Page 14 of Nanny for the Cowboy

“I…” He doesn’t finish, looking down at his plate before suddenly snatching up his fork again and shoveling more eggs onto it. “Well, I’ll give it to you. You gothouseworkdone in a few hours. But that’s nothing compared to outside work.”

My lips part slightly, but I’m able to stop myself before I snap back at him. Darby is sitting right there, and I’m not about to let Brooks spoil this for me.

Besides, he’s only salty because I did way more in the two hours than he thought I would. Brooks doesn’t want to be wrong.

Well, he can suck it.

Taking a deep breath, I prepare my own plate and sit down. “I guess we’ll see.”

Before Darby goes to school,he helps me with the animals. It’s our duty to get the feed prepared, then he’ll head off, and I’ll take care of actually doling it out to all the beasties.

I’m ready for it, walking right up to the barn with a smile, but by the time Darby is finished with his part and has to go catch the bus, which I am shocked stops all the way out here, I’m exhausted.

I’ve been hauling bags of feed and hoisting them up into the troughs for the better part of an hour, and fuck, my arms are killing me.

This is way heavier than the typical pilates ball and nothing like practicing “strength training” yoga.

“This is just one part,” I moan to myself. “There’s still like twelve other things that need to get done. Christ.”

Wiping the back of my arm across my forehead, I grimace at the sweat and grime. In doing so, I give myself a good view of Brooks working with his friend across the yard.

It’s a good thing the guy has someone to help. Brooks introduced him as Adam, and the two of them have been at it over there doing some fucking thing with the grass and hay bales.

Whatever they’re doing, I know for a fact that I couldn’t help with it. The guys are lifting the bales and tools like it’s nothing, and I’m here struggling with a feed bag.

Don’t you dare, Clover. You will not give up on this. You are capable and productive and a goddamn strong, independent woman.

Finished with getting all the food where it belongs, I step outside of the barn—one of a few, I now know—to get a bit of fresh air. The breeze coasting through the trees is a godsend, and I sigh as I close my eyes and let it wash over me.

It’s cool where it touches the sweat on my skin, and I can smell all that hay and brush in the air. There’s also the distinct smell of BO, and I’m really glad that I didn’t take a shower when I first woke up.

It would have been utterly ruined by all this work.

Parked right near the barn wall is a little stack of hay bales, and I decide to take a load off for a moment and sit down on one. Of course, it’s not so much sitting down as it is collapsing on the thing with a sigh.

The bright sun makes the inside of my lids look red, and I take in several deep breaths, trying to steady myself.

Suddenly, darkness falls over my eyes, blocking the sun so that things go from red to black. I lean up onto an elbow, holding a hand over my eyes to shield them.

Brooks is standing over me, a smirk plain on his face. He’s not even trying to hide how amused he is.

“Taking a break?” His tone is all teasing and snarky. “There’s still plenty to be done. Trust me.”

I run my tongue over my teeth, narrowing my eyes on him as I sit up. “Yes, I’m sure there is. I was just catching my breath.”

Chuckling, Brooks puts out a hand to help me up. I take it, even though I don’t want to. I want to tell him to shove his help where the sun don’t shine.

Hay sticks to the back of my legs and I dust it off, the little ends sharp and sticking into my skin.

“I’m sure. Well, I’d be happy to show you what’s next since you’re all finished with the feed.”

That damn smile on his face is equal parts gorgeous and annoying. I can’t tell if I want to smack it off or kiss it off because of those damned dimples of his.

Clover…behave.

“Yes, I’m sure you would. Would it be against the rules for me to snag a drink before you throw me back out into the sun?”

Brooks reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a flask. I frown at him, my brows all screwed up as I look at him like he’s lost his mind.

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