Rustic Hearts

Sophie

 

“Sophie, can you go check and see if Brax’s truck is in the driveway? I don’t want to take the roast out of the oven before he gets here,” Aunt Ria calls into the office as I close everything down for the evening.

Dallas stopped in to help, and Aunt Doreen and Ria entertained Beau while we worked. A lot was accomplished. It turns out, Dallas is pretty efficient at deciphering chicken scratch and explaining what a lot of the invoices are for.

I walk over to the kitchen window that looks out toward the barn. “It’s out there,” I confirm.

“Can you go see what he’s doing? I called up to his apartment, and he’s not answering. If he’s still piddling with unloading, tell him to get his hiney in here and eat, and he can finish that up later. Everyone is starving.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Great. Just what I want to be doing, traipsing through the mud to find the asshole who’s keeping di

He’s not the only one who’s had a long day. My stomach lets out an irritated growl.

The tractor is in the drive beside the truck, so he hasn’t taken off on it. I walk toward the barn to have a look around.

I don’t see him, but I can hear the sound of water ru

I should turn around and go back, but I stand there and take in his broad back and sculpted ass. They don’t build them like that in New York. Those muscled thighs and that rugged physique was not manufactured in a Gold’s Gym on lunch hour. No, that body was built through hard work and good genes.

Very, very good genes.

I watch as he stands there with his hands planted on the wall of the stall above his bent head, so the water laps over him for a few more seconds, and then I start to slowly back out of the barn as quietly as I can manage.

Before I reach the doors, he calls out, “Tell ’em I’ll be in shortly.”

I freeze.

“I could smell you when you walked in, Sophie.”

“Smell me?”

“Yeah, you always smell like jasmine.”

Oh God, I can’t believe I was caught watching him shower.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to invade your privacy. I just—”

“It’s okay.” He looks back at me over his shoulder. “I would’ve peeked, too, if I had found you showering out here.”

His heated stare bores into me. I clear my throat.

“I’ll let them know you’re coming.”

He raises his eyebrow, and I’m sure I’m blushing from head to toe.

“I mean … you know what I mean,” I stammer as I turn and flee to the house.

“Did you find him?” Aunt Ria asks as I enter the kitchen.

“Yep. He’s in the barn.”

“What’s he into out there?” she asks as she starts to set the table.

I must look guilty because Dallas suspiciously looks at me and adds, “Yeah, what’s he up to?”

I shrug. “I have no idea. I just yelled to him that supper was ready, and he said he’d be in here, in a minute.”

“That boy. I swear, he’d work himself into the ground if we let him,” Emmett says, shaking his head as he sits down at the table and starts loading up a plate.

“You talking about me again, old man?” Braxton booms as he walks through the back door.

His hair is wet and brushed back from his face like he ran his hands through it quickly. He’s wearing a pair of faded jeans and a tight-fitting cream-colored thermal shirt. I realize he looks almost as good dressed as he does undressed.

I avoid his eyes as I walk to the sink to wash my hands before I sit.

He slides in beside me and speaks in a low tone, “I owe you an apology.”

I turn on the water. “No, you don’t. I’m the one who invaded your privacy and gawked at you while you were trying to shower. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a naked man, especially a soaped-up, wet, naked man. I probably need to remedy that soon. Charlotte tells me that all the time. Anyway, I’m sorry. Hormones took over, I guess,” I word-vomit all over him.

“Um, yeah, I was talking about this morning.”

“Oh …” What I just spewed hits me. “Oh God.” I turn to face him and grimace. “Can you forget everything I just said?”

He leans a hip against the sink and moves in a little closer. “That’s going to be hard to do. Don’t you think?”

I look up, and he’s gri

“Now is not the time to tease me, Braxton.”

“Who exactly is teasing who?” he asks.

It’s a fair question.

“Hey, what are you two whispering about over there?” Dallas yells from behind us.

“Sophie here was just graciously accepting my apology for being short with her this morning,” Braxton answers without looking away from me.

“Oh, that’s wonderful. It’s so nice to see you kids getting along. Now, both of you come and sit and eat. Supper is getting cold.”

We do as Aunt Doreen requested and take our seats at the table with the others. Dallas eyeballs us curiously as she cuts up the roast beef on Beau’s plate.

“Mind your own business and pass the potatoes, Dallas,” Emmett says as he looks between the two of us with a mischievous grin.

I give him an appreciative smile in return.

After we’ve eaten di

“You’re welcome. Are you pla

“No. I’m waiting on some information from the bank, and the rep that handles the ranch’s account is out until Monday. I plan to get up and work on some designs for a few hours and then get Aunt Doe to take me into town. I want to get a manicure, and I’d love to find someone to trim my hair.”

“I’m off work tomorrow. Want me to pick you up? I was going to go see Janelle down at the salon next week anyway. I’ll see if she can fit us both in.”

“That would be great.”

She shuts the door after buckling Beau in. “Maybe you’ll tell me what’s going on between you and Brax then too,” she slips in as she rounds the front of the truck.

“Nothing is going on between Braxton and me. Trust me.”

“Whatever. You have the worst poker face ever.”

“I’m not lying.”

“So then, what was with all the blushing and whispering in there?”

“He was just apologizing for being such a jerk this morning when I asked for his help. That’s all.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“Hmm … well, that’s boring.”

“What did you think was going on?”

“I don’t know. Something juicier than that though. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that, she hops in the truck and takes off.

I release a relieved breath and head back into the house. It’s been a strange day, and I’m ready to call it a night. I look at my watch and see its eight thirty p.m. Great. I’ve acclimated to Poplar Falls’ crazy schedule.

As I make it to the door, Braxton is coming out. He slides sideways to allow me to pass.

“Good night, Princess.” He uses his a

“Night,” I return as I make a beeline for the stairs.

Yep, a strange day indeed.