Catching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #2) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,38

me around the tractors and gardening equipment until we’re at the back of the barn. “What are you doing?” I whisper-hiss as he opens the side door.

“Sneaking you into my truck.” He looks back at me and smirks. “Stay down.”

I see his Chevy close by, and we quickly run together toward it. He helps me into the passenger side and then rushes to the other.

“Crouch down,” he orders, then hits the gas.

“Where are we going?” I ask, feeling completely out of the loop.

“It’s a surprise.”

“This can’t be good.” I laugh. “I thought you only had a half-hour break?”

“I’m taking an extended lunch.” He chuckles, making a sharp turn. “Don’t worry, they won’t even notice I’m gone.”

“Mm-hmm, right.” I lick my lips as I lower my eyes down his body. Even after working all morning, he still looks good enough to eat. “Can I sit up yet?”

“One second…”

I feel the truck drive up a hill and look through the window. Trees and overgrown brush line the dirt road.

“Okay, you’re good to go now.” He gives me his hand, and I grab it, hoisting myself up in the seat.

Looking around, I notice we’re on one of the trails leading to an area we sometimes partied in high school and have the occasional bonfire.

“What do you have up your sleeve, mister?”

He waggles his brows with a mischievous smirk on his face. “I packed us a lunch.”

My eyes widen in surprise. “Really? You packed us edible food?”

He rests a hand on his chest. “Why are you so shocked? I’m very capable of asking Grandma Bishop to make her famous chicken and biscuits.”

I snort out a laugh as my head falls back against the seat. “You’re slick, I’ll give you that.”

Diesel drives us to a place that’s been named the “Bishop spot” over the years. Apparently, my uncles brought their dates up here, and they’d party and drink. It became something rather special and meaningful for a lot of them and even for Riley and his wife, Zoey.

“You know everyone who brings their crushes here end up married,” he tells me smoothly as he parks the truck.

“I’ve heard,” I say, fighting back a smile. “Except I’m pretty sure my uncles and even Riley brought a lot of women they ended up not marrying here too. Even you, probably.”

“Nope. Been waiting for the right one.” He flashes me a shiver-inducing wink, and I’m nearly melting in my seat before he rounds the front and escorts me out. He grabs the cooler, then takes my hand to the back of the cab.

There’s a sleeping bag unzipped and spread out with blankets and pillows all around. It looks cozy, and I’m shocked as hell he thought of something this sweet.

“Wow…” I say when he helps me up, and he makes his way to my side. “You’ve never done this before?” I ask.

“Never had a relationship, Row,” he says.

“Seems you know what you’re doing,” I tell him when he hands me a plate covered in foil.

Diesel shrugs as if he doesn’t agree. “Guess we’ll see, huh?”

I smile when he does, and it warms my entire body. Adam Hayes is someone I never knew I needed.

We talk and laugh all through our lunch. The food is delicious, no surprise there, but the company and scenery are even better. Once we’ve finished, he wraps me in his arms, and we lie on the blankets.

“You can see the stars out here for miles at night. It’s my favorite part of living on the ranch. You don’t get that in Houston,” I say as I wrap my arm over his chest and hold him close to me.

“There’s just something special about living out here, and I’d never want to be anywhere else.” His arm is around my shoulders, and he tightens his hold, sending warmth all down my body.

We continue talking and admiring the view for over an hour. Much longer than Diesel is allowed to take for his break, and after his phone starts going off, I know our time is over.

“Shit,” he hisses when he pulls it from his pocket and sees all his missed calls and texts.

“You’re gonna get in trouble,” I tease.

He leans in and presses his lips to mine. “It’ll be worth it.”

“You better go back.”

“But being here is so much better.” He turns so we’re face to face and lifts my chin. “I feel like I’m dreaming.”

“And what are you gonna tell them when they ask where you were?”

“Tell them to mind their damn business.” He flashes