by Becky Harmon
“Well…um…do you want to get lunch?”
Kathleen blushed. “Well, I didn’t think through my plan very well since I arrived right at noon, but I’m not on a schedule. Is there somewhere we can go? My treat.”
“That’s a nice offer that I’ll hold you to one day, but how about a sandwich for today? We keep a variety of stuff in the kitchen behind the office and we can take care of business while we eat.”
“That sounds great. I love ‘stuff.’”
Chapter Six
Shelley and the guys quickly made their plates and disappeared outside.
“Is it okay if we eat with everyone?” Cassie held out a bag of chips.
“Of course, we can still talk about the farm, right?”
“Yes, and you’ll get input from everyone. Neither Dillon nor Shelley is shy, if you haven’t noticed already.”
“I like them.”
Cassie smiled. “We’ll see what you think after lunch.”
Zoey and Pandy met them on the porch and followed them to the picnic table.
“Sit here, Kathleen.” Shelley slid toward Dillon on the bench, giving Kathleen the end spot. Cassie took a seat beside Jason and across from Kathleen.
“Those are beautiful dogs.” Kathleen watched Zoey and Pandy stretch out in a shady spot nearby.
“Thank you,” Cassie said, sticking a chip in her mouth.
“They’re spoiled rotten.” Shelley grinned, keeping her attention on her sandwich and avoiding Cassie’s hard stare.
“They might be, but neither one is at the table begging for food,” Kathleen countered.
“Cassie wouldn’t allow that,” Dillon chimed in.
Kathleen looked at Cassie, laying her sandwich on the plate. “Are you strict?”
Cassie narrowed her eyes at Kathleen’s scrutiny. “Maybe, but I couldn’t allow them to run around loose without manners. As long as no one feeds them from the table they listen pretty well.” She turned her glare back to Shelley.
“I would never feed them from the table.” Shelley laughed. “I only give them their treats in the appropriate locations.”
“They hang close to the house and the stalls.” Dillon shoved the last of his sandwich in his mouth and picked up his bag of chips. “They never go far or visit the guests without either Cassie or me. None of the guests have ever complained about them.”
Kathleen gazed over Cassie’s shoulder toward the lake. “This place is really peaceful.”
Cassie didn’t have to turn around to see what Kathleen was seeing. She knew the fountain centered in the large lake would be making ripples across the crisp blue water, pushing continuous waves toward the shore. She also knew that when the cabins were occupied peacefulness could be sparse.
“For the moment, yes, but in five minutes the Jackson boys from Cabin Four will return from lunch and the world will erupt in screaming and kid play.”
Cassie ate another chip, ignoring her sandwich. She wasn’t sorry to be sitting across from Kathleen. She had the best view of everyone. No matter how she tried to resist, her eyes gravitated to Kathleen’s face, pulled by the movement of her lips when she talked. She was surprised her mind was able to stay in the conversation.
“Yeah, we think it’s peaceful too.” Dillon shot Cassie a rebuking look.
Kathleen winked at Cassie. “So, convince me to spend my money here.”
Cassie coughed, quickly taking a sip of water to cover her surprise. Kathleen’s easy flirting was certainly welcome and enjoyable, but it was not something Cassie was used to. Nor were the feelings it invoked deep inside her. She was used to being in control of her emotions, and she couldn’t help feeling a little out of sorts.
“Oh, that’s easy,” Dillon jumped in before Cassie could regain her speech.
“Really.” Kathleen leaned around Shelley so she could see Dillon. “Let’s hear it.”
“We offer trail riding on horses or bikes and a beautiful lake for swimming or boating. We have twenty acres with paths for watching the wildlife. The property backs up to the Conecuh National Forest with connecting trails. Or you can just hang on the beach and do nothing. On Friday nights we have a big cookout and roast marshmallows.” Dillon took a breath.
“The girls are going to love it here,” Kathleen said softly.
Dillon smiled. “We’ll make sure of it. They’ll have responsibilities, but we’ll let them decide how involved they want to be.”
Cassie took a few minutes to put some distance between her emotions and the woman across from her. Finally finding her voice, she continued Dillon’s sales pitch. “We have four alike but different cabins. One cabin has three bedrooms, one has two and one has one. The last cabin is a large open room. All are fully stocked with general appliances and cooking supplies. Each one has a gas grill on the back deck, and we provide charcoal for the grill pits by the lake.”
“Housekeeping is provided upon request. Fresh towels and linens are always available in the office, or they can fill out their housekeeping tag and we’ll do it for them,” Shelley added.
“Housekeeping tag?” Kathleen asked.
“It’s a tag that they hang on their cabin door each morning. They can mark whatever housekeeping items they would like to have done that day,” Shelley explained.
“That’s a great idea,” Kathleen agreed. “You don’t bother them unless they need something.”
“And the staff is pretty friendly too.” Jason put in as he stood and tossed his plate into a nearby trash can. “This has been fun, but I gotta get back to work.”
“Cookout tonight, if you’re free,” Cassie invited.
“Sounds great,” Jason said with a wave as he started toward his truck. Looking back over his shoulder, he reminded them. “Don’t forget to check your fence line.”
“Oh yeah,” Dillon groaned. “I guess we better go do that.” He glanced at Kathleen and then at Cassie. “Maybe I should go alone?”
“No. Well, maybe, I am not sure,” Cassie frowned. She wasn’t ready for Kathleen to leave, but it would take Dillon late into the evening to make the check on his own.
Kathleen stood quickly. “I can go. I don’t want to keep you from your work.”
“You could stay with me,” Shelley suggested.
“Or…” Cassie scanned Kathleen’s clothing down to her shoes. “You could go with us?”
“Okay,” Kathleen eagerly responded.
Shelley laughed. “Not dressed like that, you can’t, but I think we can hook you up. Come with me.” Shelley cleared the table of trash and grabbed Kathleen’s hand, tugging her toward the house.
“Well, all right then.” Cassie stood, taking a deep breath. “Let’s saddle some horses.”
Dillon frowned. “Did we mention we’d be riding horses?”
“I don’t think so, but she’s going to find out soon enough.”
* * *
Kathleen quickened her steps to keep up with Shelley. What have I agreed to? She didn’t really know, but she did know she wasn’t ready to leave. She also wasn’t ready to think about how unprofessional her feelings were becoming. Cassie was a host for Fosters, a company she was employed by. Was she crossing a line? Maybe. She only knew she couldn’t remember the last time she felt this good. She felt more comfortable with these strangers than people she had known for years. Flirting with Cassie and watching her blush was certainly worth hanging around a little longer for.
Chapter Seven
Cassie stepped into the small paddock and whistled for Cheyenne and Dakota, while Dillon gathered the materials they might need for fencing repairs. After she saddled both horses, she selected a mahogany bay mare for Kathleen. She and Dillon were attaching supplies to their saddles when they heard the sound of Kathleen’s laughter. They turned to see Shelley and Kathleen walking toward the stables arm in arm, their heads bent close together.
Dillon chuckled. “I think she might be a farm girl after all.”
No kidding. Cassie’s eyes widened at the s
ight of Kathleen. Obviously, she had made a rash decision when evaluating Kathleen’s ability to fit into life on the farm; the transformation in front of her made her light-headed. Kathleen had untied her hair, letting it fall in disheveled waves around her face. A light, long-sleeved T-shirt hugged every curve of her breasts and grazed the top of her borrowed blue jeans. Cassie’s eyes had barely made it to the cowboy boots covering her feet when the two women stepped into the barn.
“Close your mouth, Cass.” Dillon bumped Cassie with his shoulder, knocking her off balance as he pushed past her and approached the women.
Cassie fell against the wall of the stable, and she casually leaned there as if that was her intent all along. Her face heated when she met Kathleen’s eyes, taking in the smile that covered her face. Kathleen had clearly heard Dillon’s comment. Cassie was going to have to kill him.
“My lady, your horse awaits.” Dillon gave a mock bow, holding out his hand to Kathleen.
She looked at Cassie and then Shelley before allowing her hand to be swallowed up by Dillon’s larger one.
“Have fun.” Shelley kissed Dillon and turned, placing a wide-brimmed hat on Kathleen’s head.
Dillon headed for the paddock with Kathleen, swinging their hands between them like small children on the playground. Cassie swallowed the lump starting to form in her throat. Her friends had pulled Kathleen into their inner circle, and she looked quite comfortable there. The sweet sound of her laughter touched Cassie. Grabbing her Stetson from the tack room, she hurried to catch up to them and join the conversation.
“So, are you seeing anyone?” Dillon’s voice reached Cassie as she approached.
Cassie slammed to a stop, instantly regretting her precipitous arrival, but she couldn’t help leaning forward in hopes of catching Kathleen’s answer. Her words were only a low murmur, but Cassie didn’t miss Dillon’s evil grin as he looked back at her. She groaned. Dillon was having way too much fun at her expense. He had never had the opportunity to meet anyone Cassie was interested in and he was completely aware of her discomfort. To distract him, she took Angel by the reins and led her beside the mounting platform.
Dillon raised his arm, assisting Kathleen as she climbed the three concrete steps beside the mare. Taking the reins from Cassie, he smiled at Kathleen. “Have you ridden before?”
“Yes, but only on guided tours.” She grinned. “And it’s been a few years.”
Dillon laughed. “No worries. Cassie picked a great horse for you. This is Angel.” He gently guided Kathleen’s hand to the bay’s neck. “She is very gentle and great at following.”
He folded the reins into Kathleen’s hands as she settled in the saddle. “Hold right here in a relaxed grip, using both hands. Pull back if you need to stop, but you probably won’t have to. She will follow us and stop when we do.”
Cassie climbed on Cheyenne’s back and guided her beside Kathleen. “All ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Kathleen said hesitantly.
“Hold on tight.” Cassie winked. “Injuries make my insurance go up.”
Kathleen choked out a laugh. “That’s nice. Your concern for my welfare is touching.”
Cassie and Dillon maneuvered their horses out of the paddock with Kathleen in the middle. The goats scurried away from the horses’ feet but followed close behind them.
“We’re being followed.” Kathleen turned back and forth in her saddle to watch them.
“They’ll lose interest shortly. Once we get to the platform out there.” Cassie pointed at a wooden four-by-four platform about three feet off the ground.
“What’s that?” Kathleen asked.
“Playground equipment.”
“What?”
“Just watch.” Cassie pointed again as three of the goats ran up the ramp and began pushing each other off the platform. “See, they’ve already forgotten about us.”
“They’re very cute.” Kathleen laughed when a fourth goat squeezed herself onto the platform, shoving another one off.
“It was easy for Dillon to convince me to rescue them.”
“Very easy,” Dillon added. “I think we should head straight for the stream since that’s our weakest point.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Cassie pulled her gaze from Kathleen and glanced at Dillon. “If we don’t find anything there, we can separate and follow the fence line back in both directions.”
“Is the fence broken?” Kathleen asked.
“Possibly. Dillon found a fence nail in one of the horse’s hooves this morning so we need to check. The goats can wiggle out of really small holes and predators can get in so it’s not worth the risk. Although with so much sandy dirt around here, things get dropped and then churn up years later.”
* * *
As they entered the tree line, Dillon took the lead and Cassie dropped to the rear. It was difficult to talk in single file so they rode in silence. Cassie was happy to follow and keep an eye on Kathleen. The long sleeves on Kathleen’s T-shirt made her shoulders look even narrower and the material molded to her back, moving as she moved. Cassie was sure she had already memorized every inch of Kathleen’s body and could trace the curves in her mind.
Dillon nudged Dakota into a trot when they cleared the trees and headed across the open pasture to the fence line. He dismounted, jumping back and forth across the little stream. He looked up at Cassie as they approached.
“I don’t see anything,” he said, shaking his head.
Cassie dismounted and looked up at Kathleen. “Would you like a chance to stretch?”
“Yes, but I might need help getting down and back up again.”
“That’s no problem. One of us will help you.” Cassie dropped Cheyenne’s reins, leaving her to graze beside the stream. She stepped to the side of Angel, putting one hand on the saddle horn to balance Kathleen as she dismounted. “Just swing your leg over and drop.”
“Have you seen the length of my legs?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I have seen your legs.” Cassie’s face flushed, but she didn’t look away. Kathleen had started the flirting, and Cassie couldn’t let the opportunity pass.
“Then I don’t have to tell you they won’t reach the ground.” A slight smile played on Kathleen’s lips, but she didn’t acknowledge Cassie’s comment.
“Put your hand on my shoulder, and I’ll support you until your stubby little limbs reach the ground.”
Kathleen laughed. “I would say something smart but then you might not help me down.”
“True, but there’s always Dillon.”
Kathleen swung her leg over the back of Angel and slid down into Cassie’s arms. Their faces inches apart, Kathleen leaned forward and whispered in her ear. “I prefer you.”
Cassie’s breath caught and her fingers tightened on Kathleen’s waist. The soft material covering Kathleen’s skin didn’t protect Cassie’s fingers from the heat, and she quickly stepped away. Crap! Cassie avoided Kathleen’s gaze and walked toward the fence line. “See anything, Dillon?”
“Nothing so far.”
“Bummer,” Cassie mumbled. The sparks Kathleen had caused moments ago still raced through her body, and she had hoped they could return to the stables quickly. “I guess we better walk the rest of the fence line.”
“Works for me. Meet you back at the house.” Dillon called as he turned and began a slow pace along the fence away from Cassie and Kathleen.
Cassie picked up Cheyenne’s reins and began walking in the opposite direction. “I guess you’re stuck with me unless you hurry and catch up to Dillon.”
“Tempting.” Kathleen took Angel’s reins and followed her.
Cassie couldn’t help feeling that she should apologize for what almost happened, but she wasn’t ready to put her attraction into words. She didn’t think she would ever experience this feeling of enchantment with another person again and she would feel like an idiot if it was one-sided. She didn’t think it was, though. The look of desire she had seen in Kathleen’s eye
s had mirrored her own. It had been a while since she had seen it, but she was pretty sure about what she was seeing.
Cassie stopped and waited for Kathleen to catch up. She turned to face her before speaking. “I’m sorry—”
Kathleen’s fingers touched her lips. “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”
Static crackled from the radio on Cassie’s belt, and they both jumped.
“Hey, Cassie,” Dillon’s voice boomed.
Cassie turned the volume down and keyed the microphone. “Yes.” Her voice was hoarse and scratchy.
“I found the spot. Looks like something heavy climbed the fence and tore it down.”
“We’re headed back your way.”
Cassie dropped Cheyenne’s reins and stepped beside Kathleen. “It will be faster if we ride.” Taking Angel’s reins from Kathleen, she interlocked her hands, placing them below the stirrup. “Use my hands as your step and I’ll help you swing your leg over.”
Kathleen placed her left hand on the horn and her right on the rear of the saddle. Placing her left foot into Cassie’s hands, she allowed herself to be pushed up onto Angel’s back. Cassie handed the reins up to her. “All good?”
“We’re all good.” Kathleen stated with a smile, making Cassie’s chest flutter. She could get used to this feeling. It had been a long time since she had felt any stirrings of interest for anyone, and she was starting to enjoy it.
“Okay. Yeah.” Cassie flashed Kathleen a big grin. Putting her left foot in the stirrup, she swung her leg over Cheyenne’s back.
Angel fell in behind Cheyenne as they trudged down the fence line. It wasn’t long until they spotted Dillon. He had already cut a piece of fence to strengthen the damaged section. Cassie jumped down and grabbed the bag with the supplies in it. While Dillon held the fence in place, Cassie tapped a couple of new fence nails into the posts. When she finished, Dillon pulled out the wire cutters and wrapped all of the open ends around the standing fence.
The two of them worked together in silence and after a few minutes they had patched the damaged portion. Cassie checked in with Shelley on the radio and let her know they were on their way back. With Kathleen positioned between them, they cleared the trees and headed back across the pasture.