Page 6 of One Reckless Moment

Taylor usually planned a trip home for a week in the summer so this spontaneous weekend was a pleasant surprise.

I skipped down the steps and headed up to the stables to see what the boys were up to. It was Saturday so I was technically off, but work at the ranch never truly stopped.

I was looking down at my phone, responding to Taylor, when motion in my peripheral vision caught my eye. Glancing up, I stopped in my tracks.

Cash Leonard was standing in front of the stables—shirtless and dripping in sweat. His tanned skin glistened in the morning sun as he hauled hay off one of the pickup trucks. Normally, I didn’t let myself appreciate him or his body, but I was barely awake and the sight was too good to pass up. I was a weak woman before fully caffeinated.

The man was infuriating, but damn, was he eye candy.

Everything from his black cowboy hat to his work gloves to the Wranglers sitting low on his hips was like the most beautiful form of torture. My eyes trailed the dusting of chest hair down to his toned abs.

He grunted, flexing his muscles as he hauled another bale into the pile on the side of the stables.

I let myself linger probably a moment too long. I had to soak in the sight now because I wouldn’t be seeing it for a while.

Cash was leaving on Monday for the entire summer, and I was ecstatic for the respite from his watchful eye. Still, I would miss the view.

“Take a picture, Pip! It’ll last longer!” His irritating smile snapped me out of whatever trance I was in.

I scoffed and walked past him, ignoring the red that was creeping up my neck from being caught ogling.

The man couldn’t be gone from here soon enough.

I spotted Reid in the tact room organizing a new shipment of supplies. I hopped up to sit on the wooden workbench across the far wall and let my feet swing. Reid took the coffee mug out of my hand and took a sip.

“Mornin’,” he drawled as he handed my mug back.

“Good morning,” I sang.

“What’s got you in a good mood?” He eyed me skeptically as he went back to his organizing.

“Life is just good, baby brother. Taylor is in town, it’s a beautiful day, and the most aggravating man on the planet is leaving.”

Reid perked up as he asked, “Taylor is here? Did Micah come, too?”

“No, it’s just her. She came to see her dad.”

He nodded as he resumed his work. “I assume you aren’t coming to the party tonight?”

I shook my head. “Cash doesn’t want me there. I’m just going to spend the night at Taylor’s.”

“He wants you there, P.”

I shrugged. “Whatever. It’s just a party.”

Reid blinked at me, stunned.

“What?” I asked as I sipped my coffee.

“Nothing, I’ve just never heard those words come out of your mouth before.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t be dramatic.” I hopped down and kissed his sweaty cheek. “I’m going to check on Mom before I head into town. Text me if you need me!”

I wiggled my fingers over my shoulder as I skipped out of the tact room with my head held high and a bright smile on my face.

“I can’t believe you’re home!” I squealed as Taylor tackled me in a hug.

“I know. It was last minute.”