the herd starts to split, and I let out a loud whoop and whistle. Jake looks over to me and herds the gals back to the group. Thefront end tightens up and we finally make it to a pasture up north.

“Damn, it’s getting’ cold,” Jake says with a huff.

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