“That’s a good boy,” I tell Racer once I secure the bit in his mouth and put the bridle over his head. I slowly pet him and give positive reinforcements until he’s used to the sensation. We’ve been working together for a couple of weeks, and he’s already making good progress.
I train him for another hour—setting the saddle on his back and adding some weight so he can get used to it. Eventually, Racer will be used on guided tours.
After we’re done, I put Racer in the main pasture to graze, and I get a text from Grayson.
Grayson: Meeting for brunch in ten.
On the early mornings when we’re too busy to eat breakfast, we go after the rush. That usually means Maize isn’t as busy, and I can attempt to get more than one-word responses from her.
Gavin: I’ll be there.
I park at the B&B, a place that’s become my second home, and get out of the truck. After I stroll inside, I immediately scan the area for Maize. Though I don’t see her, I can hear her laughter. Once I’m in the dining area, I see Grayson sitting at a table with Riley and Diesel, and he’s chatting with Maize and John.
“Mornin’,” I bellow, tapping my hat toward Maize as she glares at me. “You look pretty today.”
She sighs, then rolls her eyes before walking away without a word.
Yeah, I’m used to that reaction. Not sure why she’s hell-bent on ignoring me or denying our night together, but I’m determined to figure it out no matter how long it takes.
“Tell me again how much game you’ve got.” Diesel barks out a laugh.
“Trust me, it’s not my game that’s the issue. It’s her,” I counter, flashing an apologetic look at her dad before he murders me for talking about his daughter.
“I’ve raised that girl for twenty-five years, and I’m still trying to figure her out, so good luck.” John chuckles before leaving us to ourselves.
“Great,” I mutter.
Once I’ve filled a plate with food, I take a seat next to Grayson.
“Dude, I’m telling you. These Bishop women are as complicated as hell. Don’t waste your time trying to figure them out because you’ll go crazy tryin’. It’s a goddamn miracle Diesel ended up with one,” Grayson says, stabbing a hash brown with his fork.
“Hey, that’s my sister,” Riley warns. Before I arrived, it came out that Diesel and Rowan had been secretly dating. While they were taking it slow, Diesel learned he was a dad. When Chelsea, the woman he had a one-night stand with, brought their son to visit, she made a move. Diesel confessed he was in love with someone else. Shortly after, the whole Bishop family knew, and Riley blew a gasket, punching Diesel in the face. I would’ve loved to have seen it all go down.
“I’m just callin’ it how I see it.” Grayson shrugs, then looks at me. “Take it from someone who’s under Kenzie’s wrath for no damn reason, just walk away before she fucks you up for good.” I can tell he’s talking from experience by the pained expression on his face. “Thank God she’s back at college now. I won’t have to deal with her devil glares and bad attitude until Thanksgiving.”
“Maize’s too nice to hate you for no reason,” Diesel says, then eyes me. “So, there’s gotta be more to this story.”
I haven’t told anyone about our night together and don’t plan to. Considering she won’t acknowledge what happened, she probably wouldn’t appreciate them finding out from me.
“She hasn’t had the best dating experience,” Riley explains. “And she won’t give anyone who works on the ranch a chance.”
“All I’ve tried to do is talk to her,” I counter. “That’s it.”
“It’d be in your best interest if you didn’t,” Riley adds. “Trust me. I nearly knocked this one’s teeth out when I found out he was sleepin’ with my sister behind my back. I’m not sure I could actually hurt you, but I’d try if you broke Maize’s heart.”
I arch a brow at his cocky bluntness, and though he’s right—he wouldn’t leave a single mark on me if he tried—I’d rather not piss off the men I work with.
“Still bummed I didn’t get to see it go down.” I laugh as I dive into my scrambled eggs.
When our plates are nearly empty, Alex enters and gives us all a look. “There y’all are. We on a break I didn’t know about?”
“Just re-fueling, Dad,” Riley explains. “We’re almost done.”
“Good. We’re running behind and have a shit ton to do today.” He turns around and leaves before they can reply.
Diesel groans as he cleans up his mess, then puts on his hat. “Grayson, hurry up.”
“I am!” he says around a mouthful, rushing.
Since their cousin Ethan left to finish his senior year of college, they’ve been shorthanded. Well, not really, but they were just used to slacking while Ethan was home for the summer.
“I really can’t wait to train horses,” Grayson mutters, popping the rest of his biscuit into his mouth.
“Why? Horse shit ain’t much different than cattle shit.” Riley snorts. “You’ll be cleaning barns either way.”
“I know, genius. But at least with horses, I’m bonding with them as I train and ride. Cows couldn’t care less if you’re around, and I’d argue that their shit is very different. Ever step in cow shit?”
Riley chuckles.
“Sorry to say, Grayson, but you aren’t leaving me for a while,” Diesel tells him with a crooked grin. “I need your assistance with all my bitch work.”
Grayson rolls his eyes, and I wave before the three of them head toward the door. I’m fortunate enough to make my own schedule as long as I get my work done each week. Jackson and Kiera focus on their tasks, and I focus on mine.
Since the dining room is empty, I look for any opportunity to get into the kitchen with Maize. I notice the dirty dish tub is full and decide to take it back there. She can’t yell at me if I’m helping.
I peek through the little window in the door to see if she’s alone. When her employees are nowhere to be found, I kick it open and waltz in. Maize immediately spins around and pins me in place with a death glare.
“What do you think you’re doin’?” She scowls, putting her hands on her hips. It’s the cutest fucking thing ever.
“Helpin’ you with these,” I explain, glancing down at all the dirty dishes. “I’m a gentleman, ya know?” I set the tub by the dishwasher and spin around to face her.
“I didn’t ask for your help, so you can leave,” she tells me sternly.
“What’s your problem, Maize Bishop?” I cross my arms over my chest and narrow my eyes. “You throw daggers at me like you hate me or something.”
“I never said I hated you.”
I take a step toward her. “So you like me then?”
Her nostrils flare. “Definitely didn’t say that either.”
“Then what is it? It’s either one or the other.”
“I don’t know you well enough to have an opinion.” She takes a step back as I inch closer.