Rancher Next Door by Marie Johnston

Author:Marie Johnston [Johnston, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marie Johnston

CHAPTER 10

Why’d August have to be so hot?

Lucas idled the tractor into place by Davina’s shop. Windrows stretched in wavy lines where he’d cut and raked pasture grass. He’d help Davina and Sarah bale before it was supposed to rain at the end of the week. And then it’d be harvest season and he’d be married to his combine.

At least that marriage wasn’t as hard on his ego as his previous one had been.

Once a week, Shaylee sent a message. He had no idea what she wanted to talk about, but his gut told him that it’d be nothing good for him to hear—and he’d heard a lot in their time together. So maybe it was experience talking.

Davina came out of the shed. She was a tinier, older version of her daughter. Same straight, short hair. Same guarded look in her eyes. But Trina’s perma-scowl came from her dad.

“Did Trina ask you to come with us tonight?” Davina asked.

Trina was graduating from her CNA course. And yes, she had. He wanted to go cheer her on, but with harvest looming and hay that still needed to be stacked, he only had a small window to get the pickup cleaned up and sold.

Just a few more tweaks and it’d be running smoothly. He only owed his new buddy, Jesse, a half a freezer of vacuum-sealed chicken for the oil leak that wasn’t a simple bad seal like he’d first thought. That chicken he’d get from Davina and Sarah for helping cut hay, though Jesse would refuse it if he found out.

So Lucas wouldn’t mention it.

“She did,” he replied, “but I have some work to finish up.”

“Catch us for dinner after the ceremony?”

Trina claimed the ceremony wasn’t a big deal. Just a small gathering where we get our certificates. But the way her face radiated excitement each time she mentioned it meant the small ceremony was a big deal to her, and he wasn’t going to show with dirt on his boots and sweat soaking his hat.

“I might be done in time. Just tell Trina to let me know when and where if she wants me there.” He wasn’t about to invite himself into any of her family time. She’d chided Brayden the other day for not finishing his chores because he’d been playing with the dogs all day.

Davina’s look lingered on him like she wanted to say more, but she only nodded. “Thanks for your help today. We weren’t sure we’d get this all cut once we heard they were predicting storms.”

“Don’t mention it.” They always paid him, whether in money or goods or returning the favor during harvest. “Now you’re gonna be sending your baby off to college,” he teased.

“She’s sending herself. You know she’d gnaw her arm off before she lets me help.” Davina peeked around the yard even though Trina was in town for her final day of training. “Between you and me, I’m surprised she took me up on my invite back home. But I’m not above admitting that I’m glad she’s staying in Moore for school.

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