Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek, #3) (10)

“Let me introduce y’all to my ranch hands and brother,” Noah says, finally bringing them up here to meet us.

Ellie’s parents walk behind her and as soon as their eyes land on my shirt, their smiles fall.

Fuck. My arms go back to covering the text. I should’ve turned it inside out but got distracted the moment I laid eyes on Ellie.

“This is Ruby and Trey. They clean the stalls, feed and water the boarders, and also help tack up the horses for me. You’ll probably see a lot of ’em when you’re here.”

As they exchange pleasantries with Ellie and her parents, I study her for any recognition that we’ve met before, but nothing comes to mind. She doesn’t even look old enough to get into a bar and if we met at a rodeo or anywhere else for that matter, I’d remember those bright blue eyes. But still, she stares at me like I’ve insulted her or somehow did her wrong.

“This is one of my older brothers, Landen. He’s gonna help with your trainin’,” Noah tells Ellie.

I hold out my hand to tell her how it’s nice to meet her, but she ignores it. Instead, her brows rise to her hairline as a wave of panic flashes across her beautiful face.

And then her gaze snaps to Noah. “I thought I was only workin’ with you.”

“Primarily, yes. But with only three months until the season ends, we can use any extra eyes to help with your trainin’ and gettin’ your name out there before next year. He’s good at pointin’ out problem areas and has been around barrel racin’ for years. It won’t be every session, just when I need a second opinion.”

Ellie’s eyes finally meet mine and they’re cold as ice. “Oh.”

Her mom touches her shoulder and squeezes it. “If it’s for the sake of you and Ranger, more help and experience is a good thing.”

Although Ellie looks tense and ready to argue, she releases a shallow breath at her mom’s words.

“Should be fine, then.” Ellie’s gaze lowers down my T-shirt before I remember to cross my arms again.

Well, that was beyond fucking weird.

She doesn’t even know me and already has a vendetta against me.

But what the hell for?

When I look at her father, he’s giving me that stern look you’d give to some punk kid taking out your daughter for the first time. Not someone who’s helping her.

“Let’s go inside the barn for a tour, and I’ll show y’all Ranger’s new home.” Noah waves them toward the large doors, and I’m left standing in confusion.

“Shit…they do not like you.” Ruby chuckles.

“So it wasn’t just me who noticed?” I deadpan.

She giggles, giving my shirt another glance. “I bet the parents didn’t appreciate your choice of clothes but not sure why Ellie was givin’ you the stink face.”

“How uptight do ya gotta be for a shirt to insult you that much? I mean, c’mon…” I pull the hem and stretch it out, reading it again upside down. “It’s not even mine, but it’s hilarious at the very least. Woulda made for a good icebreaker if she weren’t attemptin’ to blow up my head with her devil eyes.”

Ruby full-on belly laughs. “Now that I woulda paid to watch.”

“Maybe they’ve heard about your reputation and don’t wanna be associated with you,” Trey suggests.

“What reputation?” I ask, insulted. “That I’m a hard worker, that I’ve been helpin’ on my family’s ranch since I was five years old, or how I work sixty-hour weeks? Yeah, goddamn. What a rep to frown upon.” I roll my eyes because now I’m just annoyed at the accusations that I did something to piss her off when I’ve never even met her before two minutes ago.

“Probably the one where you’re a playboy and they don’t want you anywhere near their precious barrel racer.” Ruby pokes me in the side. “Whatever it is, I wouldn’t go out of your way to annoy her. It’s Noah’s reputation on the line, too.”

I scoff because Noah’s a saint in everyone’s eyes and has nothing to worry about. She could bring a man home twice her age and no one would blink twice about it.

“Does she have an older sister you slept with and later ghosted?” Trey asks.

“I don’t think so…” I shrug but honestly that’s the only thing that’d make sense.

“Wait, I think she’s an only child. Pretty sure that’s what Noah told me when I asked if she had a hot older brother,” Ruby says.

Well, shit, there goes that theory.

“Didn’t you and Nash just celebrate your six-month anniversary up in Willow Branch Mountain last weekend?” I ask since I’m the one who gave her that suggestion in the first place. I haven’t been there in a hot minute, but I know it’s still a hot attraction for couples.

“We did, but it doesn’t mean I’m tied down. A girl can still window shop,” she defends.

I snort. “And I’m the one with the playboy reputation?”

Ten minutes pass before Noah returns with Ellie and asks me to help unload Ranger while she goes over the paperwork with Ellie’s parents.

I follow Ellie to the back of her trailer, admiring every inch of her body, but when she quickly turns around, my gaze is still on her ass.