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A ghost of a smile passes over his beautiful plushy lips. “Nah, more like tracking your scent.”

“That’screepy.”

“It kinda was, wasn’t it?” He shrugs and laughs, Ruby, my red-haired stray cat is at his feet rubbing against his leg. I’m jealous of a kitty. If only he was rubbing my kitty.

Ew, Aly, no. Don’t say kitty.

Ridge lifts his eyes to mine and sends me another relaxed smile. “Plans for today?”

“Not really.”

“I actually went for a run this morning to find you.” He glances down at the cat, then at me, squinting into the sunlight as he brings the hem of his shirt up to wipe the sweat from his forehead. “Think the boys would want to help around the track?”

Did you see the shirt move? Did you notice the way my nipples hardened? Probably not. I was quick to cover them up.

“I think you did that on purpose.”

He throws his head back. “I totally did. About the track. . . do you think they’d like that?”

“What exactly do you want them doing? They’re just kids. I can’t imagine there’s a lot around there they could do.”

“Easy stuff. Running the tractor, repairing fences, picking up trash, maybe running the back hoe, that sort of thing.” He’s smiling by the end, and I know he’s teasing, but I also know he wants to involve them. His way of getting Cash to lighten up is to spend some time with him. I like that. In fact, I think it’d be good for him to have something to do aside from sports that remind him of his dad.

But then again, is spending more time with Ridge a good idea?

The way he’s watching me, with his dark irises undressing me, it makes me want to throw myself at him.Oh, what the hell. Live a little, ya control freak.

I nod to the boys. “I’m sure they would. Ask them.”

“Okay. I will.” Winking at me, he turns to the boys. “Hey, dudes, wanna get dirty today?”

Their eyes go wide like he’d just asked if they wanted sugar. “Uh, yeah!” Grady yells, tossing the wash mitt aside.

Cash stands there, waiting.

“Uh, no.” Ridge points to the mitt Grady dropped. “Pick that up. Let’s finish your mom’s car first.”

A man who follows through with commitments. Who knew they existed.