Page 25 of More Than This Land

His lips quirked. “Maybe. Or maybe I needed someone stubborn enough to challenge me even when I told her not to.”

Granny Mama’s house came into view at the end of the street. She almost winced at the reality that her time with Luke had come to an end. He frustrated her, challenged her, and made her think outside her own comfort zone. She kind of liked it. She liked him, stubbornness and all. “Also a possibility. It wasn’t easy watching you negotiate like relationships don’t matter, and I couldn’t keep sitting there and not interfere. Sometimes caring about someone means challenging them even when it’s uncomfortable.”

“Caring about someone.” Luke repeated slowly.

Heat flooded her cheeks and spread down her neck. “I mean as your consultant. Obviously. Professional caring. About your business decisions. And their impact.” She was babbling. She needed to stop babbling.

“Obviously.” Luke’s smile warmed, and tiny crinkles appeared beside his eyes.

They pulled into the driveway and Luke parked beside her sedan. Neither moved.

“Claire.” Luke turned in his seat. “I’m trying to be better, but I’m going to mess up a lot while I figure this out.”

“That’s okay. Growth is messy.”

“Will you keep calling me out when I mess up?” Hope threaded through the question.

She gathered her portfolio and tried not to think about the deeper implication behind the words. “It’s literally what you’re paying me for.” Work. They worked together. That was all. Luke didn’t have any personal feelings for her. The reminder gouged at her tender feelings.

Luke climbed out of the truck and came around to open her door. “I need more people in my corner who are brave enough to tell me when I’m being an idiot. My brothers do a great job, but I’m so used to them hounding me that I tune them out most of the time.”

“You’re in luck.” Claire accepted his offered hand to help her down. His palm was warm, calloused, solid. Her pulse jumped at the contact and didn’t settle even when she stood on solid ground. “I have extensive experience dealing with stubborn ranchers who think they know everything.”

“Is that what I am?” Luke didn’t release her hand immediately. His thumb brushed across her knuckles once and she forgot how to breathe.

“Among other things.” She looked up at him, increasingly aware that he stood within kissing distance. “You’re learning. That counts for something.”

“With a teacher like you, I’d better be learning.” Luke’s gaze dropped to their joined hands, then back to her face. “Otherwise, all this challenging and intervening would be wasted effort.”

“Can’t have that.” Claire stepped back, needing distance to think before she did something utterly foolish like risk falling for him. Her hand slipped from his. “I should head inside. Granny Mama has a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.”

“Of course.” Luke moved aside to let her pass.

The walk away from him and up the steps moved with agonizing slowness. What was it about him that made her want to take a chance on building more than a business relationship? He was cold, controlled, and he thought of people in profit margins.

He was all the things she’d never wanted, but telling her heart to stop its ridiculous flutter every time he said her name was becoming impossible.

Chapter Seven

Monday might be his favorite day of the week, but Fridays came in at a close second, especially when they included clear skies and a hint of chill in the air. Perfect branding weather. Luke stood near the main corral at daybreak, surveying the preparations his crew had completed the night before. Portable panels formed working chutes. Propane heaters sat ready for the branding irons. Medical supplies lined a folding table under the equipment shed’s overhang.

Everything in place and ready to go…except one. Where were the people?

His stomach twisted tighter with each glance toward the empty driveway.

“Expecting a parade?” Caleb walked up beside him, coffee mug steaming in the cool morning air.

“Just checking the setup.” Luke shifted his weight, boots scraping against gravel.

“Uh huh.” Caleb took a long sip.

His jaw tightened. Five minutes past starting time, and only three trucks sat in the parking area. All three belonged to ranch hands.

“Smaller crew this year.” Caleb’s observation held no judgment, but Luke had enough of his own to build a whole new ranch.

“We’ll manage.” His hands curled into loose fists at his sides. “Always do. Have you heard anything from the volunteers?”

“Sure. Got a few who promised to come out. Not as many as usual, but we’ll get the job done. Maybe not as fast as that year we had forty people show up to help, but it’ll get done.” Caleb studied him over the rim of his mug.