I’m not really sure why I was hired for this job. It looks like Montana could handle any situation thrown her way. Her toned physique reminds me I need to get to the gym more often. And damn, she’s beautiful. Underneath her blonde hair peeks eyes of hazel and honey. The smooth green on the edge contrasts beautifully with the amber color in the middle, and they shine like sunlight on polished stone, hiding a wealth of well justified mistrust.

I’ll win her over.

I always get my man…or woman, as the case may be.

Avery is a spitting image of Montana. She’s going to be a knockout when she gets older. And she’s a little spitfire. I’m guessing just like her mother. I move cautiously toward the toddler. “Hi, Avery, I’m Ryan,” I inform her, watching her play with stacks of blocks.

She looks up at me, her blue eyes shining with curiosity. “Are you my new daddy?”

“Avery!” Montana shouts.

“I’ve got this,” I answer before she goes any further. Turning back to the child, I squat down to her level. “No, sweetheart. I’m here to help you and your mom out around the farm. Is that okay with you?”

She looks at me for a second, then smiles. “You wanna help wit my bocks?”

Montana gasps, and I turn my head toward her. Her eyes are wide, and her jaw hangs open. I furrow my brow, and she answers my unspoken question. “She never lets anyone play with her blocks. Including me.”

I turn back to Avery. “I would be honored to help you build whatever it is you’re building. Could we do it after you’ve eaten your macaroni?”

She tilts her little head to the side, as if pondering my question, all the while studying me. “Otay,” she answers and stands. “Momma, I eat ronis.” She bounces toward her booster seat, then lifts her arms.

Montana laughs and shakes her head as she lifts the adorable child. “I don’t know how you did it, but keep it up,” she whispers as she buckles Avery in. “It’s never this easy.”

After placing the pasta in front of the tot, she turns back to me. “There’s a guest room toward the back of the house you can use. It has a separate bathroom so you’ll have your privacy.”

“Thanks. Anything would have been fine.”

“Will your girlfriend have a problem with you staying here?” Montana’s cheeks are suddenly kissed pink like a spring rose, the blooming color so cute against her freckled skin. She looks away and finds a distraction at the sink, washing up a plate that doesn't need it.

It’s adorable.

“I don’t have a girlfriend.” The plate clanks against the bottom of the sink, and I chuckle inwardly. Moving toward the door, I say, “So, I’ll be back tomorrow morning with my things, say around eight?”

“Yes. Tomorrow will be perfect. I’ll have time to get your room ready.” Turning from the sink, she gives me a smile that seems so genuine with just the right touch of shyness, warmth flows through me.

“Avery, is it okay if we play blocks another time? I didn’t know how late it was.”

She glances up through her long, thick lashes from her bowl and regards me for a minute. “Pomise?”

“Yes, I promise.”

“Otay,” she says, then shoves another spoonful of macaroni in her mouth.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Avery,” I add with a mock bow.

She giggles, then says, “Bye!”

I turn my attention back to Montana. “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow,” I murmur, my face stuck in a semi-permanent smile. An excitement rushes through my veins from sheer anticipation. Happiness flares in her eyes, and for the first time in a while, it does in mine too.

Closing the door gently behind me, I saunter to my truck. The winds have died down, and the sun is attempting to peer through the leftover clouds. I have a perfect view as it dips behind the crest of the mountains, the sky awash and ablaze with colors found at the heart of a fire.

It’s breathtaking.

When I was left standing on the porch, I was inches away from getting in my truck and going back to Jersey.

Now, I’m looking forward to farm labor.