Page 11 of Ashes of the Past
“So,” Jack says, turning to look at me with that infuriating smirk. “Brynn here was under the impression you hired me by mistake.”
My dad chuckles, waving a hand dismissively. “Oh, don’t mind her. She’s just a pistol of a thing, always has been. She knew I hired you. Probably just giving you a hard time.”
“Right,” Jack says, his gaze lingering on me. “That must be it.”
He leans up against the side of the irrigation system, completely at ease, as if he’s already settled back into life at Castings Ranch. His faded jeans and T-shirt are streaked with mud from our bumpy ride out here, but somehow, he looks more polished than he has any right to.
“What seems to be the problem with the irrigation system?” he asks.
My dad looks up from where he’s crouched next to the pipes, his face lighting up like someone just handed him a winning lottery ticket. “It’s been acting up for weeks now,” he says,gesturing to the tangle of hoses and valves. “We can’t seem to get the water pressure right. Either it’s too low, or it’s flooding the whole field.”
Jack nods thoughtfully. I can feel my teeth grinding as he crouches next to my dad, inspecting the mess of pipes. The other ranch hands step back, too, giving him space like he’s some kind of irrigation expert.
“Mind if I take a look?” Jack asks.
My dad waves a hand like he’s just been waiting for Jack to swoop in and save the day. “By all means.” Dad stands up and brushes off his jeans.
Jack rolls up his sleeves, exposing tanned, muscular forearms that I pointedly do not notice. He studies the pipes for a moment, then starts fiddling with the valves, twisting one here, tightening another there. He checks the main line and mutters something under his breath that I can’t quite catch.
“Try it now,” he says, straightening up and stepping back.
One of the ranch hands jogs over to the control panel and flips a switch. There’s a moment of tense silence, and then—like magic—the sprinklers roar to life, spraying a perfect arc of water across the field. The pressure is steady, the coverage even. It’s… flawless.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” my dad says, a grin spreading across his face. He claps Jack on the shoulder. “You’ve got the touch, son.”
The other ranch hands join in, patting Jack on the back and offering up their admiration like he just cured world hunger. My dad’s practically beaming, and I can feel my blood pressure rising with every second.
“It’s not that complicated,” Jack says modestly, wiping his hands on his jeans. “Just needed a little adjustment.”
I’m standing there, seething, while the men practically form a fan club around him. It’s infuriating. He’s been here for all offive minutes, and he’s already the golden boy. Meanwhile, I’ve been busting my ass to keep this ranch running, and no one’s patting me on the back.
I want to scream. Or throw something. Preferably at his head. But instead, I plaster on a tight smile and say, “Well, now that you’ve saved the day, I’ll leave you boys to it. I’ve got better things to do.”
“Like what?” Jack asks, his tone all innocent curiosity. “Polishing your attitude?”
“Like taking care of Olivia,” I snap, ignoring his jab.
I turn on my heel and march back to the UTV, my boots kicking up little clouds of dust with every step.
I’m halfway there when I hear my dad say, “She’ll warm up to you. Just give her time.”
“I’m not holding my breath,” Jack replies.
I climb into the UTV, gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turn white. My heart is pounding, my face is flushed, and I’m so mad I can barely see straight. Jack’s back for less than a day, and he’s already turning my world upside down.
As I drive away, leaving him and my dad behind, one thought keeps running through my mind: This is far from over.
Jack might think he can waltz in here and pick up where he left off, but he’s got another thing coming.
Chapter Four
Jack
“Boy, she’s a feisty one,” I say to John.
He laughs and nods. “That’s for sure. Not sure where we’d be without her, though. She’s really taken the brunt of the work from me after my last fall.”
“And I plan to take the brunt of the work off both of you,” I say with a grin.
