Sassy Cowgirl Kisses by Kathy Fawcett

Chapter 7

Leaving Michigan had been hard for Ash, but returning to West Ranch was the right thing to do, he was certain. With his degree, Ash stood tall, ready for his first “real” job. He wasn’t the unwanted orphan, tagging along on weekends with whichever of the Wests had time to teach him a thing or two—generous though they were with their time.

“Assistant Manager, with a salary and profit sharing,” Gunnar told him at graduation, with a clap on the back. “Same deal me and the other brothers got after graduating.”

The other brothers,was a term that played over and over in Ash’s head like a ticker tape parade, as he showered and dressed for the ranch. He was one of the “other brothers,” and could hardly wait to show up and prove himself. If their enthusiasm at his college graduation was any indication, there would be another celebration upon his arrival and Ash was excited for the acknowledgment and attention.

Instead, he found the parking lot nearly empty of the ATVs and Jeeps used for day-to-day business—where was everyone? He was later than usual, sure. He thought everyone would expect it after his long drive. Still, Ash felt deflated walking into the big empty room. His bootsteps echoed off the poured cement floor, and Gunnar and Rowdy’s offices were dark.

But with a start, Ash realized the room wasn’t as empty as he’d thought.

“There’s a dead tree in the creek, up by the gorge,” a voice said, coming from a girl behind a desk. Ash didn’t see her when he walked in; her face was half hidden by her large computer screen, which held her full attention.

He immediately recognized the yellow waves of her hair.

“You need to go clear it,” she continued, still not looking at him. “It’s blocking the drinking water for the herd. If you don’t know where it is, I’ll get you a map.”

Ash was stunned—the beautiful Bo Peep was sitting behind the desk of the ranch office!

Because she wasn’t looking up, the girl couldn’t see his delight and surprise, or the frown that quickly followed. Ash expected to at least find Gunnar and Rowdy in the ranch office to greet him on his first official morning, maybe even Gray. He didn’t need a hero’s welcome, but a welcome of any kind to his new position would have been nice.

After all, Ash didn’t have to come back to West Ranch. He could have stayed in Michigan, or anywhere in the world, for that matter. With his degree, experience, and the West name, he had job offers and ranches vying for his attention.

“You know, there’s livestock to manage right here in Michigan,” his friend Erik mentioned one day while at the lake. “It would be great to have you nearby.”

“Don’t think I’m not tempted,” Ash said, but knew he’d never not go back to Wyoming when his visit was over.

Now, a dark cloud passed through his fragile heart as he gazed at the nearly empty room—the indoor picnic tables were abandoned, and the food tables were being cleared by the kitchen staff. His brothers were nowhere to be seen and a girl who wouldn’t even look at him was barking orders, like he was a day hand.

She obviously didn’t know who he was.

“Oh, I know where it is, Bo Peep, but what makes you think I’m going to do that thankless task?” Ash asked, sounding petulant and prickly, even to his own ears.

The girl paused only a moment from clacking on her computer keyboard, then kept working. Her head was down, and she refused to give him the courtesy of a glance, but couldn’t completely hide the smile playing on the corner of her mouth.

“Bosses orders. You’re the last ranch hand to arrive. Rowdy said latecomer gets the muddy creek. Oh, and he wanted me to tell you work starts at seven, not mid-morning.”

Ranch hand!Ash thought. She doesn’t know that I’m the boss. One of them, anyway.

The girl swiveled in her chair, then stood quickly and walked towards a filing cabinet. She couldn’t see Ash’s jaw drop as he took her in.

He knew better… he knew not to judge a girl by her curves and golden hair. His brothers and sisters-in-law had drilled that into him. And yet, the way she floated with a carefree walk made him forget everything else.

Ash stood still, trying to breathe her in. She smelled like fresh air and wild clover.

“Plenty of hands looking for work this summer,” she said, finally turning towards him. “I wouldn’t be late again if I were… you. It’s you.”

The girl froze where she stood and looked mutely at Ash’s eyes—when her own eyes glazed over and began to flutter heavily. In a flash, Ash saw her knees buckle just slightly and he knew she was about to fall.

“Whoa,” he yelled, lurching forward to close the gap, catching her in his arms. Ash wrapped both hands around her torso and waist and pulled her tight to him, allowing time for her limp body to recover. He could feel her long legs trying to get purchase on the pine floor, but didn’t want to let go too soon.

The girl moaned a little and shook her head. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck like a life support ring, and gripped him tightly. Anyone walking into the office would see their embrace and think they were dancing, or sharing a lover’s first kiss—two things Ash silently added to his summer wish list.

“Hey there,” he crooned softly. “You okay?” His hands, he realized, were resting on the bare skin on her back, under the soft cotton of her shirt. Quickly forgotten was the anger he’d felt towards his family at not welcoming him today, and the growing impatience at the way this mysterious girl had bossed him around.

But why did she faint?

“Oh… wow…” With effort, she found her strength and began to pull away. “I thought I was over the altitude sickness, but I guess not. Rowdy and Gunnar warned me against making sudden moves.”

The girl laughed a little as Ash led her to an office chair, then dashed to the refrigerator to retrieve two bottles of water.

“Sip one, and I’ll hold the other on the back of your neck.”

She looked up skeptically, but reached behind her head to pull her locks over one shoulder. Dipping her head like a delicate gazelle, she offered her neck to Ash while gazing up with soft suede-brown eyes.

Ash’s hand shook as he placed the water bottle on her flawless skin. When she moaned again, Ash thought it might be his turn to lose his footing and fall to the floor.

“Second time you saved me,” she said, “I guess I should know your name.”

His mouth was dry. When he did speak, he purposely withheld his last name. She followed suit.

“Ash.”

“I’m Sassy.”

“Hi Sassy,” he recovered as she straightened her torso and inhaled deeply.

“Well, I guess the dead tree it is,” he fumbled, “if you’re okay alone, I’d better be going.”

“Want some help? I’ve been staring at this computer screen too long and could use some fresh air.”

She smiled at him, and it was the loveliest thing he’d ever seen—prettier even than a Lake Michigan sunset, or the blue of Lake Charlevoix sparkling like diamonds in the sun. Prettier than the waterfalls in the deep gorge just outside of West Gorge, or the fluttering aspen leaves in September.

“It’s going to be a muddy mess, but come along if you want…” Ash managed to say, in a voice that sounded like he was an adolescent again. But Sassy was such a surprise, and he desperately wanted to be next to her, and to talk with her. If only he trusted his own abilities. Could he drive the ATV without crashing into a boulder? Could he operate the chainsaw without cutting off his own limbs?

“Great,” Sassy said, standing slowly to gather her sunglasses and work gloves. “Rowdy told me to take breaks from the spreadsheets and tag along here and there, to get to know the operations of the ranch. I’ve gone on a few outings but the creek is new to me.”

So is this feeling.Ash could feel a herd of butterflies stampeding wildly in his stomach.

“As long as I’m spending the summer on a Wyoming ranch,” Sassy said, slipping her arm through his, “I might as well learn to be a cowgirl.”