Page 27 of Guys Like Him
Kieran got a whiff of the lotion he’d put on to help calm the horse. He couldn’t say it worked, but the stuff sure smelled good, and he appreciated the lengths Finley would go to for Nellie. The horse neighed and shook her head from side to side, allowing Kieran to see the pretty braid Finley had woven into her mane. He reached up and ran his finger over his boss’s handiwork and let out a soft whistle.
“Prettiest damn horse ever,” Kieran said.
Nellie must’ve felt it because she practically pranced back to her stall. Once she was secure, Finley called Tyler over and told him which horses had abrasions and asked him to scrutinize their stalls and check the fence for large splinters.
“Yes, sir,” he said. “Sure you don’t want to play poker with us again tonight?”
“I’m sure,” Finley replied. “Maybe next weekend.”
After washing up in the sink, they grabbed more water and headed out.
“Be ready in an hour?” Finley asked him when they stopped outside Kieran’s cabin.
“I can be ready in twenty minutes.”Fuck.Did that sound too eager?
Finley laughed and continued toward the old homestead. “See you in thirty minutes.”
Kieran didn’t dare linger long in the shower, though rubbing one out before getting in a cramped space would’ve been smart. He didn’t have many shirts to choose from and went with a deep-red button-up that was nice enough to wear to the festival without looking like he’d spent fifteen of his thirty minutes trying to decide what to wear. He found Finley waiting for him at a silver truck with a black logo on the sides—the opposite of Cash’s truck. And speak of the devil, Cash stood with his elbow propped on the edge of the truck bed and smiled at whatever Finley was saying.
He felt foolish for surmising they could be lovers. It hadn’t taken him long to realize the only thing between the two men was a friendship and mutual respect, though the pair couldn’t be more different. Finley was warm and open where Cash was aloof and enigmatic, but they shared a work ethic that was unparalleled. Since the time he arrived, he’d witnessed Cash working in the trenches with everyone else, including shoveling shit in the horse barn. He didn’t complain or make excuses for someone else to do the dirty work. Cash greeted each of the horses with affection and snuck them treats when Finley wasn’t looking. Even Nellie seemed to tolerate him well. She hadn’t tried to bite his ass even once.
Cash had laughed and said, “We understand each other. I pay for the food Nellie likes to eat.”
Kieran had thought about that for a few days while observing everything happening around them. The farm operation and payroll had to cost a small fortune. Was he supposed to believe Cash paid that out of his personal wealth? He understood the ranch generated income from selling hops and honey but enough to float the operation? Did Cash have a partner or silent investors? Every time Kieran turned around, he had more questions about Cash Sweeney, and many were ones he could ask the rancher himself without raising suspicion. He should be hanging around the ranch and trying to get answers instead of going to the art festival. Then Finley glanced over at him and smiled. Kieran’s heart skipped a beat, and he decided he could chat Cash up at breakfast the next morning.
“No way, Fin,” Cash said when Kieran reached them. “Thank goodness Kieran is here to settle the debate.”
Kieran arched a brow. “I’ll try.”
“If you only got to choose one dessert to eat for the rest of your life, would it be cherry crisp or coconut cream pie?”
“Cherry crisp.”
“Yes!” Finley said, punching the air. His smug smile only made his lips look more kissable.
Cash sighed and shook his head. “I’m so disappointed.”
Finley patted him on the shoulder. “Luckily, you aren’t forced to settle for cherry crisp, and I will bring you back a piece of coconut cream from the diner.”
“And that’s why you’re my favorite,” Cash said, causing Finley to snort and roll his eyes. “You guys have a great time.”
Favorite?Kieran looked between them, trying to figure out the private joke.
Finley must’ve read the confusion in his gaze because he said, “Which one of us is Cash’s favorite is a running joke on the ranch.”
“Is there a point system?” Kieran asked. “A cash prize for the winner?”
Cash tilted his head back and laughed. “Bragging rights. Don’t give these guys any more incentive to become menaces.” He pushed off the truck and stepped forward. “Don’t let me keep you guys. Drive safe.”
“Always,” Finley said as he rounded the vehicle.
Cash whistled a jaunty tune as he headed toward the house. If Kieran stood there watching him too long, Finley might get the impression that he had the hots for the rancher. He pulled the passenger door open and climbed inside the cab, which was spotless and smelled like a forest. Kieran glanced at the rearview mirror and saw a cardboard tree with the New Hope logo swinging from it.
“Your mom makes air fresheners too?” Kieran asked as Finley started the engine.
His boss shifted the truck into drive and pressed the accelerator. “She dabbles in a bit of everything.”
Kieran thought about the little bottle of lube and shifted in his seat when his pants felt too tight. “What do you like to use besides the salve?” Why the hell had he asked that? It was too personal, and he’d only imagine the man using each product. Too bad he couldn’t take it back.