Page 12 of Big Burly Foreman

“You ran out so fast before I could finish breakfast,” Joseph says from over my shoulder, and a cold shiver rakes my body from the emotions I read in Logan’s eyes.

His obvious jealousy, I can handle; it’s the hint of danger that swims in his gaze and the way he clenches his jaw and shifts a deadly stare in Joseph’s direction that scare me a little.

It’s hot to have him go all caveman possessive over me, but I don’t think it’ll be so hot when he lands a blow on Joseph’s face and rearranges his teeth, all for the crime of looking at me . . . and hooking his arm over my shoulder.Damnit.

“And that’s our cue to leave.” Eric, the ranch’s foreman, swoops in and drapes his arm over Logan’s shoulder, trying to pull him away before my home becomes a crime scene, but my cowboy doesn’t budge from the spot.

I step out from under Joseph’s arm, but that doesn’t exactly put out the fire in Logan’s eyes.

Eric looks at me pitifully before giving up and calling the other guys to follow, and I have half a mind to tell him to take me away with them. Everyone else walks away, leaving the three of us standing awkwardly in front of the main house.

Well, I seem to be the only one feeling the awkward energy, as the other two in my company are locked in a staring contest.

The tension around us is so heavy, it’s more oppressive than the humidity. I am not used to being in such tense situations, and suddenly, I wish my father had let me enroll in that magic class when I was six.

A disappearing act could really come in handy right about now.

Chapter Six

Logan

Not once during my ten years in the military did I experience murderous thoughts.

Up until I met Ashley, I never thought I would want to crush someone’s bones with my bare hands, but every day is a test on my restraint.

Today is particularly hard for me to hold back, but as much as I would love to plow my fist into the kid's face, it’s clear he’s a coward that would rather hide behind Ashley than step up and face me.

There is something pretentious about this puny kid.

I didn’t see it yesterday when I was overcome with jealousy at the thought of Ashley’s parents setting her up with someone, but as I stare into his eyes in the light of day, I see him for what he is.

Ashley clears her throat, drawing my attention from him and to her. “Logan, this is Joseph. You might have seen him last night at the dinner party.”

I don’t respond to the introduction, and she flashes me a pleading look to get a hold of my jealousy before turning to the kid. “Joseph, this is Logan. He works on the ranch.”

“A farm hand, huh?” the kid says with a sneer, and I watch with fascination as temper flashes in Ashley’s green eyes.

“Yes, and we value everyone that works here,” she says, her tone low and laced with muted anger.

The kid must notice he’s messed up as he hurries to do damage control. “Oh, I didn’t mean for it to come out that way. I always appreciate meeting people who work with their hands. Did I tell you about the time I visited the Philippines? The people are so lovely and hardworking. One time, we went into the mountains, and they taught me how to fish with just a bamboo stick.”

I fold my arms over my chest and study him. “Where in the Philippines?”

Two sets of curious eyes turn to me. “What?”

“I asked what mountains in the Philippines you visited.”

The kid laughs awkwardly, rubbing a hand on his nape, and I notice the confidence in his eyes slip a little. “I wouldn’t expect you to know the place.”

“Try me,” I say, my eyes narrowing on his. “I lived in the Philippines for over a year, so I might be familiar with the area you are talking about.”

I have never seen someone go sheet white right in front of my eyes, let alone in the middle of summer. “Oh, did I say the Philippines? I meant . . . uhm, I must have confused it with . . . another country.”

I want to grill him and expose him for the two-faced little shit he is in front of Ashley, but Eric calls out to me. Today, we’re moving hay into the barn, and I have stalled long enough here.

It’s become obvious that I will not be able to use my physical strength to get rid of this spoiled little pest that thought it was a good idea to come between Ashley and me. I will have to come up with some other way.

Eric calls out to me once more, and with one last look at Ashley, I head for the barn where the other men have already started working.

---