grateful not to have any of this conveniently close to home. In Houston, there was a fast food place on every corner.
Kenzie has a bag opened and is stuffing her mouth before we even make it out of the parking lot. I honestly didn’t realize how hungry I was until Maize hands me a box of chicken nuggets. I feel like I swallowed them whole and didn’t even chew them. Elle drives us to the hotel, and once we’re in our room, we finish eating. I continue to devour food until I’m stupidly full, then kick off my boots and lie back on the bed with a smile on my face.
While I may not have gotten completely even because bashing in a car doesn’t fix a broken heart, damn, it felt good to get him back. If only I could see Nick’s face in the morning when he notices his expensive toy is now damaged goods. I’d pay good money for that. I hope he learns his lesson, but men like him never do.
A part of me wonders if he’ll even suspect it’s me, but the other part doesn’t care. He never could handle me, not when we were dating and especially not now. One thing’s for certain, I might be a Southern woman, but I still have a temper at times. He’s underestimated what happens when you cheat on a Bishop.
Chapter Five
DIESEL
I’m soaking wet, covered in nasty water from head to toe. A calf walked into the pond and couldn’t get out because of the mud, which meant Grayson and I had to perform an impromptu rescue mission. There was no time to think about taking off our boots or anything before we were hopping into the water and walking through mush.
It’s common for cows to stand in the bodies of water during the hot months since it helps them cool off, but the babies are sometimes the worst because they go out too far and can’t get back to the bank. The little bastard was screaming at the top of his lungs, and we just so happened to be doing our afternoon checks. Together, Grayson and I carried the little asshole to the grass and made sure he was okay before driving off. Doesn’t help our situation, though. We officially smell like cow slobber, pond mush, and sweat.
By the time we make it back to the shop, we both stink, my feet are soaked, and I’m ready for a drink.
“Wanna go to the bar tonight?”
Grayson looks at me. “Like this?”
“Hell no! I need a shower,” I tell him, taking off my hat and setting it on my lap.
“I think I’m gonna take a rain check. It’s been a hectic fuckin’ day, and I’m exhausted. Gotta love Mondays.”
I give him a smile and look down at my boots and pants. “Yeah, I totally understand. Never expected to be doing half that shit today. Every day’s an adventure on the ranch,” I remind him. The unpredictability is one of the things I love the most about my job. There’s no monotony. Honestly, I don’t know how people sit behind a computer at a desk all day. It sounds like eternal hell. I’d go crazy not being in the country.
We give Alex the rundown of what happened, then I hop in my truck and drive home. At times like this, I wished I carried an extra set of clothes around. I’m forced to drive back with the windows down because I can’t stand the smell of myself. Once I’m home, I see Rowan’s gift on the counter and smile before going to the bathroom. She’s working tonight. I made sure to find out this morning from John. I’ve been waiting all weekend to see her to give her that present.
I take off my clothes and turn on the hot water. Stepping inside, I allow the warmth to soothe my sore muscles from carrying a one hundred pound calf today.
After I’m done washing every inch of my body, I brush my teeth and get dressed. I run my fingers through my hair and throw on a baseball cap, then spray on some cologne because I know it drives Rowan wild. It always has, ever since we were teenagers. She pretends to be immune, but I’ve noticed her reactions. The thought of seeing her tonight causes excitement to bubble inside me. No woman has ever made me feel like this, and as much as I try to shake it, I can’t. Rowan Bishop