nods and puts his hands on his thighs, like he’s about to push to a stand. “We need to clean that knee when we’re done here, and we need to get you out of Jack’s clothes.”
Ah, did he just say we needed to get me naked?
“Excuse me?”
His body tenses. Yup, that’s right, Jay. That came out all kinds of wrong. But hearing him say we need to get me out of Jack’s clothes does make me want to strip down to nothing.
Focus, Alyson.
“I just mean, you need clothes that fit. And pants. Yeah, you need pants so something like this doesn’t happen again, and boots, too.”
“I know what you mean, and hopefully my luggage arrives today,” I say and mentally go over what I packed. Truthfully, I have shorts and T-shirts, but they’re kind of fancy for farm work, now that I see what’s to be done. How could I have been so naive?
“Okay, let’s try this again,” I say and wrap my fingers around Sidney’s teat. A smile tears across my face when I squirt milk into the bucket on my first try. I’m a natural cow milker. Who knew? Maybe this is my calling.
“You’re a fast learner,” Jay says, and that simple compliment does ridiculous things to me.
Confidence boosted and body on hyperdrive from Jay’s close proximity, I continue to fill the bucket and say, “Thanks.” Jay goes quiet beside me as I work, and I turn to him. “You’re right, though, this isn’t so bad.”
His cocky grin teases all my girly parts. “Having the time of your life, are you?”
“Hey,” a voice says from behind. I turn and see a shorter and younger version of Jay standing in the doorway, sunlight streaming over his body. I can only assume it’s Tyler. He scratches his head, his mannerisms much like his older brother’s.
“You’re up,” Jay says as he pushes to his feet.
“Can’t get anything by you,” he jokes and looks around Jay’s shoulder to grin at me. “Hey neighbor,” he says, his smile widening. “Jay and I were hoping a hot girl was going to move in next door.”
Jay shakes his head. “Really, Tyler?”
“What?” He shoves his hands in his pockets as he comes closer.
“I never said anything about a hot girl,” Jay says. “Leave me out of this.”
Tyler steps around Jay. “It’s Alyson, right?”
“Yes,” I say.
“I’m Tyler. The younger and better-looking version of Jay here.”
“You mean younger and more annoying,” Jay says, turning to face us.
Tyler ignores his brother and takes in my shirt and heels. “That looks much more comfortable than the blanket you were in yesterday.”
Embarrassment floods me. “You…saw me?”
“He doesn’t miss a thing,” Jay says with a scowl.
“Have you warmed up since your dip?” Tyler asks.
Jay folds his arms. “Can we help you with something?”
Tyler moves to the other side of Sidney. He puts his hand on her back, and she moos and rubs her face against him. “Hey, girl,” he says, then shoots Jay a look. “I’m here to teach Alyson how to milk Sidney,” Ty responds, before winking at Jay. “But I can see you’ve got everything under control, big brother.”
“Ty—”
“Hey, Alyson, do you have any younger sisters?”
“Sorry to disappoint, but no,” I say. “Only child.”
“Why don’t you go take care of the pigs and check on Barack and Freddy?” Jay suggests. “And grab some fresh eggs and put them on Alyson’s counter.”
“Sure thing, big bro.” He tosses a long strand of hay into his mouth and twirls it with his teeth. “I’ll be around if you need me,” Tyler says, his gaze directed at me.
“She won’t need you,” Jay says, his brow raised like he’s giving his brother some kind of warning, which Tyler seems to ignore. I think I might love their relationship.
“Of course not. Not when she has you.” Tyler fists his hands. “I’ll leave you two to…” His words tail off as he bumps his fists together.
After he walks away, Jay curses under his breath and pinches his eyes shut. “That kid is going to be the death of me.” He laughs. It’s low and deep, and pleasure washes through me. Jeez, what the hell is wrong with me? When was the last time a man’s voice made me tingle?
Oh, never.
“He’s sweet,” I say.
“You’re a farmer now, Alyson. You have to tell me the truth. He’s a smart-ass, admit it.”
“I am telling you the truth.” I remove the nearly full bucket out from underneath Sidney. “What did he mean by bumping his fists together?”