We work for a few more hours, and then my stomach starts to growl. When I’m with Harper, I lose track of time. It reminds me of being teenagers again when we’d spend hours gossiping or talking about rumors. Once we’ve finished packaging for the day, we stack everything against the wall.

“I’m going to have to schedule a pickup,” she states, looking at all the boxes. “That was exhausting.”

“Well yeah, you’re supposed to be taking it easy, Mama.”

“I know, I know. Pretty sure I’m too tired to cook now. Want to go to the B&B? I can text Maze and see what’s on the menu.”

“Whatever it is, it’s going to be amazing. I’m ready.”

“Babe!” Harper yells, and Ethan comes to the dining room. “Wanna go eat with us?”

“No, I’ll stay here with Hayden. Just grab me somethin’ to go,” he tells us with a grin.

“Sounds good,” Harper says.

“Wanna ride with me?”

“Nah, I’ll drive. I want to stop by the shop on the way back and pick up a few more things.” She holds her finger over her mouth and gives me a little shh. “I don’t want Ethan freaking out about me wanting to work.”

“Pretty sure he knows he can’t stop you at this point.” I chuckle as we walk outside.

I get in my Jeep, then go to meet her there. The sun has already set, and I’m reminded why I despise the winter months. It gets dark way too early.

As soon as I park, I see how many vehicles are lined up outside, then realize the ranch hands are here for dinner.

When I enter the B&B, I jump in the buffet line and fill a plate with a huge chicken fried steak and pile of mashed potatoes. The hearty smells have my mouth watering, and I dig in. Moments later, Harper arrives, grabs some food, then sits across from me.

She leans in and whispers, “Kane’s coming.”

“You sure it’s him?”

She playfully rolls her eyes. “Yes, I’m positive. You’re not the only one who can tell them apart.”

The chair beside me slides out, and then he sits down with a mountain of food. “This seat wasn’t taken, was it?”

“Nope.” I smile. “All yours.”

A few moments later, Payton joins us along with a few other guys who also work with the goats.

“Can’t believe you fell in that goat shit earlier. I think it buried itself into your pores,” Payton says to Kane with a chuckle.

“I didn’t see the hole in the ground when I was steppin’ around it.”

I immediately start laughing while imagining the whole scene. His arm brushes against mine, causing goose bumps to form, but I try to ignore the way my body reacts.

“Did you at least change clothes?” I ask him.