Caleb's Blessing(13)

In the end common sense won out and I reined in my libido. She was so open though, the way she looked at me with just the right amount of interest in her bright eyes.

I didn’t push for more though since I could sense her hesitancy, which was totally understandable, but there was no mistaking her response to my kiss. I figure I could live off of that for a while.

I picked some wild flowers for her hair and told her tall tales and lies about my days on the circuit; all the while dying to know how long was long enough to wait.

She seemed freer out here, with the sun shining down on her, the tall grass swaying around her as she sat on the blanket I’d found in the truck.

She hadn’t laughed again since we left the stables, but at least that beaten look she’d worn was fading fast. I eased her little hand into mine and held my breath to see what she’d do. When she didn’t pull away, fuck if I didn’t feel like I’d won the grand prize all over again.

We spent the rest of the morning holding hands, as I showed her around my land. It had been a while since I’d seen it as anything more than the place I used to make a living. A while since I’d stopped to take in the beauty all around me.

But watching her, listening to her and answering her curiosity, I saw what I’d seen that first time I looked at the land. I had all but given up hope of ever finding a woman who would see it as I had then.

For all that she came from a small town, she was a city girl, who seemed fascinated by ranch life and was full of questions herself.

Around noon I heard the truck coming toward us, I hadn't realized so much time had passed already. I could’ve gone all day just sitting and holding hands while listening to that voice of hers. My dick might not thank me for it, but I could’ve done it.

Mikey was behind the wheel with a stupid ass grin on his face. If he gets out I’ll shoot his ass and bury him out here. He had the good sense to stay his ass inside and lean out the window.

"The guys thought you two kids might've run into some trouble or something, seeing as how it's high noon and you haven't done a lick of work all day boss and Miss. Amanda you promised us lunch but nothing doing."

"Oh no I'm so sorry, the time got away from me. I'll make something fast and easy not to worry." She made to head off in the direction of the other truck but I stopped her by taking her hand and pulling her back to my side.

I took a step towards him to wipe that damn smug look off his face. "She's not your damn cook Mikey you ass and you can tell the others to..."

"Uh-uh-uh, there's a lady present boss." The little son of a bitch had a boyish grin on his mug.

Oh he was enjoying this shit, I wonder how much he'd enjoy my boot up his ass?

"You can tell the others to see about their own lunch same as always." I glared at him but the young pup was playing it up to the hilt, giving her puppy dog looks like a damn ten year old.

"But it's Simon’s turn to cook boss and you know he sucks. Please Miss. Amanda, I'll show you around the ranch myself tomorrow I promise. But please don't make me eat Simon’s food again." The idiot clutched his heart like he was about to die; I guess it was okay since it got her to laugh.

My ass you’re showing her around, fucking poacher. I had visions of letting Brutus free on his ass when we got back. That ought to lay him up for a day or two. I shook my head at my own thoughts. I’m really losing it.

"Get out of here Mikey, we'll be up at the house in a little bit." I dared him with my eyes to argue. The fool waited until Amanda was looking off in the direction of the call of a whippoorwill to make kissing faces at me; ass.

I growled and he laughed before he turned the truck around and headed back with three wild beeps of the horn.

"You ready to go back baby?" I pushed her hair behind her ear and touched the tip of her nose with my finger.

"Yeah, gotta get the boys their lunch."

I mumbled my answer to that, seeing as how she was indeed a lady and didn't need to be hearing what I thought of them right now. Assholes.

It was nothing for me to take her hand as we headed back to the truck I'd driven us here in.

There was a burning question on my mind that I was afraid to ask for fear of pushing her too far too fast, but I needed to know.

I put the truck in gear but let it idle as I got my thoughts together. She'd only been here a short time after all and though I was in no way trying to rush her into anything, I knew it was only a matter of time before I wanted more.

It's funny, I could face down a mad as fuck bull in an enclosed pen but the thought of asking her the question on my mind scared me. She turned to look at me when she realized we weren't moving.

"Amanda, do you think, I mean is it even a little bit possible...dammit." I took a deep breath and looked at her fully.