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As we entered the barn, the dim interior light revealed the extent of the intrusion. The lock on the main storage room had been busted, the door hanging ajar. Inside, several shelves were bare where there had once been expensive tack and equipment. A sick feeling settled in my stomach.
"Damn it," I cursed under my breath, my mind racing. This wasn't just petty theft; someone had targeted the ranch for its most valuable items.
"We should call the police," Tyler suggested, his voice low.
"I will," I agreed, pulling out my phone to dial the local sheriff's office. The same dispatcher answered, her tone weary. "Yes, we'll send someone over, Heather. Again, I'm sorry this is happening."
After I hung up, Tyler and I waited in the uneasy silence of the barn. The police arrived faster this time, but their response was no more helpful. They took notes, asked routine questions, and made the expected promises to investigate, but I could tell they had little hope of finding the culprits.
"We'll do our best, Ms. Kent," one of the officers I recognized from the last incident assured me as they prepared to leave.
"Thank you," I said, though frustration boiled inside me. The feeling of being vulnerable and targeted was becoming too familiar, and I hated it.
As the police cars drove away, the dust settling back in their wake, Tyler placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We'll beef up security," he said. "Maybe install some cameras around the barn and other buildings."
I nodded, grateful for his proactive stance. "Let's do that. I'm not letting this happen again."
I met Tyler outside the tool shed, where we stored the new security cameras and installation gear. Today’s task was to outfit the ranch with a set of eyes that would hopefully deter any future attempts to disturb the peace of Horseshoe Lake. Despite the seriousness of the undertaking, the prospect of spending the day working alongside Tyler injected a spark of lightness into my mood.
"Alright," Tyler said, pulling a box from the pile we had assembled. "We’ve got several high-definition cameras here. The plan is to cover all the main access points and particularly vulnerable spots, like the barn and back entrances."
I grabbed a camera, turning it over in my hands. It was heavier than it looked, its casing cold and metallic. "Let’s get started then. The sooner we have these up, the better I’ll sleep tonight."
Tyler chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You and me both. I'll take care of the high mounts if you handle the wiring. Ever done anything like this before?"
"A bit," I admitted as we walked toward the first installation point. "My dad was a bit of a tech junkie. He liked to make sure I knew how to handle tools and fix things. Said it was essential survival skills."
"That’s a good dad," Tyler said with a nod, handing me some tools from his belt.
We started at the barn, the scene of the break-in. Tyler climbed a ladder to affix the first camera to a high corner that overlooked the main entrance and part of the paddock. I watched him for a moment, admiring the ease with which he handled the equipment.
"You sure you’re okay with the wiring?" Tyler called down, his voice echoing slightly in the spacious barn.
"Pretty sure," I called back, bending over the open wiring panel. "But shout if you hear any sparks or see any smoke," I added, only half-joking.
"Will do," he laughed, his voice carrying a note of amusement that made me smile as I connected wires.
The day progressed, and we fell into a comfortable rhythm. Tyler would set up a camera, then come down to help me with the more intricate wiring if needed. Our hands brushed a few times, sending unexpected jolts of warmth up my arm. Each touch lingered a little longer than necessary, and I found myself anticipating the next one with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
By midday, we had installed half of the cameras and decided to break for lunch. We sat on the tailgate of my truck, shared sandwiches from a cooler, and talked about everything from our favorite movies to our thoughts on the best horse training methods. The conversation was easy, filled with laughter and playful jabs.
"So, Heather," Tyler said, "ever think you'd end up running a ranch out here?"
I shrugged, taking a sip of water. "It wasn’t the plan, but I can’t say I’m not enjoying it. It’s... fulfilling in a way I didn’t expect. What about you? Ever think you’d be a ranch hand turned part-time security installer?"
He grinned, tossing a crumpled napkin at me. "Can’t say I did. But I like the unpredictability. Keeps things interesting."
We cleaned up and returned to work, the afternoon slipping by as we moved around the property and set up the remaining cameras. Our conversation turned lighter, more flirtatious. At one point, while adjusting a camera angle, Tyler stood very close, his hand guiding mine.
"Like this," he said, his voice lower now, his body heat mingling with mine. "See, it covers the whole entrance this way."
"Perfect," I whispered, acutely aware of his proximity, the smell of his cologne mixing with the scent of hay and earth around us.
We installed the last camera as the sun began to dip below the horizon. Stepping back, we both admired our handiwork. "There," I said, dusting my hands off on my jeans. "Let’s see anyone try to mess with Horseshoe Lake now."
Tyler laughed, his eyes sparkling with a mix of pride and something else—something deeper. "No one would dare, not with you here."
The comment hung between us, charged with an unspoken question that neither of us seemed ready to answer. For a moment, we just stood there, the air filled with the electric hum of potential.
