Christian’s chest tightened. He’d been so rude to her. He’d been playing this game with Maizie to avoid dealing with his own pain. Was it possible that was why she played too?
“Christian’s on my team.” Mason declared, running to Christian’s side.
“Whoever loses has milking duty with Maiz tomorrow,” Mitchell wagered.
Christian did not want to lose. Hopefully his ten-year-old sidekick had some nice tricks up his sleeve that didn’t include hitting the corner of the backboard.
Seven
Maizie finished getting the second batch of cows in and pulled out her phone to text Mitchell. He was supposed to be coming to help as soon as he got home from school, but that kid ran on his own timeline.
She checked the cows while waiting for Mitchell to respond, but a text came in from Turner instead.
Turner: I miss you.
Maizie: You saw me two hours ago at school.
Turner: *puppy dog eyes* What are you doing?
Maizie: Milking cows. You can come help if you want ;)
Turner: Sure, why not?
Mazie hadn’t expected that.
Maizie: Really?
He didn’t respond right away, and now it was time to take the milkers off. She ran to the bathroom to take a quick peek in the mirror. She didn’t look too bad, as long as she managed to stay clean. Which was an impossible feat in a milk barn. She bolted back into the barn. The cows would be hating her soon if she didn’t release them.
The door was stopped by something hard, and she crashed into the back of it. Her elbow slammed against the hard metal, and she held in a curse.
Christian popped his head around the door, and she almost tripped over her own boots.
“You know, there are better ways to say hi.” A smile teased his lips.
“Not with you. What are you doing here?” Maizie slid past him and let the cows out.
“I lost a bet,” he said, following close behind her.
Dang it, Mitchell.
That kid would do anything to get out of actual work.“Well, you can leave. My boyfriend’s coming.” Maizie started up the steps leading to the holding corral outside. She pulled on the metal handle, but the door didn’t budge. It was jammed again.Ugh.She turned to grab the crowbar and found Christian right behind her, her nose level with his chest.
“I don’t skimp on my promises,” he said, his voice low. Maizie was overly aware of his arm sliding beside her. With one arm he pulled the heavy door free, and Maizie escaped into the pen.
“Fine, just don’t get in my way.” Maizie threw over her shoulder.
“Wouldn’t dream of it, princess.”
She turned her back on him and began pushing some cows into the barn. A cow lifted its tail and Christian jumped to the side.
“Looks like she wants you out of her way too.” Maizie brought the last cow in, no thanks to Christian, and started the process all over.
“I have a way with the ladies,” he muttered, following her back into the barn.
Christian, to his credit, actually tried to help this time instead of hiding from the poop. He ventured his hand under the cow’s udder multiple times before he actually dared to touch it.
“It’s just a little manure,” Maizie teased.
