Page 90 of Brands

Blue’s palm runs up my ribs one last time before he moves away, pushing the heavy steel door open for them. “Welcome to Pierce Farms.” He winks at me with a grin.

“Maybe we’ll call it that.” I haven’t decided.

Sawyer laughs. “Sounds like an archery range.”

“Well, Pierce-n-Taylor sounds kinky.” Blue pauses, falling into step next to me. “But I like it.”

“Considering I’ll be a Pierce soon, and Devon will be the only Taylor…I guess it changes.”

“That’s right, baby.” Blue’s pat on my ass stirs the fire in my belly.

Not being able to sleep next to him the last two nights has been hell. But we both agreed to break one big thing to Dad at a time.

I just wish that one was first.

“These are nice looking animals,” Mason calls over. “But why just one Holstein when the rest are Jerseys?”

“Oh, that’s Lucy. I got her on a calf swap in 4H a couple of years ago. She’s a big producer, but a pain in the ass. Don’t let her push you around.” I take my spot at thefeeder gate, ready to start letting the girls in as soon as Mason and Sawyer are ready.

Blue takes his perch with his clipboard to tally the ear tags.

It’s like one big smooth running machine once they get the liquid nitrogen tank set up.

One at a time, I let a cow through to be freeze branded. The whole process takes just a few seconds.

But it’s huge to me.

These are my babies. Seeing the Black Gulch marks on their rears is kinda bittersweet.

They aren’t exactly mine anymore. Char has more technical ownership over them than I do.

It’ll be motivation to get them paid off quickly so I can earn them back.

“Maybe you’re right.” I climb the fence next to Blue as the last heifer trots through.

“Of course I am.” His brows raise over his smile. “About what?”

“What if our new brand is a capital ‘P’ with a tiny bar in the middle like crossing a ‘T’?” I trace my finger down his chest in the shape.

“Mmhmm,” he rumbles. “I can make that happen.”

I tilt my head, my lips teasing up. “Are you just agreeing with whatever?”

His palm flattens over my knuckles. “Yep, just keep touching me.” He leans closer. “I miss it at night.”

My heart weighs heavily. “Me too,” I whisper.

He pats my hand. “It’ll change soon, baby.”

“We’re all set.” Mason clears his throat. “Heard we’ll be going to your wedding in a couple of days?”

I get so wrapped up in Blue, it’s like the rest of the world fades.

“Yep. I can’t wait.” Blue holds out his arm in a broad sweep. “What do you think about this engagement ring I bought? I mean, who can say ‘no’ to a dairy?”

“I just had to say ‘yes’,” I giggle.

Sawyer’s brows knot in a confused expression, then he shakes his head as he hoists the tank to his shoulder. “That’s the weirdest thing I’ve heard.”

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