RANCHER BEAR’S BABY(55)

I’d been teaching at Landing Elementary for a little over a month now and I’d learned almost instantly that I had my hands full. I couldn’t help but fall in love with the children, though. Despite their somewhat animalistic behavior at times, they were sweet in moments that stole my heart. Again, manipulative.

“I’m going to head over to the snack carts. Do you want me to grab you something?” I couldn’t stop looking at the funnel cake sign.

The Longs had gone all out. I heard they did it up like this every year, and I could certainly understand now why my kids had been looking forward to the trip since the first day of school. I’d probably be the same way in future years. The Long family had turned their ranch into a carnival, full of food, games, animals, and even a photo booth.

Every grade, from kindergarten to high school seniors, was in attendance and from the looks of things, having a blast. The air had even turned slightly cool, as though it was working in harmony with the Longs to provide the most magical day ever for the kids.

“No. Go ahead and take a break. You can take over for me later.”

I looked back at the funnel cake sign and nodded. “That sounds perfect. Thanks, Maggie.”

I said hello to fellow teachers as I passed by making my way to the food, not wanting to appear rude. They’d been a little closed off towards me, the whole town had, really, but I figured it was just their way. I’d only gotten this job offer because the previous teacher, Mary Ellen Simon, had run off with her boyfriend to Mexico. I was a last minute hire and, from what I’d heard, everyone had loved Miss Simon. I was determined to make them love me, too. I planned to stay in Landing for as long as I could, so they’d get used to me eventually.

I joined the line for the fried batter and when it was my turn, I smiled at the attractive older woman and winked before speaking. “I’m going to ask for two and say that I’m sharing with someone, but I’m not. I could smell these from across the ranch, even over the animal scent.”

She grinned and sprinkled powdered sugar generously on both plates. “We all have those days. Would you like chocolate sauce drizzled on top?”

I thought about it for a second and then nodded. “I’ve never had a funnel cake with chocolate sauce, but it sounds divine. Thank you so much.”

She passed me the plates. “Feel free to come back through to get more for your other friends, honey.”

I laughed and headed off towards the picnic tables to eat in peace. As much as I loved children, eating while they were underfoot was a chocolate sauce smeared across the front of my dress disaster waiting to happen. I sat down and hungrily shoveled food into my mouth. I’d skipped breakfast in my eagerness to get to school early to prepare for my kindergarten class’s first ever field trip.

I people-watched as I ate, taking the time to make sure none of the adults looked like they needed help with any of the students, before relaxing and watching just for fun. All of the students seemed to be having a blast.

I’d worried that the older students might find it boring, but the Longs were a smart bunch. I guess the ranch was run by several brothers who all appeared to be quite good looking. I spotted at least three of them, positioned at activities, with long lines of teenage girls waiting to do whatever they were offering.

I couldn’t help but giggle at one little girl who demanded one of the Long brothers hold her in his arms the whole time. She was probably eight, but she seemed to know quality when she saw it. The rancher was being a team player and going along with it.

I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and turned to catch a very tall, very muscled man disappearing behind one of the barns. Something about him startled me and I suddenly felt a rush of heat spread over my skin and a crackle of something like an electric pulse surge through me. Wow. I continued to stare at the spot where he’d disappeared until I’d convinced myself that he wasn’t going to reappear.

A few minutes later, though, I spotted a few older kids walking off in the same direction. No one had specified that any part of the ranch was off limits, but it worried me nonetheless to see them going off by themselves.

I quickly downed my funnel cake and tossed the plates in the trash barrel before heading off after them. I’d worn flip flops and I had a hard time not announcing my arrival with click clack they made.

It turned out that I didn’t need to worry. The kid’s laughter was more than loud enough to conceal my sounds. I rounded the corner of the barn and spotted them, leaning against the barn wall, lighting cigarettes, and staring at the hunk I’d seen earlier.

He was a distance away from them, completely ignoring them as he chopped wood like a madman. His T-shirt clung to his back and shoulders in a way that made my body pulse a little harder. He had longish, dirty blonde hair that was partially covered by a large cowboy hat. As I watched, he stopped what he was doing, pulled off the hat, and pulled up the bottom of his shirt to wipe his face free of sweat.