Page 14 of Double Cowboys
The men nod.
“Very wise,” Cason drawls. “Wish we’d had the forethought to do that before going buck-wild and joining the rodeo circuit. But this conversation isn’t about us. It’s about you, Kiki. So what made you decide to spend your gap year working on a ranch?”
I take a deep breath, getting my thoughts together. It’s important to do better, so I modulate my voice into a smooth and feminine tone.
“Well, it has to do with my major. I was a biology major with an interest in mammalian development. I was thinking that I’d take some time to work on a ranch before applying to D.V.M. programs. You know, veterinary degrees? I’m hoping to be a vet one day.”
“Yes, we’re very familiar with vets around the ranch,” Cason drawls, his brows going up. “And becoming a vet would be quite an achievement. What draws you to the profession?”
“Well, I’m not sure about the decision yet,” I say quickly. “I’m still deciding, although I do love animals. But I figured it’d be good to get some experience working on a ranch before committing myself to another couple years of school. And then there’s hands-on training after that too, which takes years as well.”
Colt chuckles.
“That’s some solid reasoning. So you must be twenty-one? Twenty-two or so?”
“Yes,” I murmur. “I’m twenty-one, and fresh from graduation with a degree from Western University.”
A look of approval flashes between the two cowboys and I’m surprised because most men who work with their hands don’t give a shit about degrees or academic achievements. It’s just a piece of paper to them because real intelligence and talent manifest on the job in a cowboy’s line of work. But something about Colt and Cason is different, and I look between their handsome miens, trying to figure it out.
“Great,” Cason drawls after a slight nod of his head. “We can always use someone good with animals on the farm. Hell, in addition to the cattle, we have a stable of horses, goats, sheep and even an assortment of chickens. Gordon in the kitchen likes to use fresh eggs in his omelets, which are the best I’ve ever had.”
“His pound cake too,” Colt adds while patting his stomach. “Another couple slices of that stuff and I’ll be sporting a paunch.”
I giggle at his jest because it’s obvious that neither man is even close to sporting a belly. Both are tall, tanned, and toned, with powerful chests, thick thighs from riding all day, and callused hands from field work. There’s no way they’d get a dad bod from a couple pieces of pound cake.
“Well, I do like to eat,” I say with a smile. “Will I be staying in the bunk with the other ranch hands? They share a kitchen at the bunk house, right?”
At that, the cowboys exchange a look.
“No,” Cason states definitively. “I’m not sure what Winston told you, but the bunk is all dudes. We wouldn’t throw you in the pen with that bunch of hooligans.”
“Hell, it’s likely grounds for a lawsuit,” Colt remarks. “No, we’re going to have our housekeeper set you up with a room in the Big House. It’s fine. There’s plenty of space, although it does mean that you’ll be taking your meals with me and this asshole,” he says, nodding at his brother.
I blush.
“Oh, there’s no need. I can find alternative housing. I could look for a room in town, or maybe a tent?—”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Colt states in a firm tone. “The nearest town is a two-hour drive away, and you don’t have a car. Plus, it gets cold during the winter here. You’ll be eaten alive by frostbite. You’re staying in the Big House with us.”
His voice makes it clear that there will be no dissent, and a hot shiver runs through my insides. Goodness, I had no idea I’d be sharing a household with such handsome men! Then again, it’s not like I’m going to bump into Colt and Cason by accident. The Big House is humongous, and when Winston led me through it earlier, I got confused and turned around. I’ll probably need a map if I’m going to live here.
“Okay,” I murmur, nodding slightly. “I’ll see you at dinnertime then because during lunch, I’ll be out with the boys.”
That causes the twins to frown, although I have no idea why.
“Shit,” grunts Colt.
“The boys,” echoes Cason in a wry tone. “Damn, I didn’t think of it like that.”
I stare at them with confusion.
“Like what? Don’t you want me to be out with the other ranch hands? Or did I misunderstand the job? I thought we’d be working with the herd all day, out in the fields. Most days, we’d bring our lunches to eat outside, right? There’s simply no time to go back and forth constantly between the pastures and the barn.”
“Right,” Cason states again.
“Shit,” Colt growls. “Those fuckers.”
What is he talking about? Who is he calling fuckers? But I nod because this isn’t the time to ask. I just met my two bosses, and obviously, Colt and Cason sign my paycheck. I’m already in enough hot water as it is, so there’s no need for more stupid questions on my first day.
