Roped Tight (Ryker Ranch #4) - Kim Loraine Page 0,10

we pulled up. I took our horses out of the trailer and walked into the small rundown shelter where they'd spend their nights. First thing we needed to do was get that repaired, make it a true stable so those two would stay safe. It’d do for now, but I didn’t like the idea of our horses spending much time there. And if a storm blew in, as always happened, they’d be in a bad way.

I walked the grounds, focusing on the proximity within sight of the cabin. George had bought a beautiful piece of land. There was no doubt in my mind that when this was done, Sandy would be incredibly happy with her surprise. That didn't mean it wasn't gonna take us a ton of work to get it ready. The bones of the place were strong. Sturdy logs had been used, all sealed and in good condition, but the porch was rotting, the gutters needed attention, and some of the mortar between the bricks on the chimney needed replacing. I could only imagine what the interior looked like. I hoped better rather than worse.

The crunch of boots to my left drew my attention as Sam walked toward me from the trail that was supposed to lead down to a creek. "How's the creek look?"

He shrugged, not meeting my eyes. "Like a fucking creek. Water is clean, even saw some fish, but it's more like a river than a creek. Current’s pretty fast, too.”

"That'll be good for fishing. This place has running water, right? A well?”

"I sure as shit hope so. That’s what Clint said anyway.”

I held out my hand, gesturing for him to take the lead. "After you. You got the key. "

He strode past me, his long legs eating up the distance quickly. Everything he did, every move he made, was smooth, graceful, like he didn't go anywhere without purpose. I wondered if that's how he approached riding a bull. Knowing he was gonna win, but he'd stay on and move with the bull instead of fighting it. Champion bull riders let the bull move, and they went with them. They didn't fight it, didn't try to ride it and control it. The successful ones just rolled with it.

The door creaked open, and Sam looked over his shoulder, one brow cocked. "You coming?"

I took a long breath and nodded. The air smelled stale, like this place had sat empty a long time. But once we fixed it up, this would be the getaway George and Sandy dreamed of.

The cabin didn’t have electricity yet, but Sam had brought a lantern from the truck. Lighting it, he placed it in the middle of the space. White sheets were draped over nearly every surface to protect the furniture from dust.

“Bedrooms?” I asked.

“Nope. There’s a closet,” he said, pointing at the door in the far right corner of the room. “Bathroom.” He pointed to the door on the left.

There was a small kitchen to my right, which had a wood-burning oven, a sink, and a few cabinets.

“So the well runs on solar power? Is there enough power for the water heater?”

“Yeah. Thank God. But that’s about all.”

“You afraid of a little icy dip in the creek?” I teased.

He grinned despite himself. “I’m not afraid of it, but I’m not ashamed to say I like hot water.”

I chuckled. “Me too, not gonna lie. Knowing I can take a hot shower after long hours driving those cattle is one of the things I look forward to at the end of the day. There's just something about the way my muscles relax when the water hits me.”

He stared at me, something lighting in his gaze, something that told me he was picturing me in the shower right then. Then he cleared his throat and glanced away.

“You can take the bed tonight. We’ll take turns.”

Nodding, I walked over to the sheet-cloaked bed and pulled off the covering. The headboard and footboard were made of brass, and all that sat on top of it was a lone mattress—no sheets, no pillow.

“Glad I packed my bedroll.”

“I think we got most of what we need in the back of the truck. Clint packed it all up before plans changed. He told us we should be set. If he had time to give us more information, I would've told you.”

I ran my hand over the back of my neck, then took off my hat and hung it on the hook next to the bed.

“It's all right. I wasn't