Chapter 14

“That was a quick trip.”

“Yes. Taylor just wanted to show me the view from the upper pasture. It was quite stunning.”

“I’m sure you were inspired by it,” Harper replied, the look he cast in her direction almost accusing in nature. Was he jealous? Why did she find that so intriguing that he might be unhappy about her being alone with Taylor Turner for even just a few minutes?

“I was. Taylor is going to take me to see the feeding system now. Are you coming or have you already seen what you need to of it?”

“I think seeing it again would be a promising idea.”

Claire studied his face, once again contemplating if there was any hidden meaning behind his words. It was hard to say for certain. She decided to let it go and followed behind Taylor as he led them to the equipment they would be advertising for him.

After some very careful explaining of how it worked, Claire had a much better feel for what they needed to relay in his ads. Harper had been very right about seeing it first-hand giving her a new grasp on what needed to be shown in the graphics.

“Listen, it’s been a long day with your drive up and getting carted all over since you arrived. Plus, I need to take care of some things around the ranch. I’m going to let the two of you go hash out what it is you intend to do for me or get some rest, whatever you need to do.”

“Sounds good, Taylor. Thanks for everything.”

Taylor nodded and headed off toward a group of men working some horses in a nearby pasture. Harper turned to her and looked at her intently. She could tell he was a bit upset about something, but wasn’t quite prepared for what came next.

“Did you kiss him?”

“What?”

“On your little trip up the hillside while you were alone. Did you kiss him?”

“Harper, I hardly see how that is something you and I need to discuss.”

Claire watched as Harper’s eyes drifted toward several workers in nearby stalls and then back to her again.

“Come on. Let’s go for a little walk.”

Claire followed him as he walked out of the large structure around them and toward a fence near the edge of the surrounding field. Walking around a large hedge flanked by a row of trees, he stopped and looked back at her.

They were out of earshot and shielded from view. Claire assumed she was about to get her first chewing out from her boss when he suddenly reached for her and pulled her close to him, kissing her so furiously that her toes curled.

“Wow,” she said as they finally broke apart, sending both into a fit of laughter that resonated against the nearby tree line.

“Wow, indeed.”

His mouth cut off her laughter as they embraced again and got lost in one another, oblivious to their surroundings and forgetting all about keeping their distance. When they finally pulled apart again, they just stood looking into one another’s eyes for a moment without speaking.

“Why can’t I stop thinking about you?” Claire asked, throwing coyness to the wind.

It had taken only seconds for her to realize she not been interested in Taylor at all. It was just an appreciation for his attractiveness with nothing more than that in common. Harper, on the other hand, seared her soul in a way she couldn’t quite comprehend.

“Same reason that I can’t get you out of my mind. It drives me crazy to be so close to you and have to keep my hands to myself. I can’t do it, Claire. I don’t know what this is between us, but it’s powerful and I really want to explore it. See where it leads.” His look was intense as he searched her face for a reaction.

“I want that, too, Harper. I’m just as drawn to you, but I don’t want to jeopardize our working relationship”

“Fine. You’re fired.” His tone was stern. Claire was pretty sure he meant it.

“If you fire me, then I will be unemployed and forced to move back in with my parents in Tennessee. I won’t be able to see you anymore.”

“So? I have enough money to take care of you.”

“Maybe I don’t want someone to take care of me, Harper. Besides, I hardly know you and I enjoy my job. I like what I do.”

“What are you saying? You don’t want to give us a shot because you rather have your job than a chance at love?”

“I’m saying that I want both, but that maybe this isn’t what is right for me, no matter how much I’d like for it to be.”

“Okay. Well, let’s get back down to the feeder and make some notes, then you can go to your cabin so that you can settle in. We’ll just try to pretend that there is nothing at all between us.”

He sounded incredibly solemn as he spoke. Claire wanted to say something else, but she didn’t know what else to say and she was afraid that if she thought about it too long, she would betray herself and give in. He wasted no time in getting back to business. In a few minutes, they were in the barn looking at the feeder system again, making notes about how to present it for the advertisement.