by Laura Ann
“Noah? Is everything okay?” she asked softly.
Noah nodded in a jerky motion. “Fine,” he said curtly.
Scarlett frowned. “Did I do something wrong? Why are you acting like this when you invited me to dinner? Are you mad about this afternoon with Romeo? I thought we were over that.”
Noah let out a long breath and forced his muscles to relax. “No. I mean, yes.” He groaned and scrubbed at his face. “No, you didn’t do anything wrong. Yes, we’re over what happened this morning.” Except for the almost kiss, he thought glumly. “And I apologize if my dinner invite gave you the wrong impression, but it’s my job to make sure you have a good time while you’re here.”
Scarlett had stiffened at his words. “No worries. I understand,” she said quickly. Her eyes went back to her dinner, but instead of eating, she began pushing the food around her plate. After a few moments, she looked up with a tight smile. “Well, that’s just more of that cowboy hospitality,” she gushed. “I’ve read so much about it and it’s so sweet to see it in action.”
Noah almost burst out an apology. That he hadn’t meant what he said. He’d invited her to dinner because he wanted to be near her, he wanted to get to know her, and he wanted to keep testing that crazy chemistry that sprang to life every time they were close to each other, but he bit his tongue to keep from doing that. Two weeks. In two weeks she goes home and I’m leaving, maybe for good. It wouldn’t be fair to either one of us to start something only to have it end so quickly. It’s better this way, he assured himself. From the stabbing pain in his chest, however, his heart didn’t agree.
“So you read a lot of Westerns, huh?” Oli said, sliding his empty plate away. He glanced across the room at a loud laugh and cringed.
Noah looked over and saw Trent, the writer and guest that Oli had been assigned for the week, laughing riotously at something Daniel Foreman, the father from Seattle, had said.
Scarlett’s smile turned coy as she looked at Oli, and Noah grit his teeth. “Yep! My mother got me hooked on them when I was a little girl.” She shrugged. “Guess it was time to see some of it in action, huh?”
Oli chuckled and glanced at Trent again before coming back to Scarlett. “In that case, ignore old sourpuss here” —he jabbed a thumb at Noah— “and let the rest of us show you a good time. Real-life cowboys are every bit as charming as the books.” He raised an eyebrow at Noah. “Most of us, anyway.”
Scarlett laughed, a little too loudly, Noah decided, while he leaned back, folding his arms over his chest. He didn’t need to explain himself to either of them. His decision to keep things professional was in everyone’s best interest, whether Scarlett understood that or not.
“What else did those books teach you?” Oli pressed, still smiling wide.
Scarlett grinned and leaned forward. “Well...let’s just say I’m excited to test out my skills in feeding the chickens tomorrow,” she teased.
Noah held in his groan. Heaven help us.
CHAPTER 9
Scarlett eased out of bed the next morning, pretending her legs didn’t feel like unset jelly. Sheesh, I was only on the horse for a couple of minutes. This is absurd.
“Geez, girl,” Betsy moaned from her bunk. “I want whatever you’ve been drinking. Is it the ranch? Or are you always this easy to get going in the morning?”
Scarlett shrugged as she headed to the bathroom. “A little of both, I guess. I’m a little...”
“Perky? Bouncy? Sunshiny?” Betsy offered.
Scarlett snorted. “Uh...no. None of the above. I like to say I’m an optimist, but my friend Jaz just says I’m crazy.”
Betsy huffed and stood up from her bed. “Let ’em say it. Anyone who can insult you needs their head examined. You’re all that’s good in this world.”
Scarlett’s breath stuttered and she blinked a few times to clear the tears. Her mother used to say things like that, but her death had been many years ago. Sometimes in moments like these, Scarlett’s ache for her became fierce. “Thanks,” she said softly.
“We better get ready. The boys’ll be waiting for us,” Betsy grumbled, heading toward the bathroom.
“Aren’t you eager to go see that handsome cowboy you’re hanging out with this week?” Scarlett teased.
Besty raised an eyebrow. “Are you talking to yourself? Because it’s you and Noah who seem to be flirting like the world is ending.”
Scarlett’s cheeks flushed. “Fighting is more like it,” she grumbled. “We bicker like—”
“A couple of old married people,” Betsy finished with a grin.
“Whatever.” Scarlett rolled her eyes. “You just worry about you and Levi. I’ve seen the way you eye his muscles.”
Betsy sighed and put a hand to her forehead. “If only Jeremiah could see me now! I don’t think he ever realized he’d have competition for my affection.”
Scarlett laughed as intended.
“Thank you, thank you.” Betsy bowed. “I’ll be here through next week.”
Scarlett shook her head, but continued to smile. She couldn’t help it. She was loving her time with Betsy. The older woman was exactly the kind of fun Scarlett needed at the moment, especially with Noah being so hot and cold.
He was driving her crazy in more ways than one. First, her physical reaction to him was unlike anything she’d ever felt before. She’d met handsome men during her life, but there was more than that with Noah. She’d seen him be kind, sweet, flirtatious, and even embarrassed, and all of it had appealed to Scarlett. But after his very direct line last night about not leading her on, Scarlett was completely thrown for a loop.
He was the one who invited me, she grumbled mentally. So why did he suddenly pull back? Did he change his mind? Did someone say something to him? Or maybe he really was just taking care of me as a guest and I read too much into it. She closed her eyes in frustration. So what do I do now? Can we still work together without it being awkward?
With a shake of her head, Scarlett finished getting ready, then she and Betsy headed toward the barn. Noah was already there, his cowboy hat perched low on his head as he stood next to all his other buddies.
Scarlett’s breath caught as they approached, but she forced her lungs to keep moving. Client. I’m only a client. Let’s keep this totally professional.
“Good morning!” Mr. MacMillan called loudly as they all grouped together.
Scarlett eased her way to Noah’s side. “Good morning,” she ventured.
Noah gave her an easy smile, letting Scarlett breathe easy. “Good morning.”
“We still on for feeding the chickens?”
Noah nodded. “Yep. Are you feeling up to it?”
Scarlett stuck her thumbs in her belt loops and cocked a hip. “Of course! I can’t fall off with this one.”
Noah chuckled, then abruptly stopped.
Scarlett frowned and followed Noah’s line of sight to see Mr. MacMillan smiling at them. She waved and smiled back.
“Come on.” Noah tilted his head toward the house. “We’re headed to the other side.”
Scarlett hurried to catch up and walk beside him. She determined then and there that she wasn’t going to let Noah ruin this experience for her. His up and down roller-coaster mood was his choice; it didn’t have to affect Scarlett. She had been saving for years, and planning even longer, to fulfill this dream, and nothing, not even a handsome but grumpy cowboy, was going to stand in her way.
“Looks like we’re working together again,” Betsy said with a laugh from behind Scarlett.
Scarlett spun and smiled. “Sweet!” She glanced at Levi, who was walking next to Betsy. “Good morning, Levi.”
“Mornin’,” Levi said, tipping his chin. He glanced at Noah’s back, then smiled at Scarlett. “Are you feeling all right after your spill yesterday?”
Scarlett threw back her head and groaned. “I don’t know if I’ll ever live that moment down. I can’t have been the only person to ever fall off a horse.”
“I
don’t know...” Levi rubbed his chin. “That line from The Lone Ranger was pretty ingenious. If it had been any horse other than Romeo, you might have gotten away with it.”
Scarlett rolled her eyes, but smiled to let him know she wasn’t upset at his teasing. Sticking her nose in the air, she turned back to the front. “You only wish you were as cool as me.” She sniffed.
Levi laughed, the sound deep and hearty. With a tilt of his head, he led Betsy off in another direction, telling her they needed to grab some supplies.
Scarlett glanced at Noah, whose glare was drilling holes into Levi’s back. “He’s in a good mood this morning,” she offered.
Noah glanced her way, his look softening. “Yep.”
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was jealous. Scarlett shook her head. No point in dwelling on that. He made himself clear last night.
NOAH TRIED TO TELL himself to breathe normally, but the jealousy and anger pulsing through him was almost too much to contain. He glared once more at Levi, as if that would magically make the man disappear.
The large, good-looking cowboy had been flirting with Scarlett, and to Noah’s chagrin, it was ticking him off. Why can’t he stick to his own guest? Noah eyed the woman old enough to be Levi’s mother. Doesn’t matter, he scolded himself. The problem here isn’t Levi. I shouldn’t be jealous. Scarlett’s isn’t mine. I have no hold over her. If she wants to flirt with every cowboy on this ranch, she has every right to do so.
“Levi kinda looks like one of the guys on the front of my books,” Scarlett mused, then grinned up at Noah. “Have any of you guys thought of earning a little income on the side?”
Noah huffed and shook his head. “Pretty sure you wouldn’t find anyone here willing to do that.” He grimaced. “I’ve never been a big fan of having my picture taken.”
“Ah well...” Scarlett sighed dramatically. “I guess the women of the world will just have to be disappointed.”
Noah snorted, but then cleared his throat when Scarlett looked up at him. “Have you ever fed chickens before?”
Scarlett’s lips pulled into a sly smile. “Nope. Just read about it.” She cocked her head. “I guess I’ve also watched it, like in Cinderella.”
Noah frowned. “What?”
Scarlett rolled her eyes. “Really? Don’t you remember how in the cartoon she dances around, singing to the chickens and feeding the mice while she spreads feed?” She nudged Noah with her elbow. “I can just see you in an apron, a song on your lips.”
Noah leaned back, completely horrified at what she was suggesting. “You can’t be serious!”
Scarlett burst out laughing, a snort slipping through in the middle. “You should see your face,” she said between breaths. “Priceless!”
Noah shook his head and some of his tension melted away. He wasn’t sure how things would be this morning, after he shut down their date last night, but things had gone a lot better than he’d expected. Hopefully that means that she realized it was for the best, or maybe she just wasn’t that into me to begin with. That last thought brought a frown to his face, but he quickly got rid of it, not wanting to have to explain anything to Scarlett.
When she gasped unexpectedly, Noah looked down to see Scarlett’s eyes widen in admiration. “Look at them! They’re gorgeous!”
He followed her gaze and landed on the chicken yard. The chickens were a mix of breeds. Noah’s mom enjoyed the variety and the colored eggs that came with it.
“I had no idea there were so many different types of chickens. What kind are those?” Scarlett asked, pointing to a dark chicken, the most common one in the group.
“Those are Rhode Island Reds,” Noah said, stopping beside her. He took a deep breath, enjoying the subtle scent of whatever soap Scarlett used. It was light and clean, just like her.
“Ooh, that sounds fantastic.” Her eyes darted around. “And those?” She pointed to a black and white speckled hen.
“Plymouth Rock.”
“Did they come over on the Mayflower?” Scarlett asked with a grin.
Noah chuckled, looking down at her. “Not that I know of. But who knows?”
Scarlett laughed and went back to studying the animals.
Noah studied her from his periphery. Her smile was wide and genuine. She was totally enjoying seeing these animals and it struck Noah as a little odd. “Haven’t you ever seen a chicken before?” he asked before he thought better of it.
Scarlett put her hands on her hips and gave him a look. “Nope.”
To say he was shocked was an understatement. “How is it possible to have never seen a chicken?” he pushed.
“Does the Discovery Channel count?” Scarlett offered, tilting her head and using a single finger to tap her lips. “Or eating at Chik-Fil-A?”
Noah snorted. “No, I suppose it doesn’t.” He smiled. “So you’ve never been out of the city?”
Scarlett shook her head. “Not once.”
“Huh.”
Scarlett turned and walked past him. “Are we gonna collect some eggs, or what?” she shot back over her shoulder. “There’s no way I’m letting Betsy have all the fun.”
Noah shook his head, still smiling. So much for being aloof this morning. All it takes is one little crook of her finger and I’ve lost all my good intentions. “Come on. I know where most of them lay.”
Scarlett beamed, and together they walked to a small shed that held the supplies they needed.
“First off, we need to put out their feed. That’ll get the old girls up and out of the house.”
Scarlett raised her eyebrows. “You mean you can’t just, like, move them? Or reach under them?”
Noah shrugged. “I suppose you can, but I’d rather not get a chunk of my arm pecked off.”
Scarlett sucked in a quick breath. “You’ve got to be joking.” Noah held perfectly still while she narrowed her eyes at him. “Chickens aren’t really that vicious, are they?”
Noah shook his head and laughed. “No.” He laughed harder when she punched his shoulder. “But still, it’s easier to do it when they’re out, eating.”
“Jerk,” she muttered through a smile.
Noah bumped her shoulder, enjoying the little thrill it sent down his arm. “If you ask nicely, I’ll even let you sing.”
Scarlett laughed under her breath, and together they carried the buckets around to the pen.
Noah went to the gate and opened it. “Come on in.”
Cautiously, Scarlett stepped inside, skittering back when a few chickens headed in her direction.
Noah held in his laughter. “They really won’t hurt you,” Noah hurried to say. “I shouldn’t have messed with you like that.”
Scarlett shrugged, still looking uneasy. “That’s okay. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Noah glanced around for Levi and Betsy, but they weren’t anywhere to be seen. Shaking his head, he locked the gate and grabbed his bucket. “Okay, these scraps can just be tossed.” Grabbing the bottom of his bucket, he threw the food pieces out into the middle of the area, the chickens going wild as they ran for the bits of fruit and vegetables.
“Whoa...” Scarlett said under her breath.
“Your turn.” Noah nodded at the food she carried.
Frowning, she grasped the bucket the same way as him and began to lift it. Instead of throwing the food, however, Scarlett’s head jerked to the side and she squeaked. Following her gaze, Noah frowned when he saw their rooster slowly walking toward them.
“Just throw the food, Scarlett,” he said. “Ole Leroy’s just hungry.”
However, as Leroy grew closer, instead of throwing the food, Scarlett began to back away from the approaching animal.
“Oh no,” Noah moaned.
CHAPTER 10
Scarlett felt like her heart might pop right out of her chest. That stupid rooster was advancing on her like she was prey or something. The bucket hung heavy in her hand as she moved away from the bird. His feathers puffed up and there was a pause in ti
me when she knew exactly what was coming next. Seconds later, the rooster spread his wings and ran straight for her.
“Shoot!” Scarlett screamed, rushing to the other side of the pen. The rooster followed and she began running in circles to get away from it. The hens pecking at the food scattered and clucked their frustration at her interruption. A few flew into the air, making Scarlett duck and cover her head to protect herself.
The bucket clanged against her shoulder and she realized she was still holding onto it. Aiming herself toward the gate, Scarlett spun and threw the bucket at the crazed chickens before turning back around and running for all she was worth toward escape.
Another chicken flew into her face and she stumbled before she could get out. Scarlett winced when her ankle took a turn, but before her face could hit the dirt, strong arms swept her up and cradled her against an equally strong chest.
“Oh!” Scarlett said breathlessly. Her arms automatically wrapped around Noah’s shoulder, holding on for dear life. After she had come back to herself from the scare, Scarlett looked into a set of delicious hazel eyes. Today his eyes were more brown than green, but they still sucked her in like a tractor beam. “Hey,” Scarlett said lamely. Hers and Noah’s face were so close to each other that it would take almost nothing to cause their lips to touch. “I didn’t know chickens could fly,” she said breathlessly, then scrunched her nose. And that was exactly what you should say to a hunk who's holding you in his arms. Real smooth, Scar.
Noah suddenly looked down, growling, and Scarlett felt his body jerk as he kicked at the rooster. “Stupid animal,” he mumbled. “Go on, Leroy. The lady isn’t for you.” Noah shook his head and Scarlett relaxed into his hold.
“Thank you for saving me from the crazy rooster,” Scarlett said, feeling more than slightly disappointed when Noah set her down near the gate. She looked around Noah’s shoulder, eyeing Leroy, who was still watching them. “Does he know I love chicken nuggets or something?” She turned back to Noah. “Or does he treat everybody like that?”