Smirking, I continue, “Now that’s not true. I think you know me quite well. You’re just afraid to admit it.”
“I honestly have no idea what you’re talkin’ about. As I’ve said before, you must have me confused with someone else.”
I shake my head in amusement. “Trust me, Maize. I’d never forget you. Or our night together.”
“Sure you weren’t dreaming or something?” She barks out a laugh, but it’s fake.
“Alright then, why don’t you give me a chance? Let me take you out,” I offer, watching her throat tighten as she swallows hard.
“I don’t date men who work on the ranch,” she informs me with a mediocre grin. “It’s not personal.”
Furrowing my brows, I move closer, studying her. “Is that so?”
“Yep.” She quickly walks around me, and I turn to watch her unload the dishes. “I have a lot of work to do, so if you don’t mind…”
“I don’t mind. I already offered to help,” I gloat, then stand beside her. “So let me.”
This time, I don’t give her a chance to deny me and quickly take over, rinsing off the crumbs before putting them in the dishwasher.
“Fine, whatever. I need to chop veggies for lunch anyway. Since Sandra and Jane are both sick with the stomach flu, my hands are full.”
Realizing she’s taking care of everything alone makes me want to do even more. I go back to the dining area and pick up the rest of the dinnerware, then load the dishwasher again. Thank goodness it’s a large commercial one that only takes minutes to cycle through. After that, I wipe down each table and make sure they’re set for lunchtime.
Once the dishes are finished, I have a hell of a time trying to figure out where they go. After a solid minute of looking, Maize finally takes pity on me.
“Over there.” She points at a shelf. “On the right.”
I look, and sure enough, there are the others. “Thank you.”
“You really didn’t have to stay.”
“Seems like you needed some company today. It’s quiet in here.”
“I don’t mind being alone,” she says. “Silence doesn’t happen much ’round here. My family usually stops in, or I turn on some music. I enjoy listening to it while I cook.”
“You’re really a great chef, you know,” I tell her genuinely.
“You’ve chosen to eat the same things for the past month, so I can’t really trust your judgment.”
I cock my head with amusement. “So you notice what I put on my plate every day, huh? Interesting.” I stroke my jawline, knowing I’m getting to her.
“No, and you’re a lunatic. It’s time to go now.”
She’s right. I’ve been here for over an hour and have a ton of shit to do, but I don’t want to leave. “Okay, fine. Same time tomorrow?” I quirk a brow.
Maize huffs. “No! I already told you, I don’t date men who work on the ranch, so you can stop doing”—she waves a frustrated hand in the air—“whatever it is you’re doing.”
“Only tryin’ to be your friend.” I cross my arms over my chest.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why? You don’t have any guy friends?”
“Not exactly,” she breathes out. “And you’re reminding me why I don’t.”
I slam a palm to my chest. “Ouch.”
“Well, I warned you.”
For a moment, I thought she would let her guard down, but she’s smarter than that. As soon as she showed a sliver of her vulnerabilities, it’s like she realized it and locked it away.
Maize Bishop isn’t gonna make this easy, but I do love a challenge.
Once I’m back in the barn, Jackson strolls in with Knox and Kane behind him. They’re laughing and smacking each other, but immediately stop when they see Kiera. I hold back laughter at how obnoxious they are, but even at twenty-one, they know to quit playing when their mother’s around.
“What are you boys doin’?” she asks as Jackson kisses her.
“Making them clean stalls and organize the tack room. Then after that, they’ll be washing all the work trucks and tractors.”
Kiera’s hands fly to her hips, and she scowls as if she knows this is a punishment. “What’d they do now?”
“Stole the Cotton’s goats last night and hid them in our sheep barn,” Jackson explains, shaking his head, but I can tell he’s trying not to burst out laughing.
“Seriously?” she scolds, but then her expression softens. “That sounds like somethin’ you’d do.” Kiera teases Jackson. “Have them wax my car, too.” She smirks before walking to the office.
“You’re making this way too big of a deal, Dad,” Knox complains. “The goats are back safe and sound. No one got hurt.”
“Except when you pushed me and I tripped, nearly doing a face-plant in the gravel,” Kane interrupts.
Although they’re identical twins, they have different personalities. Knox reminds me a lot of myself, confident and ready to take on the world, whereas Kane is more reserved and loyal. Though I have a feeling he gets roped into doing crazy shit with his brother, then has to deal with the consequences later.
“Too bad Kaitlyn isn’t here. I’d pay her to do my half.” Knox barks out a laugh.
“Who’s Kaitlyn again?” I ask.
“Our little sister. She left for college right before you arrived,” Kane explains, but I remember Jackson telling me about her.
“How old is she?”
“Nineteen. Just started her second year of college,” he answers.
“Don’t get any ideas,” Jackson snaps.
My eyes widen at his demanding tone. “No, sir. Absolutely not.”
Aside from the fact that Jackson’s my boss and I wouldn’t want to lose his trust, nineteen is too young. Plus, the only woman on my mind right now is Maize Bishop. Her being twenty-five is pushing my minimum dating age limit, but she’s mature, and our chemistry is undeniable. I find so many things about her sexy as hell. Though I’ve had flings with younger women, I’m done with all that foolishness. I want to put down some roots and start a family—sooner rather than later.
Perhaps Maize’s not at that stage of her life yet, but she was the one who pointed out she was behind because she’s not married with kids. She laughed as if it were impossible for her to find a partner in five years, yet here I am. I’d be willing to let her call the shots if she’d actually give me a damn chance to prove that what we had that night was real.
Chapter Five
GAVIN
TWO MONTHS LATER
I’ve been working at the ranch for three months, and I thought Maize would’ve admitted she remembered us being together by now, but she hasn’t budged. I’ve helped her in the kitchen a few times, but she went back to pretending I didn’t exist afterward. Though I don’t have time to play her childish games, I’ve come to accept Maize Bishop’s stubborn as hell.