He chuckled. “You still do that?”
“Sometimes.”
His dark eyes flashed over to me. “Face it, Leah. You were dreaming.”
I bit my bottom lip. Maybe I was dreaming. The whole thing sure felt like a dream. A strange adrenaline-charged dream.
When that biker saw me, I thought for sure I was in real trouble. I remembered the way he’d grinned at me before he left. His teeth were straight and white, not what you’d expect for an outlaw.
I’d woken up this morning in bed with my shotgun next to me and an itchy red welt on my thigh that looked like a spider bite. If that was a dream, it was a very realistic one.
“I was not dreaming,” I insisted. “I was wide awake.”
Lars rubbed the back of his neck, then seemed to consider me. “All right, fine. I’ll ask around. See if anyone’s heard about a group of bikers causing trouble.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that. And thank you for repairing my fence on your day off.”
He grunted his reply and then motioned toward our younger brother’s motorhome. “Isn’t Shane helping?”
“I think so.” I glanced over. “He’s probably not awake yet. I think he has female company.”
“I don’t care. Go wake him up.” Lars sounded irritable. He still thought my buying this farm was a mistake, and unfortunately, it had created a rift between us. At the same time, he felt obliged to help me, which only irritated him further.
I wish I could say I was superwoman and that I managed this place with no one’s help, but that would be a lie.
Both of my brothers had helped. I’d tried to do everything on my own, and most of the time I’d managed fine, but after falling off the roof last winter and nearly impaling myself on a garden gnome, I’d accepted that certain jobs required assistance.
“I’m going to drive all this fencing over to your east pasture,” Lars said, sounding impatient as he opened his driver’s door. “Tell Shane to meet me there and bring his toolbox.”
“Aye, aye, Deputy.”
I heard him drive off behind me as I walked past the chicken coop and barn, heading over to Shane’s thirty-two-foot motorhome. His blue truck was parked behind it, along with a red Camry I’d never seen before.
It was warm outside, and I could tell the day was going to be a scorcher. Luckily, my animals had plenty of shady spots. I reminded myself to check their water later.
Two lawn chairs and a stone firepit were set up next to the RV. It was the kind of fancy motorhome you imagined a nice retired couple driving around in as they lived out their golden years. Not a twenty-three-year-old guy who worked full-time construction and part-time tending bar. When he asked if he could park it on my property a few months ago, I said sure. I was happy to help.
Of course, he helped me too.
Not that he seemed to mind. Shane was the only one in our family who hadn’t told me I should go back to my cubicle.
I knocked on the door. It was nine in the morning, but he’d closed the bar last night and probably didn’t get home until after two.
I knocked again.
Finally, I heard movement inside.
A few moments later, the door swung open, and a pretty young blonde stood there. She wore one of my brother’s wrinkled shirts, which appeared hastily thrown on.
“Hi,” I said. “Is Shane awake yet?”
She nodded and moved back. “He’s awake.”
I walked up the wooden steps. Inside the motorhome was stuffy with the scent of fruity perfume and young lust. “Shane?” I called out.
He emerged tanned, shirtless, and barefoot from his bedroom at the back. “Shit. Sorry, Leah.” He was holding a gray T-shirt and quickly slipped it on. “I forgot about the fence.”
“Can you still help today?”
“Sure. No problem.” He ran a hand through his bangs. His hair was layered and light brown with natural blond streaks throughout. My baby brother looked like a cute surfer. “Say, do you mind if Kayla here uses your shower? She has to get to work at the salon.”
“I have to be there by ten thirty,” she explained to me in a worried voice.
“Um, sure,” I said, noticing the hickey on her neck. There were remnants of last night’s makeup on her face, but other than that, her skin was dewy and perfect. I was only thirty-four, but somehow all of Shane’s girlfriends made me feel like an old lady. This was the third one in two weeks who’d needed to use my shower.
“After the fence, I’m going into work,” Shane said, taking a seat on the small couch, putting his socks and boots on.
“At the bar?”
He shook his head. “Matt needs some extra hands, so I told him I’d fill in at that big house by Treasure Lake.”
“Lars says you need to bring your tools.”
Shane nodded and stood up.
Kayla, who had disappeared into the bedroom, emerged now wearing a pink sundress and high-heeled sandals. She went over to my brother, who slipped his arm around her waist.
“Give us a kiss,” he crooned.
“Will I see you again?” she purred.
“Sure. Of course you will.”
I tried not to roll my eyes. Shane changed girlfriends as often as he did socks. In fact, those socks he’d put on were older than most of his relationships.
I waited as the two of them made kissy-face sounds to each other while saying goodbye.
After walking Kayla over to the house and showing her the facilities, I gave her a clean towel and wished her luck.
Since Lars had told me he didn’t need my help with the fence, I decided to spend the rest of the morning cleaning out my chicken coop. Not a fun job, but a necessary one. I gave the chickens some of their favorite scratch to distract them, and all my birds came running over.
As I used a pitchfork to haul muck into a wheelbarrow, my mind kept going back to last night and those bikers—especially the blond one. It was bizarre how I’d gotten turned on. Was it the impending danger? Did my girl parts get confused? I mean, he was quoting Nietzsche, for God’s sake. Who did that?
By the time I was done with the coop, it was nearly noon, and I was stinky and covered in sweat. My eight maidens and Cary Grant all seemed pleased as they clucked around inspecting things.
I took a break and sat down on the front porch steps with a glass of cold water. From the corner of my eye, I noticed something near the barn. I glanced over, but it was just a couple of my girls.
I took another sip of water and gazed out at the pasture. Peaceful, just the way I liked it.
Something by the barn caught my eye again. However, this time I saw a blue shirt disappear inside.
What the hell was that?
Alarm shot through me.
Did one of the bikers return?
I put my glass down, then got up and went inside the house. Recent events had me on edge. I should call Lars and Shane to come help, but they were in the east pasture. It would take time for them to get here. Instead I went to the hall closet and retrieved my shotgun.
I’d had enough and wasn’t putting up with any more trespassers.
It was a small pump action made for women, and believe me, I knew how to use it. Lars had me practice at a gun range regularly. Thankfully, I’d never had any trouble, but I slept better at night knowing I could defend myself.