Page 5 of Barn Burner
“You know, like fromToy Story 2. Although she was a cowgirl. Is that a big thing around here?”
I quickly pinch the bridge of my nose, then turn on my heel, heading back to my truck to get the tow cables. “Is what a thing?”
He’s quick to follow, falling in line with my steps. “Cowboys,” he clarifies. “To be honest, I just thought they existed in movies. Like the old Westerns.” He points finger guns at me and makespew-pewsounds.
Yeah, I’m probably going to regret this.
“I take it you’re not from around here, then,” I reply as I drop the tailgate and grab the tow cables.
He laughs. “What gave it away? Was it my accent or the fact I broke down on the wrong side of the road in the middle of bumfuck nowhere, Alberta?”
I glance back to his car. “Looks right to me.”
He rolls his eyes, and I hate that it looks cute on him. “No, like I’ve been driving on the wrong side of the road. Everything is all…” He waves his hand again, and I’m starting to realize he’s very animated with his hands when he talks. “The wrong way around. I drive on the left side of the road back home, but here, I have to drive on the right. The gear stick is on the other side of the car than what I’m used to, and don’t get me started on trying to open the windows. Everything is opposite, and it’s kinda confusing.”
I open my mouth to say something but promptly shut it again. I genuinely don’t know how to take this guy. He continues to talk about other things that are different from England as he follows me to the front of his SUV.
“Are you sure you’re not going to kill me?” he asks again, shoving his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. The move only emphasizes the thickness of his thighs, and I quickly avert my gaze. Now is not the time to be checking him out. “I mean, a killer probably wouldn’t admit that, but I think you’re a good guy, even if you’re a little grumbly, which is kinda hot, by the way, but I just need some kind of reassurance here.”
I pause, one knee on the ground as I tilt my head to look at him from beneath the brim of my hat. He’s pulling his bottomlip between his teeth, brown eyes sparkling with excitement, but also a hint of apprehension. He’s trying not to show he’s nervous, but his flighty movements are giving him away.
“Do you want to stay on the side of the road ’til someone else comes along?”
He shakes his head. “Well, no, not really.”
“Then unfortunately, I’m your best bet,” I grunt and make a start on attaching the cable to his tow hook. “And no, I’m not going to kill you. I’m just gonna take you back to the ranch for my brother to look at your car, then you can be on your way once it’s all fixed.”
“Is this like a false sense of security? Is taking me to your ranch like a euphemism?”
I close my eyes for a moment, begging for an ounce of patience before I address him again. “Brayden, either help me with these cables, or go sit in the cab of my truck. I’m not going to kill you. My ranch is literally just that. A ranch. We have beef cattle and horses and a petting farm.”
He sucks in his lip again before giving a firm nod, and thankfully, he goes to sit in the cab of my truck. I finish attaching the cables to his car before pulling my truck up in front to finish hooking up. Ten minutes later, we’re heading back to Huxley Creek Ranch, and I can feel his eyes on my person. Silently watching me with those soulful eyes.
“So, how many brothers do you have?”
My reply rumbles from my chest. “Two.”
“Are they called Woody and Buzz?” He snorts, then slaps his thigh as he bursts into laughter.
I flatten my lips, trying not to let my amusement show at his ridiculous joke. Instead, I roll my eyes and give a small shake of my head.
“Damn, not a Disney fan, then, I take it?” he asks when I don’t answer.
I glance over and arch a brow. “Isn’t it Pixar?”
That rewards me with a beaming smile that hits me in the gut. I force myself to take my eyes off him and return to the road.
And try to ignore the little spark that’s been lit inside my chest at this gorgeous stranger. Because I don’t have time forthat.
3
Brayden
The knot of defeat that had rooted itself in my chest until Jesse arrived has finally unfurled and disappeared. The views on the way to his ranch are insane. Fucking breathtaking. The mountains peek out above the canopy of trees, pointing up to the crystal blue sky. Acres of green prairies as far as the eye can see.
And then there’s the view to my left.
My eyes drift up from the strong hand gripping the steering wheel tightly. The rolled-up sleeves of his soft-looking plaid shirt show off thick, tanned forearms, covered in a smattering of dark hair. The fingertips of his other hand idly tap the door frame just below the window as he keeps his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Eyes that are such a pale fucking blue, they almost look like ice. They are so startling against his dark and rough features.
