Total pages in book: 45
Estimated words: 43870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43870 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 219(@200wpm)___ 175(@250wpm)___ 146(@300wpm)
After what felt like ten minutes, Axel sat on the bench a foot away from me. He pulled his hat off and fussed with the brim. His hair fell over his eyes like a curtain. I itched to push it aside, but not to worry, I’d regained my cool. And what the vet might not have realized was that I was a very patient man.
I stood and motioned for him to follow me from the barn enclosure to a wide path leading to the pasture. Holsteins dotted the green fields to the horizon with a few oak trees to break the monotony of sky and grass.
I stopped at the fence, tipping my hat to block the sun.
He could take his time here.
“You need help with the herd,” Axel said, finally glancing my way. “And I can be available as soon as tomorrow.”
I raised a brow.
“Are you looking for a job?”
“No, I’m making a suggestion.”
I twisted to face him. “What makes you think I need help?”
“An educated guess. You bought a lot of cattle from Dennis, and I’m the guy who knows them best.”
“I see. I have a vet on call who’s very reliable,” I hedged, my heart hammering away.
“I can fill in, and with a sudden influx of a few dozen cattle, you’ll probably want more help. I’m willing to do other odd jobs too. I’m available through most of December.”
“What happens in December?”
Axel’s jaw tightened imperceptibly. “I have something lined up in Texas.”
“Ah, so you’re suggesting that I use you as a secondary veterinary option and a temporary farm hand?”
“I am.”
And the answer was already a resounding yes.
It was a no-brainer. And he’d said temporary.
Temporary was good.
I could have said as much and ended this discussion by introducing him to Hudson, who’d agree with me that it was smart to hire a competent assistant with a veterinary degree. Then I’d escort Axel directly to the office where Jax would conduct an informal interview. A few signatures on official documents later, Oak Ridge would have an employee with invaluable experience.
Problem: I was incredibly attracted to Axel.
And this guy was no Mr. Congeniality.
Axel had sharp edges, a solemn air, and a hard gaze. He didn’t want to shoot the shit with me, and he wouldn’t stoop to ingratiating himself like most folks looking for extra work might.
I suspected he needed the income he’d lost when Dennis had sold the herd. Anyone else would have bent over backward to explain the situation and dazzle a prospective employer with their qualifications…not Axel. His mask of studied nonchalance warred with a grumpy scowl that didn’t invite casual chitchat. Or serious chitchat.
So why was I still here? There was no chance of my inane crush ever becoming anything more—doubly so if I hired him.
But like I said, I was a sucker for animals and an even worse sucker for people who loved them as much as I did. Under his tough as nails, grouchy exterior, I suspected Axel was a gentle giant. I’d noticed the way he’d picked up Nelly’s kid with practiced hands and fed the newborn like a pro, stroking its furry ear as he’d suckled.
It was a little funny that he’d growled at the guy holding the purse strings, but color me fascinated. Against my better judgment, I wanted to know more. A lot more.
“Well?” Axel prodded.
I tilted the brim of my hat, pursing my lips thoughtfully. “Where’re you from?”
Another scowl. “Texas originally.”
“Oh, yeah? Where in Texas?”
The fuzzy caterpillar made an appearance across the bridge of his nose. “Merriweather.”
“Outside of Austin, right?”
“A few hundred miles outside of it. You know the area?”
“Not well,” I admitted. “Some of our early cattle were from a ranch in Texas. How long have you been in California?”
Axel opened his mouth and closed it, his brow furrowed at a maximum. “A couple of months. Does that matter?”
“Of course not. I’m just making small talk, trying to get a feel for a potential employee, if you will.”
“I don’t—small talk is…I don’t do that,” he grumbled, crossing his arms, gaze fixed on the grazing cattle.
My lips twitched in amusement.
“I’ll go first. I was born and raised in central California, went to college in San Luis Obispo, and settled in Santa Ynez about fifteen years ago with three cows and an overly ambitious business plan. I love it here. We have the best of all worlds—a beautiful valley, a short drive to the ocean, and the mountains are in our backyard. If I’m in the mood for the city, which doesn’t happen often, I can be in Los Angeles in a little over two hours and in San Francisco in under five.” I paused, giving Axel a chance to chime in. Nothing. I continued. “The nightlife is quiet. We have a movie theater in town and a few bars. None of them stay open late, but I’ve outgrown my club era so I don’t mind.”