Love Begins with Fate (17 page)

“Your kind of scrawny for a ranch hand aren’t you?” Kelsey questioned.

“No offense, but you are kind a skinny yourself.” Mika shrugged.

Kelsey rolled her eyes. The girl had a point. Kelsey was evaluating her solely on looks. “Yes. Well. Shall we?” Kelsey nodded her head toward the kitchen. “Lunch is about ready are you two hungry?”

The four went on to the kitchen and sat amongst the other people at the ranch. Kelsey and Nick observed while Dylan and Mika answered their questions. Mika had grown up on a ranch a town over. She had been home schooled and finished early. She wasn’t quite as young as she looked beating Kelsey’s age by two years. She had wanted to take over the
ranch her father owned but he had offered it to Mika’s brother instead. Thus her reasoning for finding a position somewhere, she would rather work on someone else’s ranch than under her brother’s rule.

Dylan
had been employed by the Janders’ ranch for three years part time while he worked at the local bar at night. When the Janders’ couldn’t offer him anything more than part time he proceeded to look for work elsewhere. “Is it safe to say if I called Jeb he would offer a good reference?” Kelsey asked Dylan.

“I sure would hope so.” Dylan chuckled. “He knows I am looking for a full time position somewhere and he suggested I speak with you.”

Kelsey smiled. “Great. He’s a good friend.” Kelsey made a note to contact Jeb after lunch and talk with him about Dylan. He seemed like a good fit for her ranch, and cute to boot. Mika seemed like she would work out well to but Kelsey wasn’t sure she could offer a position to her since she was so bitter toward her brother’s farm. She didn’t want any rivalry between the ranches to begin.

“Dylan, what position are you hoping for?” Kelsey asked. “Because I think Mark could use your help with the cattle if you are comfortable there.”

“Well I have grown up working on various farms. I have worked with cattle and I have worked with horses. Horses are where I would prefer, but cattle runs are also fine with me.” Dylan said honestly. He seemed at ease in Kelsey’s presence and she knew he would fit in any position she offered him.

“Okay.” Kelsey nodded and cast a quick look at Nick then Mark. “Okay well, it’s been nice speaking with you both. Nick and Mark, could I speak with you both a moment?” Kelsey asked pushing herself back from the table.

Once they exited the dining room Kelsey turned quickly to Nick and Mark. “I think Dylan would work great. Nick could you work him in the horse barn?” Kelsey asked.

Nick smiled “I knew you would like him.” He smirked.

Kelsey blushed. “Don’t look at me like that.” She snapped.

“Well, look at the boy. He’s got talent for catching a girl’s eye and you are in need of a man to take on this farm.” Nick chuckled. Mark scowled beside them.

“He’s not that great.” Mark rolled his eyes. “I can’t see why you don’t go out on a date with me.” He pouted.

“Kelsey couldn’t find it in her heart to break your heart so she just doesn’t pay attention to your affections. Now grow up and leave the poor girl alone. You should look at some other girls in town and stop hanging on to her so much.” Nick shook his head.

“Oh goodness!” Kelsey groaned. “Would you two just get over it already? And Nick like I told everyone else, and most of my family here… a man right now… is not going to happen. He would have to put up with a lot and I don’t know if I could give him the proper attention.”

“Yeah
you’re right Kelsey…” Nick shrugged “you couldn’t properly love a man. That’s why you were made so beautiful right.” He said sarcastically. “Anyway… Dylan would be great for the horse barn. They could use another firm hand. What about Mika?”

“I was thinking I could offer her a part time trial, if she shows she can do the work without causing drama between the ranches… maybe we could have her take on the hogs, chickens, and small animals. Or we could offer her to care for the calves.” Kelsey looked to Mark who shrugged. He would be alright with it if Kelsey was. He would agree to anything the girl said.

“I think that would be good. Do you want to call Jeb or shall I?” Nick asked.

“I will do the honors. I have been meaning to thank him for the beautiful colt anyway.” Kelsey smiled.

“Well I will go and break the news…” Nick told her and together Mark and Nick made their way back to the dining room.

Kelsey made the call to Jeb. Picking up on the second ring Jeb said “Hello Kelsey, long time since I heard from you.”

“Yes, Jeb, I know. I just wanted to call and thank you for the beautiful colt and talk to you about a reference for a young man interviewing at my ranch. His name is Dylan. I have forgotten to ask his last name but he’s a taller young man with blond hair.”

“Yeah, he’s a great kid.
Hard worker. The wife and I are fully staffed for our ranch’s full time positions, but we are sorry to see him go. I told him you were looking for some knew hands ever since the incident with Julio.” Jeb replied.

“So would it
be alright in saying it would be good if I hired him?” Kelsey asked.

“I wouldn’t put it past
ya. I love the kid like a son. He’s always welcome back here and if you want to hire him, I would be happy for him.” Jeb told her proudly.

“Well thanks again Jeb. I need to go and spread the good news.” Kelsey smiled as she waited for Jeb’s goodbye.

“Okay.” Jeb chuckled “goodbye darling.”

“Goodbye.” Kelsey said hanging up the phone.

Kelsey was smiling as she made her way back to the dining room. Dylan and Nick were talking and smiling just outside the door. “Well I am glad to offer you a job Dylan.” Kelsey smiled holding out her hand. “To start would you want to ride out with me to repair a few fences?” Kelsey asked.

Dylan smiled looking back toward Nick as if asking for permission. “She’s the boss man.” Nick shrugged and chuckled in the same. “When she’s done with you I’ll see you in the barn.”

“I’d love to.” Dylan smiled.

“Mark you all set with Mika?” Kelsey asked. He nodded and continued talking adamantly with Mika.

Kelsey nodded “Okay let’s see how you ride.” Kelsey chuckled, leading Dylan out to the barn.  “This is Thunder.” She said stopping by her horse. “He’s my horse. The only one that nobody but me rides unless instructed. You will have to learn which horses are okay for you to ride with Nick but today you can ride Cobalt.” Kelsey said as she pulled her horse from the stall and brought him down to the hitching post.

“Okay” Dylan smiled. The horse was two stalls down and Kelsey pulled Cobalt out
as well. Cobalt was a white stud with blazing blue eyes.

“I hope you know how to handle your horses, don’t show him your fear.” Kelsey told him. “This is one of my studs he can be a handful at times.”

“I can handle many things.” Dylan smirked.

Kelsey eyed him shaking her head “Hey, let’s not hit on the boss on the first day.” Kelsey thrust a saddle into Dylan’s hands “Carry that.” She said walking back to grab her own saddle.

“I’ll try and remember that.” Dylan chuckled as he pushed the saddle up onto the stallion then lifted Kelsey’s up with ease, helping her.

Kelsey and Dylan took nearly the entire day fixing the pieces off fencing. When they finally made their way back to the barn it was
late dusk. Kelsey yawned and offered her horse to a stable hand. “You can stay the night…” Kelsey began.

“Does that mean I get to stay in your bed?” Dylan flirted for the umpteenth time today.

Kelsey shook her head, playfully slapping his arm. They had grown quite comfortable with each other over the course of the ride. “No you silly man.” Kelsey giggled. “You can either stay the night in one of the ranch hands’ homes or you can come back tomorrow morning with your things.”

Dylan looked down at his watch “If you don’t mind, I think I will stay the night and head out in the morning to pack my things. It’s getting kind of late and I have a long drive back to my place.” Dylan admitted.

“That’s plenty fine. Let us go find Nick and figure out where you’ll be staying.” Kelsey said gently grabbing Dylan’s arm and tugging him toward the barn office. Nick sat inside doing late night paperwork and waiting for Kelsey to arrive back.

Nick had taken Dylan the rest of the way to the house he would be staying in while Kelsey made her way up to her room for the night. They had missed dinner but Annie had saved a nibble for her which
she ate while she dialed her cell.

“Hey Han how was your day?” she asked in an exasperated tired breath.

“By the sounds of it better than yours.” Hannah giggled.

“I am tired. I worked hard today. I am beginning to wonder if having a man around wouldn’t be so bad. Especially at night you know.” Kelsey shrugged.

“Well I am going to give him your number.” Hannah told her “have a good night sleep, sweetie. You sound like you need it.”

Before Kelsey could complain Hannah had hung up.

Chapter 27

It had been nearly a week since Kelsey had left and
Parker
had finally convinced Hannah to give him Kelsey’s number, and Hannah had finally convinced Kelsey to talk to
Parker
. He finally got up the nerve to at least text her.
Parker
lifted his phone up and texted Kelsey.

I don’t know what time it is where you’re at but I couldn’t wait to talk to you. I finally got the nerve to contact you. Hannah had give
n me your number earlier. Please say you’ll text back. –
Parker
.

Kelsey felt the buzz of her phone going off and pulled her phone out. It was late, but once she noticed who was messaging her she was curious to answer.

It’s late, but that’s okay. I am sorry I left in a hurry and we couldn’t talk much. Better now than never right? Yeah I’ll answer you back. – Kelsey.

P
arker
received the message two minutes after he had first texted. It made him smile. He answered immediately.

The night at the bar… -
Parker

Am I right to assume we enjoyed ourselves – Kelsey

More than you can believe. I have been head over heels for you ever since that sexy dance. No girl has ever gotten me so hard. –
Parker

Silence.
It had been a good ten minutes since
Parker’s
text and he hoped that he hadn’t turned Kelsey away from him, embarrassing her. He decided he would text again, this time he would change the subject.

What are you doing right now?
If you weren’t texting me? –
Parker

Kelsey looked at her phone. First he had told her how she had gotten him hard and now he was trying to change the subject. At first she wanted to just forget answering but she had felt an urge to talk to him. Ever since he had been so kind to her at the cabin, Kelsey felt something.
Parker
was sweet and she liked that, being a hot sexy man well that was a plus.

She hesitated over the phone thinking of what to type then decided to dial the number
attached to the text. She wondered if
Parker
would answer or would he be mad that she ignored him.

P
arker
didn’t hesitate answering the phone. Though he was sitting on the bench resting up for the break in the football game, he didn’t care.
Parker
stood up slowly making his way away from the rest of the team. “Hey,” he breathed, his voice was deep and sexy as he greeted her.

Kelsey gulped. Maybe she had been wrong to call him. What if he was busy? What if he really didn’t want to hear her voice?

“Love, please don’t clam up on me now. I’ve been waiting to hear your angelic voice for way too long. It’s been nearly a month since I we hung out in the club. Don’t hold out on me now.”
Parker
begged.

“Hey.” Kelsey said quietly.

“Thank goodness. There’s your beautiful voice.”
Parker
sighed in relief.

“I would be getting ready for bed. What are you doing?” Kelsey said.

“Well, I am in the middle of my half way point in the game. Resting up for a bit with the team. I’m sure your brother would be ticked if he knew what I was doing, but I don’t care. We’ve been working on it.”
Parker
told her honestly.

“Oh, well maybe I should let you go?” Kelsey muttered.

“No! Don’t please. I’ll have someone else run. Please, tell me about your day. Talk to me until you fall asleep.”
Parker
begged.

Kelsey mumbled something unintelligible before finally agreeing. “I really don’t know what to tell you…” She began.

“Tell me about your day. I am a great listener.” Parker told her. He hadn’t really been lying. He was a good listener with his family and friends, but girls well, most didn’t make it that far into his heart.

That’s how it all started. Kelsey laid into
Parker. She told him about her first day, then her second, she had told him about the new hires and how she was getting along so well with Dylan. Parker growled at that, but continued to listen. Kelsey had begun to explain about her conversation with Hannah and about how Ryder and Parker had fought. She continued talking until she heard the coach yelling.