I stop and place my hand on my hip, cringing immediately at the thought of shit touching my skin. Dropping my hand, I look Tyler square in the eyes. Had he known who I was when he picked me up yesterday we could’ve hung out, but no, he had to be an ass of epic portions and ignore me. I thought for sure he’d at least be a little bit of a salvation for me.
“I’m here doing the work you said I had to do!” I wave my hand widely at the many piles that I’m supposed to move out to the “back forty,” as he called it. After Tyler’s early lunch, I was given my list of chores. At first I thought it was a joke. I couldn’t believe my aunt and uncle expected someone like me to get dirty. Sadly, I was wrong, and I was ushered out the door. Even my cry about homework fell on deaf ears. I’m sure that comes later. I’m learning quickly that we use nature as a clock on the ranch.
“I see that. You’ve been out here for two hours and have yet to fill one barrow. You might want to pick it up because it’s gotta get done and it’s either today or tomorrow.”
“Whatever,” I spit out as I dig the pitchfork into another overheating pile of crap. “What do you want, Tyler?”
“Well…”
I stop what I’m doing and immediately regret it. He’s taken off his hat and is running his hand over the top of his freshly shaved head. When we were little I used to tease him about his curls, but he doesn’t have them now and a part of me is wondering if they’ll reappear if he grows out his hair. I suppose this heat doesn’t mix well with longer hair. Lord knows I’m sweating something fierce. His blue eyes are a stark contrast against his tan skin, making them sparkle as if looking out over the ocean. His tan is real from working, not the fake type that the guys in the City often spend most of their time achieving under bulbs. I would know, since it was an every other day stop for me. On Tyler though, it’s sexy, appealing and sadly the opportunities I have to see him shirtless no longer continue.
I look over his shoulder at Jeremiah who is taking out one of the horses. He’s screaming something incomprehensible, which causes Tyler to look as well.
“Ignore him.”
“I plan on it,” I say automatically. It’s dawned on me that getting along with Tyler and Jeremiah will make my time here more manageable, but I’m not here to establish the connection we had when I used to live here. Those days are long gone and overtaken by superficial thoughts and selfishness. I’m here to do my penance and get the hell on a plane to Paris. I have a goal and I won’t let some country boys ruin it for me.
“Can I get back to work, Boss?” Tyler blanches at my choice of words, which gives me very little satisfaction. I want to take back my words but am afraid to show him that I care. He didn’t care about me yesterday. Why should I show him my true feelings?
“Actually, Aunt Sue has asked that I take you into town. She thinks you need some clothes suitable for working on the ranch.”
I shake my head. “She just wants me to dress more like her.”
“Don’t know, don’t care, Savannah. I have to go into town, she mentioned me taking you, said it might be nice if we stopped for dinner. I’m leaving in fifteen minutes.”
Tyler doesn’t wait for me to respond. He turns and leaves me ankle deep in manure. I freeze when he takes off his shirt; watching the sun hit his back makes me ponder how different my life can be here if I let down my guard. Thing is, I did that once and that’s how I ended up back in his Podunk town. I bet Tyler knows I’m watching him as he bends down to pick up the hose. He turns on the water and splashes himself. The droplets glisten in the sun as they traverse down each ridge on his back making me wish I had a towel to offer. He doesn’t exist where I’m from and I can’t exist here.
“Savannah?”
His voice breaks my daydream and I find him standing in front of me. His chest is wet and drying quickly from the penetrating sun. My eyes travel down the front of his body. There isn’t a patch of hair until his belly button and then… I force myself to look away.
“Why can’t you call me Vanna?”
His lips pull into a thin line as he shakes his head. “Because that’s not who you are to me, sweetheart.”
Rolling my eyes, I rest my hip against the pitchfork. I look at him questioningly, fearful of what might come out of my mouth if I speak.
“I think you should go in and shower. Let me show you around.”
“Is that so?”
He nods. “Jeremiah and I hang out at this place called Reds, you might like it.”
“I’m underage in case you’ve forgotten.”
“I haven’t, but they don’t care, and no one is sayin’ you have to drink. You can come or not, don’t matter none to me. You have fifteen minutes.”
This time he walks away and right into the barn, out of sight, but not out of mind. I don’t know how I’m going to spend day after day working with him. He’s my boss for the summer and there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it.
Chapter 7 – Tyler
The radio plays one of my favorite songs and by favorite, I mean one that I’ll dance to at Reds. I think my back is permanently slouched from leaning over and looking out the window for Savannah. The clock on the dashboard tells me that I’ve sat in my truck ten minutes longer than I said I would. One quick look at the front door and I know she’s not coming. If I were a betting man I’d say she went inside and asked her Aunt Sue about shopping. Sue would’ve likely played along for a few minutes, but Savannah’s smart and she’d catch on. Her aunt didn’t suggest shopping. I just wanted to get her away from the ranch so I could see if the girl I once knew was still inside. I just want to see her smile. She hasn’t done that since she arrived, granted she’s been here barely twenty-four hours, but still. A girl’s gotta smile and from what I remember, Savannah has a killer one.
I drive away without looking back. The dust cloud behind me makes it impossible to stare at the house in my rear view mirror. I should be thankful that I can’t see it. I’d probably throw the truck in reverse and go drag her out of the house kicking and screaming. Of course that means I’d have to put her over my shoulder and hold her legs down with my arm, which would undoubtedly come in contact with her ass and that would likely be my undoing. Yes, it’s a very good thing I can’t see the McGuire house right now.
Everything in my head is telling me to ignore her. To let her do her thing and not even bother making small talk. Uncle Bobby told me that she’s off to Paris as soon as the summer’s over, so getting attached only means heartache. Not that my heart beats for her or anything. But the thought of what Savannah was like when we were kids still lingers in the back of my mind. I know that Savannah is in there somewhere; she just needs to be let out. The girl I remember would’ve mounted any one of our mares for an early morning ride and would’ve have told her uncle exactly what he can do with that chore list. Although watching Savannah in those outlawed shorts and her aunt’s muck boots was comical, I’d rather see her dress appropriately for working on the ranch. The last thing we need is for her to hurt herself or get some pesky bugs biting up her legs. Hell, maybe she needs to be taught how to live on a ranch. I suppose living in the concrete city, you forget what it’s like to stop and smell the roses, or saddle up a horse and take a day trip out yonder. Maybe I’m just the guy to reacquaint her with life in the country, or maybe I just need to stay away from the enigma that is Savannah McGuire.
Coming to Reds was a bad idea. Inviting Savannah to come with me was even worse. At this rate, I’m destined to screw up something major and cause an epic catastrophe or go home with someone I shouldn’t. That someone just walked into Reds and will surely be my breaking point tonight. Reds is packed and there isn’t a place to park that won’t make me walk a hundred yards to get in the door. When I spot Jeremiah’s truck, I park in front of him, blocking him in. I figure I’ll end up leaving before him anyway so it shouldn’t matter. I take one look in the mirror and give myself a pep talk. I can go in, have a beer, be cordial and go