“I wanted to tell the chef that I’ve been enjoying his food. Would that be alright?”
“He left for the night. After he finishes cooking, he peels out of here.” She blushed, realizing she’d probably said too much. “I mean, he has the rest of the evening off after preparing dinner.”
“I see.” Across the room, I spotted Tyler, who was constantly zipping around on a golf cart or literally running around the ranch. Currently, he was wiping down countertops. “You seem to wear a lot of hats around here, Tyler.”
His grin was infectious. “That is true. I like it though. I’ve always had a lot of energy to burn. Got me into trouble in school. I do better when I’m busy all the time.”
“It’s true,” the girl said. “He’s always been that way.” As she talked, her hands worked in the sudsy water of the deep sink, scrubbing pots.
“Seems like you’re in the right job, then.”
“Yeah, and Matthew is a great boss. I learn a lot from him. I want to run my own ranch someday, a place where at-risk kids can come and be around nature. I think being outside and around animals can help people. I know it helped me.”
“That’s a pretty awesome mission. I’d like to hear more about it someday.” I meant that sincerely. People definitely didn’t give Gen Z enough credit. If anyone saved the world, it would be these kids.
His eyes lit up with surprised delight. “Sure! I’d be happy to tell you more.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Goodnight, Mrs. Wagonblast!”
I’d never get used to that name.
With nothing left to do, I started the short walk back to my cabin. Evening had fallen, and I was enjoying the stars. As I contemplated which book to read at bedtime, a sound came out of nowhere, and it took me several seconds to process that it was getting closer. A slight tremor of the earth below my feet turned into a light drumbeat and then a pounding. But where was it coming from? I spun around and saw it, a herd of beasts bearing down on me, dust flying up around them.
I only had time to gasp before the cows were upon me. I pulled my arms close to my body, trying to make myself a smaller target, and clamped my eyes shut. The cacophony of their hooves was deafening as they hurtled past me. Time stood still and only one thought ran through my head: please, don’t let me die. I’m not ready yet.
When I dared to open my eyes, the cows were running off into the distance, taking their cloud of dirt with them. I inhaled a shuddering breath and looked down to make sure everything was still there. Feet. Knees. Hands. I was intact, at least physically. As the realization of what had just happened set in, my legs shuddered, and I looked for something to grab onto for support. Fortunately, there was a low fence nearby, and I sagged against it, clutching onto a post with both hands.
“Lauren!” Matthew’s voice rang out as he sprinted toward me. I’d never been so happy to see someone in my life. “You alright?”
When he was close enough, I launched myself at him, flinging my arms around his waist in a hug he clearly hadn’t anticipated, as he swayed backwards on impact. I needed to hold onto something solid. Something that wasn’t trying to kill me.
“Cows.” His broad chest muffled my words as I clung to him with all my might.
Tenderly, he wrapped his arms around me, smoothing one hand over the back of my head. “I’m so sorry. Someone left a gate open today. They don’t normally get in here, and they got spooked by something.”
Sensing that he was about to let go, I pulled him closer. He smelled like fresh hay and Ivory soap, a surprisingly heady combination. “They ran straight for me.”
“They weren’t trying to hurt you, I promise.” He caressed my back in soothing circles. “You’re safe now.”
A horrifying image of the cows trampling the Jernigan children ran through my head. “Don’t you need to go round them up?”
“Tyler and Walt are on it. Walt is the one who radioed to say they’d gotten in.”
“Oh.” Even though I would have been perfectly happy to spend the rest of the evening in his arms, I reluctantly released him and stepped back. He must have thought I was a loon, latching onto him that way. “I’m alright now. Sorry for jumping at you like that.”
I looked up at him, afraid that he would wear an awkward expression because of what I’d done. Female guests probably didn’t violently hug him every day. Instead, what I saw in Matthew’s eyes was heat, the same kind I felt when I was around him.
“You can jump at me any time.”
His deep voice created an ache low in my belly. Desire pinged between us…
Cows are back in the pasture. Sorry about that. Guest left a gate open. Over.
I looked around, but it was Walt’s voice blasting through the walkie attached to Matthew’s belt.
Matthew sighed and brought the walkie toward his mouth. “Thanks, Walt.” He attached it to his belt again, and his voice took on a more businesslike tone. “Are you sure you’re okay? Can I have someone bring a cup of tea to your cabin?”
