The next command drones at me. I automatically flick my blinker, following the orders on autopilot. The anticipation has been bottled inside me for too long, ready to escape in a bubbly explosion. My wait might be finally over.
What appears to be an enormous ranching facility appears in the distance. Pristine white fencing frames the property that seems to extend for miles on its own. The blue dot on my map suggests that’s where I’m heading. I predict this will be a doozy for the scrapbook. In the following moment, the smug voice alerts me to my arrival, easy as that.
When I pull into a winding driveway, two youngsters pop up from their crouched positions on the concrete. Gabby and a young boy who carries a slight resemblance are covered in chalk and wearing matching grins aimed directly at me. The pair run in circles with rampant enthusiasm as I park behind Reeve’s truck.
I step out to greet them with a smile of my own. “Hey, you two.”
“Miss Griffin! You’re finally here.” Gabby skips toward me, showing off the gap between her teeth.
A peek at my watch shows two o’clock on the nose—the exact time I’m expected. This little lady needs to improve her patience beyond the classroom, it seems.
I bat my lashes at her. “Did you miss me since yesterday?”
She rolls her eyes. The sass is already strong with this one. “Um, duh. I was so super happy when Uncle Ree told me you were coming. I love being at the farm.”
“It’s a very nice one, the best I’ve seen.” And that’s a severe understatement. Each structure is bigger than the last. The layout resembles a rustic stadium but with individual buildings. It’s impossible to digest with all the sparkle and gleam. Every surface is polished to glaring perfection, even the freaking cement under my feet.
“This is Archie’s house.” Gabby hitches a thumb at the boy beside her. “He’s my second cousin or whatever.”
I offer him a wave. “Hey, kiddo. You look familiar.”
He bobs his mop of brown hair. “I’m in the third grade. Miss Kressly is my teacher.”
The pieces click together as I realize he’s in Bea’s class. “She’s the best.”
Gabby gasps. “No way. You’re way better.”
I giggle at her coming to my defense. “Thank you, sweetie.”
She beams at me. “I’m so excited. Uncle Ree is gonna—”
“Are you about to spoil my surprise, peanut?”
The three of us turn at the booming interruption.
Reeve strolls over from a barn that’s bigger than my entire block. What the hell is this place? That question fizzles into dust as I get a good look at the man walking toward me. Reeve in a ball cap is a mighty fine sight. But a cowboy hat? I’m not properly prepared for this level of sexy. As he swaggers closer, Justin Timberlake belts out that popular chorus in my head with Reeve as the muse. I’m struck dumb, completely wiped of all major functions. Consider me far past overcooked and burnt to a crisp. It’s all I can do to treat myself to a full once-over. The dark stubble on his jaw complements his cocky signature smirk. A western shirt rolled at the cuffs stretches across his brawny build. The faded jeans molded to his thighs appear custom fitted just for him. My thighs quiver from the impact. I want to ride him harder than a jackpot bull at the rodeo. He’s officially a heaping dish of yummy with extra whipped cream and cherries.
“Oh, you totally love my uncle.” Gabby slaps a palm over her mouth, muffling a loud giggle.
Holy mother of Mary, my student just caught me in the act of ogling. I swipe at my lips to wipe away any signs of drool. “What’s that now?”
She squeals, bouncing on her toes. “Don’t pretend, Miss Griffin. You have a crush on Uncle Ree.”
“What a wild imagination you have, Gabby. That’s adorable.” I palm my forehead, cursing the one responsible for making that man so damn irresistible.
Reeve hangs on the sidelines, listening to the lovely exchange, grinning like a boar rolling in slop. The desire to flip him off makes my middle finger twitch. He’s such a traitor for leaving me out to dry. Payback will be a bitch to him later.
“You’re gonna marry him. Can I be a flower girl, Miss Griffin? I know I’m your student, and that might be kinda weird, but soon you’ll be my aunt. We’ll be family. Isn’t that special? Oh, I can hardly wait.” Gabby flings her arms to the sides and spins until she’s blurry.
“Okay, whoa.” I hold up a palm. “No one is getting married, kiddo.”
“Yes-huh. I can tell. You love him.”
Is it too immature to respond with, do not? The lines between remaining professional and getting snarky are beginning to cross. “Remember we’re just friends, Gabby. That’s it.”
He must sense I’m reaching my limit, based on the blubbering. “All right, that’s enough. Scram, you troublemakers.”
“We don’t have to listen. You’re not our daddy.” Gabby stomps her little foot.
He glances at me for assistance. I only laugh. Nice try, buddy. Seems a taste of his own medicine is being served early. It’s his turn to deal with the tiny instigator.
“I’m gonna eat all your ice cream,” Reeve warns.
Her eyes widen at his threat. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Your mama always lets me have extra scoops. Maybe I’ll just eat from the carton.” He mimics spooning the stolen dessert into his mouth.
She wrinkles her button nose. “That’s mean, Uncle Ree. You need to share.”
He folds his hands and pins her with a no-nonsense stare. “And you need to be respectful to adults.”
Gabby pouts, her lower lip trembling. Oh, she’s good. I recognize that look from when she got in trouble on the playground. “Okay, fine. Come on, Archie. Let’s go pet the ponies.”
They trot off without another word, leaving me to fight against my own traitorous self. Before I
