Sassy Cowgirl Kisses by Kathy Fawcett
Chapter 9
West Ranch hadn’t been looking for summer office help. Rowdy made that clear to Sassy in their first email exchange, back in the spring. But she was persistent. To his credit, Rowdy emailed her back every time.
“Send your resume and we’ll keep it on file,” he told her.
Like a dog with a bone, she sent Rowdy a note every few days, hoping to wear him down. “I need work experience more than money. Maybe you would consider a low-paid internship,” she countered. “I can help manage the office, and shadow the hands when possible. I have a fancy new degree and zero ranch experience.”
“Here at West Ranch, we believe men and women should be paid fairly for their work, so I can’t agree to those terms,” Rowdy replied.
“Another reason to join the team. Your work ethic is refreshing,” Sassy countered, trying a little flattery.
“Other ranches might be hiring, I can put in a good word,” he’d offered.
“But West Ranch is the biggest and the best, and I’d rather not settle.”
At last, Rowdy relented and offered her a summer position in the office. “We do have a few loose ends that need tying up. Our on-site bookkeeper left suddenly for a family emergency. I’ve been picking up the slack, but numbers aren’t my strong suit—forgive the pun. Perhaps you can help us out, and I can get back on the range.”
“That sounds perfect,” Sassy told Rowdy with great relief. She’d been trying to keep the desperation from her tone, not wanting to tell him, or anybody, her real reason for coming to West Ranch.
Not yet.
Rowdy wouldn’t let her anywhere near the ranch if he knew, she was sure. Now that she was here, she told herself to just be cool, and lay low until the time was right. And for goodness sakes, push any thoughts of that young, handsome Ash into the background.
He’s not making it easy, Sassy thought to herself as he drove the ATV towards the creek.
Every time she was in a little bit of trouble, there he was. Like earlier, when she got up too quickly to walk to the filing cabinets. Sassy figured the worst of the dizziness was past, until she found herself in the very capable arms of the new summer ranch hand.
“This high mountain altitude takes some getting used to,” he said.
Rowdy cautioned Sassy about the same thing a few weeks earlier, when she wondered aloud why she felt glued to her swivel chair.
“My legs feel so heavy, like I can’t stand,” she half laughed, half whined to Rowdy. Instantly, she was sorry to have mentioned any of her body parts—Sassy liked to stay under the radar as much as possible. Her “natural beauty,” as her mama called it, was like a bright lantern she tried to keep doused.
“Takes a while. Drink a lot of water,” Rowdy advised.
Ash was also the one who rescued her the day before, when she was stranded. And all Sassy knew about him was his first name.
Gunnar and Rowdy weren’t any help. Earlier that morning, they simply said one more ranch hand was expected. “We’ll find some thankless job for him, as a welcome,” Gunnar told Rowdy, and the two smiled wicked grins.
What she did know what that he was a lot better looking standing in front of her desk than he appeared on the deserted road. And even more handsome—devastating, really—holding her after catching her. With his arms around her waist, she got the full affect; the kindness and concern in his eyes, the highlights in his dark hair, the dimple that appeared in his cheek when he moved the muscles in his jaw, and even the scent of his morning shower.
He smelled good. But everyone on the ranch did first thing in the morning. Once he started hauling the felled tree from the creek, with the hot sun beating down, that good smell would be gone in no time.
Smiling, Sassy thought back to the day before, when she sat on the trunk of her car and tried not to laugh as Ash shepherded the sheep off the road, so a tow truck could reach her.
“Shoo! Shoo!” he called, trying to gently prod their hind quarters with his makeshift staff from a fallen tree limb.
Maaa maaa,they called back in protest, digging their hooves into the asphalt and gravel.
“Come on boys, work with me here. The pretty lady has to get to town, and I have to get home.” He sounded so sincere when he spoke, Sassy found herself rooting for him.
Surprisingly, the sheep responded to his heartfelt plea, and so did she. It wasn’t the first time a man had called her pretty, far from it. But it sounded different coming from the mouth of this very young man—it was pure and sweet, as if he’d never said “pretty lady” before in his life.
The way the boy spoke the words sounded just a little bit sacred to Sassy, and something near her heart squeezed tightly.
Once he had the road cleared, Tig’s Tow truck came over the hill. He greeted the driver as an old friend, and gestured to Sassy, who had put clothes on over her bikini. Then he tipped his hat to her and got in his truck to wait and follow. And he was gone.
Until this morning.