Page 4 of A Rainfall Promise

“Geez,” I muttered, growling to myself as I climbed into my truck and slammed the door. For the third damn day in a row, I was stuck going into town to buy stuff.

Not that it wasn’t needed, but I didn’t want to see more people.

And as it was already early morning, I had no doubt that everyone was up and about, wanting to chit chat and I sure as hell didn’t want that. Nor did I need it.

I had a lot to do back here; more posts that were broken, horses that were getting sick, some ready to have fouls, and a host of other things. And now, my damn sink in my bathroom is leaking and I need to get it fixed. When did I become a jack of all trades rather than just a rancher owner?

Well, when I didn’t want to keep having people in and out of my house to fix things, I suppose.

I walked into the store, down the aisle I needed, and nearly groaned. Because of course she would be here, getting people to help her. Isn’t that why she stopped by my place yesterday?

With a sigh, I went to the cashier, rolling my eyes at Tim’s comment, trying to step back as Vicky turned, running into my chest.

She groaned as she fell on her ass and one side of my lips tipped up. I leaned down, offering her my hand. She glared up at me, almost ready to slap it away but she thought better of it and took my hand. I hauled her up, my arm wrapping her waist as she teetered.

I heard her soft gasp, my mind having all kinds of images from that simple sound that I shouldn’t have. Not about her. Fuck, not about anybody.

“Vicky,” I told her, letting her go more abruptly than I should.

She righted herself before lifting her head, her eyes sparkling in a way I hadn’t noticed before. As if she caught something within my expression that I hadn’t been able to hide fast enough.

“You’re back in town,” she said, making my jaw clench. I lifted my package, some washers and tools that I needed that I didn’t seem to have, and she looked at the package.

“I had something break and now I get the joys of fixing,” I muttered, making her laugh.

“That might just be the most words you ever spoke to me.”

“Don’t make me regret it.”

“I’ll try not to. So, can I ask what broke?”

“I have a pipe that’s leaking in my bathroom,” I muttered, not looking at Tim as he rang up the items and I gave him cash for it.

“You know, there are all kinds of people around these parts who could help you if you just asked?”

I turned to look at her, my jaw clenching.

“Vicky, I don’t want people in and out of my house that I don’t know well enough or I don’t trust.”

“Interesting,” she said, tapping her nails on her arm. “Isn’t that what you do when you hire ranch hands to help with all the work around the place?”

I narrowed my eyes at her, hating how right she was. However, I wasn’t about to admit that to her or to anyone. Because that would only give her license to butt in with everything.

And I didn’t need that.

“I’ll be okay,” I muttered, making her hold up her hands.

With a grunt, I took my bag and walked out of the store, heading back to my house and my leaking pipes. Because yes, there was more than one. One was in the house, the other was on my body. And it started to leak the moment that beautiful woman fell on that gorgeous, plump ass.

“Stop it,” I told myself, climbing out of my cab. “She’s off limits, way off limits.”

Twenty minutes later, I grunted as I twisted the washer, looking up as someone walked into the bathroom.

“Qué estás haciendo, mijo?”

“Working on a pipe, Dad. What did you need”

“Por qué? Por qué no llamaste a alguien?”