The Reluctant Virgin [Ride 'em Hard 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (2 page)

She had one more quick house call to make. Cindy took the back road to the Donner Ranch. It was one of the larger operations in town, and they had an even larger staff than at the Connery Ranch.

After dropping off the new lengths of PVC pipe that she had in her truck bed, Johnny handed her the money owed to her boss, Mr. Oakley. Johnny Donner was the owner’s son and a worse flirt than Chance. Only she didn’t have eyes for him. There was something counterfeit about the young cowboy that brought out her hackles. She leaned against her truck door and counted the money. The land was warming up as the sun rose in the morning sky. She could feel the soothing heat on her cheeks.

Cindy knew the young rancher was watching her every move, lusting, and hoping she’d jump at the chance to bed a playboy like him. He didn’t know who he was messing with. Cindy was a stickler for keeping professional on the job—not including her recent blunder with Chance. And she couldn’t be bought. She certainly wouldn’t throw away her career for a quick roll in the hay with a sweaty cowboy. They were more abundant than horseflies in her line of work.

“You’re prettier than a summer rose—” he started.

She rolled up the wad of cash and pushed it deep into the front pocket of her Levi’s. Cindy tilted her Stetson. “Nice doing business with you, Johnny. You call me when you’re in need of more supplies.”

Johnny frowned, likely used to getting everything he wanted. Today he let her leave, probably realizing she was more trouble than she was worth. He was no different than any other cowboy—bound to try his luck when a female irrigation specialist showed up instead of a man. It didn’t faze her in most cases.

Cindy drove off the property and parked on the side of the road about a mile up. Butterflies had been fluttering in her stomach all week. Tonight she had to return to her hometown for business. She’d asked the owner of Oakley Irrigation to reconsider sending her back to the one place she’d avoided since she turned twenty, but he insisted she was the most qualified for the job. There wasn’t a thing she didn’t know about her line of work. With the unpredictable nature of the weather in Alberta, more and more farmers were switching over to modern equipment. And Oakley was one of the leading distributors in the area.

Her cellphone rang. She grabbed it off the passenger seat. “Cindy Taylor.”

“Darlin’, where you at?”

“I’m on the road, Mr. Oakley.”

“On your way to the Granger Ranch, I hope.”

She loved the old man like a second father. He’d built the company into what it was but had a hard time embracing the modern world—computer programs, Internet, and digitized order forms.

“Yes, sir. I should be there by dinner hour.”

“Good girl. You get that account for me, and make me proud.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Josh Granger.
She remembered him well. Although she’d left town seven years ago, she could envision him with perfect clarity in her mind. He had the bluest eyes and a teasing smile that brought out her shyness. His family had moved into town only a couple years before she’d left, so Cindy hoped he didn’t know her secret. She was bound to run into many old faces, forcing her to relive a life she wanted forgotten. The best she could do would be to stay out of public places, complete her job, and then get the hell out of Dodge.

Cindy stopped by her family ranch to pick up a few product samples before her long drive north. Her mother was sitting on the porch, rocking on her bench swing.

“I missed you this morning,” said Cindy as she walked towards the house.

“You left before the sun rose. Are you home for lunch?” Her mother was knitting a white layette for a neighbor due with her first child. Cindy knew she’d rather be making one for her own daughter. But that day may never come at the rate she was going. She had no husband, no boyfriend, no prospects, and no real desire to change any of it. Cindy had originally told herself she was only living with her parents until she saved enough money for her own little place. But that promise was seven years in the making, and she was still in the same predicament. She had little saved and grew more distant emotionally each passing year.

“No, I had a couple house calls, and now I’m heading to the Granger Ranch. Just needed a few supplies first.”

Her mother set her knitting to the side, a look of concern softening her features. Her blonde hair was rolled up in a loose knot. Everyone said she looked exactly like Cindy when she was younger. “You sure you’re okay with that? I know Mr. Oakley would understand if you told him you weren’t comfortable heading back there.”

She shook her head. “It’s okay, Ma. I’m not the same girl I was at twenty. I’ll be just fine.” The girl she was years ago was lost, never to be found again. Cindy had reinvented herself, started over, with no looking back. She only hoped her heavy emotional guards would stay intact once faced with the painful memories of her childhood years.

Only her parents had stood by her side through thick and thin. She wished she could give them the grandchildren they dreamt of, but she doubted she’d ever find a man willing to accept her for who she was—faults and all.

Cindy headed out, ready to get her assignment over with. Maybe she wouldn’t see Josh Granger at all. If she was lucky, she’d only deal with his father. She rolled the window partially down and turned up the music. The country twang instantly soothed her, bringing down her rising nerves. She’d accomplished a lot since she left her home town, and she was proud of herself. After taking a two year course in agricultural management, she was hired on by Oakley Irrigation. Now Cindy was an independent working woman with a strong name in the trade. It felt good to make her own money, not needing to rely on anyone for charity. She would have had a lot more savings, but her goal was to pay off her parents’ mortgage so they could have some peace in their retirement years.

As she neared her location, she noted how dry the land appeared. The installation of an irrigation system often dictated if a farm would survive the long term or not. It was the reason she was called here now. She brought hope to farmers losing money on dry weather.

By the time she was in the heart of her old stomping grounds she was hungry and beat. She pulled in front of the town diner hoping to get a bite to eat before she showed up at her client’s home. The small brass bells jingled against the glass as she walked in, the scent of bacon and coffee assaulting her senses. Not much had changed since she remembered, as if everything was preserved from an era gone by.

A few farmers were eating in a far booth, but they only briefly glanced at her before returning to their meals.

“Can I help you, sweetheart?” The waitress leaned against the counter, watching her every move. Like any small town, strangers were a rarity.

Cindy ordered her food and then sat at the counter on one of the red vinyl, swiveling stools.

“You’re new around here.”

She shook her head. “Just here on business. I’m not staying.”

“Who you have business with?” asked the blonde waitress.

“The Granger Ranch is looking into installing an irrigation system.”

“Sounds mighty expensive.”

“Not necessarily. It saves in the long run when there aren’t any crops to write-off.” She sipped on her drink. “It’s a smart move.”

The waitress arched an eyebrow. “They know you’re a woman?”

Cindy wanted to roll her eyes but kept her composure. Too many people were in the Dark Ages when it came to women working in traditional male roles. “Doesn’t really matter. I’m here to get a job done.”

The older lady smirked, leaning over conspiratorially. “There be two brothers on that ranch. Josh and Adam. You’d be smart to keep your wits about you when you head on over. They may just eat a cute, young thing like you alive.”

Although Cindy vaguely remembered the waitress, she obviously didn’t recognize her. In the past seven years Cindy’s curves had filled out, her hair had grown long, and she carried herself with a confidence she never possessed back then.

Cindy scowled after the waitresses comment. “I work with cowboys every day. I think I can handle a couple more.”

“Sure you can, sweetheart.” She turned to grab the coffee carafe when one of the patrons called her name. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Ha!
Cindy finished her meal as quickly as she could, barely enjoying it. Not only did she want to return home as soon as possible, but she didn’t want to hear any more gossip about a town she wanted to forget. One thing was for certain—she wouldn’t be falling for the sweet words and promises of a cowboy tonight.

“Toss down five bales,” Josh called up to his brother. Adam dropped down one at a time from his place in the hayloft.

“Hey, look!” His brother pointed out towards the road when he stopped to wipe his brow. The sun was high in the sky, only a couple working hours left before they settled inside for the night. Josh watched the billow of dust growing closer by the second. The land was slowly turning to dust. There were already reports of two more farms losing this year’s crop due to the scorching sun and lack of rain.

“Must be the guy they sent from Oakley. Didn’t think he’d show. Come on down so we can meet him,” said Josh.

It was only mid-season, but the heat was already unbearable. Josh knew an irrigation system was the way to go even though his father had been set in his old-school ways, determined not to rely on modern techniques. Now that he was head of the household, he made the important decision which could affect the future of the family farm. His brother, Adam, was a few years younger and satisfied with the life of a rancher. It was in their blood to work the land, but there was no sense making things harder on themselves when technology was able to help and they had the money to invest.

Josh grabbed a rag off the fence post and wiped down his neck and chest, slick with clean sweat. He hoped there would be some good news coming in that navy pickup. Lord knows they needed it with the devil of a season they had last year. Any more bad news in his life and he’d crack down the middle.

When a cute blonde climbed down from the truck, he did a double take. It mustn’t be the representative from Oakley.

“Can I help you, ma’am?” he asked.

The girl had a fine figure, all the curves in the right places. Her jeans were snug, fitting deliciously over her hips, leaving little to the imagination. She wore her long, blonde hair up in a high ponytail, and when she moved, it swished back and forth.

“I’m Cindy Taylor. I was sent by Oakley Irrigation to give you a quote on a new system.”

He turned to his brother who looked as stunned as he felt. The woman was a beauty but didn’t look like she knew anything about irrigation equipment. He hoped Oakley wasn’t giving him the runaround because he was young. Just because he was only thirty-four didn’t mean he was ignorant. The entire Granger estate was left in his hands, and he took the responsibility seriously. One day he wanted his own children to take over the operation, and without proper irrigation that day may never come.

“Was the usual guy ill?” he asked.

“Usual guy?” She narrowed her eyes. “I’ve been working at Oakley for five years now. Sorry, but I’m all you’ve got.” He could hear the attitude built into her voice, warning him to back off. She was feisty, and he imagined she’d be a challenge to break.

Rather than see her as a professional, he couldn’t help but study the fullness of her lips. They had a distinct pouty shape that was rare to see on a woman outside of a magazine ad. She wore no makeup but didn’t need it.

“Mr. Granger?”

He’d been silently drooling, not realizing she’d been talking. Josh felt like a lovesick school boy rather than man. He shook his head to refocus as his brother jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow. “Sorry. You say something, darlin’?”

“Look, I’ve had a long day and an even longer drive to get here. The only other irrigation installation company is five hundred miles south, and I expect they’re booked solid. So let’s stop playing games and get down to business, shall we?”

His brother snickered, but he refused to join in and get blasted by the little siren.

“You look familiar,” he said. Surely he would remember such a beautiful woman. Her eyes were a vivid blue, her hair the color of summer wheat under the midday sun.

“I can’t see why. Now where did you need irrigation equipment?”

Just business.
Josh would have to get his thoughts out of the gutter if he wanted to save his crops. Why couldn’t Oakley have sent a man in her place? Cindy was already proving to be a tempting distraction. She walked ahead of them, surveying the area. Her ass swayed back and forth as if she walked down a runway. He imagined she had no idea just how gorgeous she was, which made her even more appealing in his eyes. There was nothing more unattractive than a woman who was full of herself.

“You have a large operation here,” she said. “Will I be doing business with you or your father?”

“Our daddy passed away two years ago,” he said. “It’s just me and my brother now.”

She whirled around, nearly losing her footing. “Your father’s dead? Mr. Granger?”

“You knew him?” He saw genuine sorrow in her eyes, the blue glistening like a crystalline lake.