“I grew up working my family’s ranch and shoeing horses at night to earn money. Started working here during the summers when I was in high school. I guess all together, almost fifteen years.”
“What do you like about working here?” she asked curiously.
“For starters, it’s a job.” He paused thinking over his response. “Like most cowboys, I enjoy the feeling of freedom that comes from working outdoors and I like the hard work. I’d never make it behind a desk all day, just the idea of it makes my skin crawl. Money is shit, and the job is dirty, but a shower’s never felt better than after a day spent riding.”
Gazing out over the land, she remained quiet, contemplating as she soaked in the breathtaking views spanning 360 degrees across the hill country. Hot air blew through the open windows drying the perspiration on her neck, the salty white crystals tightening her skin.
“Can I be frank?”
He slid her a look. “No point in beating around the bush, is there?”
Ember hesitated, unsure if she should ask. “Could you make better money working on a different ranch?”
Lifting his black hat, Travis raked his fingers through his hair. “Yes ma’am.”
“Mr. Montgomery speaks so highly of you, and I’m assuming my father did too, but if the money is shit, what keeps you here?”
Eyes wide, apprehension gathered in the deep breath he forced from his lungs. “You really want me to answer that?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure, but knowledge is power and the only way I’m going to know is if I ask. So, yeah, I do.”
“Since you’re looking for honesty,” he paused. “I’m considering other prospects that have been brought to my attention. However, Mr. Walker always encouraged me to work with horses more than cattle, said it was my gift, so I figure I owe it to him to stick around till you figure out if you’re staying put or tuckin’ tail. Plus, I’d never leave Mr. Montgomery in a bind.”
“You’d make better wages?”
“Sure would.”
Rounding a corner on the dirt road, a bright red drilling truck came into view. A small group of men gathered near the site, clothes spattered in mud and grease, wearing their filth like a badge of honor. Mr. Montgomery lifted his head from the project at hand, greeting her with a fortuitous look of surprise.
Ember certainly didn’t have the right to ask him to stay, but was glad Travis decided to stick around…at least for now. There was still something there, an inkling of vagueness about Travis that left her confused, yet she felt an odd sense of comfort knowing he remained true to her father and the ranch.
“I appreciate that you’re sticking around.”
He gave her a look, straight and on point, filled with wisdom beyond his years. “Every man out here is hoping you’ll do the same.”
No pressure.
Chapter 13
Nash
Nash sat in his truck at the end of Ember’s drive waiting, impatiently, for his watch to read six o’clock. Minutes ticked by with agonizing slowness.
Intimate visions from the night before, her lush, raspberry lips wrapped around his cock had played through his mind all day muddying the complex web of shrewd business strategies he’d set in place the day he thrust himself into the oil industry.
He shouldn’t have kissed her.
He had no business screwing her…at least not in bed.
And he most definitely should’ve never asked to see her again.
Throughout the day, Nash pulled out his phone no less than half a dozen times with the intent of cancelling their dinner date. However, the disappointment that had clouded her sleepy eyes earlier that morning when she thought he’d bolted, stabbed at the thick, impenetrable fortress built around his heart.
He’d intended to leave before she woke and never look back. He even made it halfway to the front door, but Bee caught him by surprise with coffee and tea in hand. One glimpse of Ember lying facedown, dark hair disheveled and covering her beautiful face, nearly dropped him to his knees. He’d never seen anything so beautiful.
The plans he’d previously set in motion for Ember Thompson were suddenly the furthest thing from his mind. His typically steadfast, and in some cases ruthless determination, clouded by the curves of her tan body sprawled across the crisp white sheets, squashing every lame excuse he could come up with.
Closing his eyes to the catastrophe, the sweetest catastrophe he’d ever tasted, Nash dropped his head back against the leather seat rest and blew out a deep breath of frustration. There was no point in dragging it out because at some point there was gonna be hell to pay.
And he knew all too well that the day of reckoning was never far around the corner.
Good things never stuck around.
No matter how hard he tried.
Another vision of her long, dark hair falling all around him as she smiled down at him, lips soft and sexy, sifted through his thoughts. His dick hardened beneath the confines of his gray pants and a low, agitated groan filled the cab of his truck.
It was foolish to pursue her.
To kiss her.
To fuck her.
Ember was nothing but trouble.
Trouble I want to slip my dick into. Again.
Nash opened his eyes. The Walker Ranch sign, rusted and worn, stared down at him through the windshield of his truck. He could practically hear Ben Walker’s scratchy laughter raining down on him from the heavens above.
The digital clock on the dash ticked over to six o’clock.
“I bet you’re getting a good fucking chuckle out of this, aren’t you, old man?” he grumbled, dropping the gear into drive. Not wanting to appear too eager, he retracted his foot off the pedal, slowing his rush.
You’re not eager.
You’re horny.
Damn it! You’re eager.
Glancing his combative reflection in the mirror, he muttered, “You’re a fucking idiot, that’s what you are.”
Bee greeted him at the door with a knowing smile and a glass of iced tea. “Back so soon? Nash Harris, you never cease to amaze me.”
“Hey, Miss Bee.” He grinned, accepting the cold glass. “I’m here to pick up Ember. She about ready?”
Surprise flashed across her plump petite features. “She’s not here.”
A good ol’ fashion round of rejection twisted in his gut, quickly erasing the smile from his face and adding yet another layer of confusion to his internal struggle.
When he didn’t respond, Bee’s eyes softened as she continued. “Let me get her on the radio. Pump went down on a well early this morning. They’ve been at it all day.”
The muscle near his jaw ticked. “Na, that’s all right. Just let her know I stopped—”
Holding up her index finger, she gave him a pleasant, persistent smile and pulled a radio from her waist belt. “Monty, you got Ember right there with you?”
Nash was smart enough to know when he was being stood up and he didn’t plan on sticking around to feel the sting of rejection. He took a swig of tea and walked across the porch, setting the glass on a small iron table between two rocking chairs.
“Yes ma’am, she’s right here,” Mr. Montgomery informed.
“Can you let her know that Nash is here to pick her up?”