Man, it had been too long since she’d been on date. She’d been busy with school and unsure where a job would take her, so she’d put men on hold. Now one was holding her, or at least her hand, and that small touch was doing all sorts of things to her insides. Stupid things. Landon wasn’t interested in her. He’d probably just come over to spy on her—to see if she was struggling, and she’d rewarded him with a lovely dive into a manure pile.
Now he’d go home and tell his brothers that she’d obviously never done a real day’s labor in her life because a little shoveling had ripped her skin to shreds.
“If you inherit the ranch,” Landon said, “are you still going to sell it?”
“I told my parents I’d give it to them.”
Landon paused, his eyes snapping to hers. “You’re just going to give it to them? Do you have any idea what Coyote Glen is worth?”
“Yes. It’s worth my dad feeling like his daughter loves him even if his father didn’t.”
Landon stared at her in disbelief mixed with admiration. Finally he said, “I don’t think that’s the message Cal meant to send, but I hope my kids are as generous and loyal as you are.”
A sweet compliment. Her friends back in Seattle had all told her she was being stupid.
Done with the ointment on her right hand, Landon placed a strip of gauze against her palm. He was so near that she could’ve swept away the blond strands that fell against his forehead.
She shouldn’t be thinking those sorts of things about a guy who could take her ranch, and it said something for his magnetism that she had those thoughts anyway.
Landon taped the bandage in place and moved to her other hand. He spread ointment across her left palm with caressing strokes. The feel of his fingers against her skin was almost worth the blisters. Was all this attention only due to neighborliness…or perhaps interest?
His eyes met hers. Close this way, she could see the white flecks in his blue irises that made a pattern like pale blue snowflakes. “For the next few days,” he said, “don’t do anything that puts pressure on your palms.”
She nodded and attempted a joking tone. “I’ll try not to do housework, ranch work, or slap anyone.”
The side of his mouth quirked up. “So, you’re saying if I want to do anything that would occasion a slap, now’s the time to do it?” His drawl made everything sound sexy.
She raised an eyebrow at him. “What did you have in mind?”
His eyes were on the bandages, but his grin grew. “I could have a lot in mind. You’re a beautiful woman, and I have a vivid imagination.”
Ah, validation. “Now I know where Jaxon learned his flirting techniques.”
“Ouch.” Landon pretended a wince. “You don’t need to lift a finger to deliver a slap.”
“That wasn’t an insult. I like Jaxon.”
“Right,” Landon said more seriously. “I seem to recall that was the case.”
How should she respond to that? Did he think she was carrying a torch for his brother? She wasn’t. Jaxon was nice enough, but over the years she’d seen too many men like him—guys who loved getting female attention so much that it was a sport to them. Those sorts of men never wanted to settle down into a real relationship. She was more interested in Landon’s type—the sort who didn’t flirt indiscriminately. Except that she’d just accused him of flirting like Jaxon, so she couldn’t very well tell Landon she didn’t go for that type. He’d think she was telling him she wasn’t interested in him.
And now she’d waited too long to speak.
“That should do it.” Landon taped an edge of the bandage in place and surveyed his work. “Remember not to get your hands dirty, or they could become infected. Have Dewayne handle anything hard.”
Yeah. And this advice was coming after Dewayne had already given her the easy job because she didn’t know how to fix pumps or work on irrigation pipe. “I will. Thanks for your help.”
Landon put the tape and scissors back into the box. He would leave soon, and she didn’t want him to. She’d only spent two days by herself on Coyote Glen, but the loneliness of the rest of the week and month and year loomed in front of her. “How did you know the first aid kit was in the barn?”
He shrugged. “I’ve had my share of injuries. Cal had to patch up a wound or two.”
Kate turned her hands over and set them carefully on her lap. “It’s just like my grandpa to put the first aid kit somewhere impossible to find. I’m glad you knew where it was, or I would’ve had to drive to Bisbee for Band-Aids using only my fingertips.”
Landon snapped the lid shut. “Cal was being practical. Most injuries take place out on the ranch, so supplies are easier to get to in the barn. Otherwise, you’d have to walk through the house, dripping blood.”
“You’re not making me look forward to ranching. How much blood is usually involved?”
Landon shot her a grin. “You’re welcome to quit any time.”