Page 13 of Red Hot Rancher

Her eyelids drifted closed and a moan escaped. She chewed and enjoyed the mingling of the best flavors in the world. The chicken he’d used was actually grilled, not dumped from a package and warmed, or even cooked with the broiler. When had he grilled?

Opening her eyes, she met Caleb’s gaze. His fork was poised over his plate, a heap settled on it, but he watched her. She flicked her tongue across her lip to catch any stray strands of cheddar. His gaze dipped to her mouth. The air sizzled between them. Was he still attracted to her? As much as she was to him and hadn’t been able to admit until now?

Justin rounded the entrance, three longnecks in his hands. “I hope you made enough for leftovers for a week.”

Caleb jerked his attention back to his plate. “Maybe not a week, but it might get us through the weekend.”

Justin passed out the beer and settled in. “It’ll be perfect for after working cattle.”

About to take a drink, Brigit put the bottle back down. She’d always looked forward to working cattle. As she’d gotten older, she’d been promoted from running the calves up the shoot to recording the data behind tag numbers and shots. The last few times Cash had worked cattle, she’d come home and helped administer the vaccines. “Do you need help?”

Justin held his hands up. “It’s not my call. I’m helping the Jameses and then Caleb.”

Would Farah want her around? Brigit suspected Farah was the only one besides her, Caleb, and Mom who knew even part of what had happened when they were younger.

But a weekend of hard labor and working cattle sounded divine. She’d rather have her head hit the pillow after a full day and aching muscles than be restless in bed and worried about how little she wanted to apply anywhere.

“Think she’d mind?” she asked Caleb. She didn’t need to be BFFs with Farah in order to lend a hand.

Caleb’s jaw flexed, a fine crinkle marring his forehead. “I guess I could ask. If you were there on Saturday, it’d free her up to teach Jesse the process. But, yeah, you can come out to my place Sunday and throw in with the rest of us. I have about sixty calves to tag and vaccinate.”

A triumphant smile curved her lips. She went from dreading another day of scouring online classifieds to pure excitement. “Put in a good word with Farah for me? I can’t sit around on the computer for another day.”

“Find anything good?” Justin asked.

“A few positions that looked promising.” She avoided looking at Caleb. Talking about leaving Moore when she’d just moved back rubbed a wound that she hadn’t known was so raw. The year she graduated, she’d hung around all summer, helping Dad. Mom had done all the dorm setup and practically packed for her.

“Where at?” Caleb’s voice was low, his gaze direct.

“Two in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul.” She said it in the same tone that she used when she discussed her future with others. Confidence mixed with optimism. The effect came naturally now, even if she lacked the youthful exuberance she used to have.

Justin pushed his empty plate away and reclined in his chair. His dirty blond hair was ruffled, and his black T-shirt was faded and a few washes away from disintegrating. She’d met up with him once in Denver. This Justin was the complete opposite of Denver Justin, and she was probably the only one to have witnessed it.

“Have you thought about Alexandria or Fergus Falls?” he asked. “Even Fargo isn’t that far away.”

“They’re still a little too small to have the variety in job opportunities I’m looking for.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Caleb look away. Did he think she was being uppity for discriminating against small populations when she’d been born and raised in a town of less than ten thousand?

Justin nodded and scrubbed his face. “I get it. Might as well set up in the place you want to live in.”

She opened her mouth, then clamped it shut. She’d been so close to saying she didn’t want to live in Minneapolis, but that was where the work was. It’d just muddy the waters.

“Good luck with the job hunting.” Caleb nodded to her and to Justin before he stood. He carried his plate and lifted Justin’s to stack with his.

Brigit straightened. They’d barely finished eating and he was leaving already? The urge to beg him to stay was strong, but she pressed her lips together.

“I’m washing, remember?” Justin called. His beer was half full. He wouldn’t be going anywhere until it was gone.

“I’ll wash.” Brigit rose with her plate in one hand and her beer in the other. She tried not to rush after Caleb, but she couldn’t help wanting to see him one more time before he left.

His back was to her and despite Justin’s warning, he was rinsing the dishes. The dishwasher door hung open.

“You spoil him.” She waited next to him.

He chuckled. “It’s the least I can do.”

“You’re going to have to leave some work for me to do.” She nudged his arm with her elbow, ignoring the flare of warmth blooming across her skin. “Or you’re going to make me look bad.”

He glanced at her and grinned. “You’re related. The baby sister gets away with everything.”

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