On a Gamble Read Online Free Page B

nodded. “I’m fine, Grandma. Don’t worry.”
    Her grandma simply inclined her head, and resumed her task.
    Charlie headed outside, finding Alex leaning against the fence. His arms crossed over his chest, his hair rustling lightly in the breeze. As if in a trance like state, she continued to hold his gaze, as he held hers. And had to fight to tear her eyes away.
    Damn he was sexy.
    Like a pesky fly, she shooed the image free.
    “Let’s feed the chickens,” she said, walking past him.
    He eventually followed, handing her a pair of gloves that rested in the pail.
    Going to grab the milk jugs, she made her way to the food bin. Upon seeing the nearly empty contents, she muttered a soft curse.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “We’re out of chicken feed, and it’s up in storage.”
    “Okay, where?”
    She pointed to the ladder leading to the hayloft. Holy cow, that was the most he’d said to her all morning. Not that she blamed him. She hadn’t been much of a conversationalist either.
    Holding tight onto the ladder, she tried to keep her eyes averted to the ground, but within seconds, curiosity got the best of her. Her eyes connected, and landed on his gorgeous backside. Wow, but he had a really nice ass.
    Nice ass or not, she averted her stare.
    “Where do you have it stored?” His question from above drifted to her ears, cutting her thoughts in half.
    “It’s next to the spare tools, to your left.”
    Silence, then, “It sure is roomy up here.”
    Flame and smoke heated her cheeks as she recalled just how roomy it was.
    Christ, enough already!
    Charlie stepped away from the ladder as if burned. He was an employee, and she had no right to think of helping herself to him. Her thoughts stopped in their tracks as she spotted him coming down the ladder.
    “Okay.” He set the bag down at her feet. “All set.”
    “All right, thank you so much.”
    He eyed her quizzically. “You okay?”
    Charlie gave a decisive nod, her stomach twisted in knots. Jesus, she hoped he couldn’t read minds. “I’m fine, thank you.”
    He assisted her in lifting the bag, and they proceeded to pour feed into the container. Her nostrils filled with his masculine scent, and permeated the large space.
    She gathered her senses, and scooping the feed into the bucket, buried the dangerous thoughts down deep.
    Two hours later, they’d finished feeding the chickens, and completing various tasks. The strenuous work of the day settled into her bones, and her muscles ached. A nice, cool dip sounded good, and would take the edge off her raging hormones. Which proved most puzzling of all, because she needed to contain herself, and quickly.
    Only one place came to mind. “Let’s take a walk.”
    “Where?”
    “You’ll see.” She smiled, setting her tools down, and taking her gloves off. Wiping her palms on her jeans, she washed her hands at the sink.
    After he finished, she led him down the path leading to her sanctuary as a child, and even now as a grown up.
    “You enjoy this don’t you? Farm life,” he asked.
    She sighed, her body relaxed as they continued to walk. “Yes, very much. After leaving the city it took time to get used to it, but now I can’t imagine being anyplace else on earth. This is home.”
    He smiled, the sheer force of it hitting her square in the chest, a disarming, sexy smile that threw her completely off guard. Just when she decided to write him off, he’d gone and smiled at her like that, an intoxicating blend of lips, teeth, and facial hair. Good grief his smile could probably melt the biggest ice burg. Odd, she’d never found facial hair such a turn-on before, but it suited him.
    Should she have hired him in the first place? Having someone around that made her stomach do flips, and her toes curl probably wasn’t the best course of action. She needed help sure, but maybe someone less attractive would have made things easier.
    How am I going to do this?
    Memories of the past loomed overhead, of whispered voices,