Free Midnight Ride by Cat Johnson

their own winter feedings.
    “Anyway, not to eat and run, but I need to get out there and check on the machines. See what you’ve got and what I’ll need to pick up.”
    “I’ll show you where the equipment shed is.” She pushed her chair back from the table. If he was really going to do her this enormous favor, she needed to at least help in any way she could.
    “Stay and finish your meal. I’ll find it on my own.”
    “No, don’t be silly. I can show you where we keep the tools and oil. Maybe we’ve got everything you need already.” Janie realized she was still saying we even though, as they’d just discussed, she was completely alone here. She moved past that thought. “Besides, I’m a grazer when it comes to eating. I’ll probably wrap that back up for later.”
    After a moment’s hesitation, he dipped his head. “All right. I’d appreciate a tour. Then, once I have the lay of the land, I won’t need to bother you anymore. I can just start work when I get here.”
    “It would be no bother. Believe me.”
    What was funny was that she suspected she’d like nothing better than having Tyler come knocking to ask her something or another. Maybe she’d omit a few key places on her tour so he’d have to come and find her. As she led the way out the back door, she realized she’d most likely lost her mind. Or maybe she was just lonely.
    Their conversation had only reinforced the truth of her new reality. She had no close family and only one good friend who was as busy as a beaver. Janie would have to rectify that situation, because counting on this wild young cowboy as a substitute for the companionship missing in her life was sure to be a bad idea.
    She supposed she could open one of those online dating accounts. That thought left her feeling as cold as Tyler made her hot. Crap.

Chapter Nine
    Tyler had already put in a good bit of work at Janie’s before he pulled into Rohn’s driveway to start his day there. Slowing on the gravel drive, he saw Colton’s truck was already parked by the feed shed.
    It was no surprise that Colton had arrived first. Tyler had tried to get there on time, but it took him longer to finish up than he’d anticipated. Not to mention the time spent scrubbing his hands to get the grease off in the slop sink in her barn. He couldn’t arrive at work looking as if he’d already been to work. Colton would be sure to notice and ask questions. Questions Tyler didn’t feel like answering.
    “Morning.” Tyler nodded and moved toward the buckets Colton had already filled with horse feed.
    “Hey.” Colton returned his greeting. “Where were you last night?”
    “What do you mean?” He had hoped that if he kept his head down and concentrated on work, there would be less time for chatter. He wasn’t so lucky. Colton was the inquisitive type.
    Tyler had woken way too damn early that morning. He was tired, and trying to come up with an excuse on the fly was beyond him at the moment. Stalling and playing dumb seemed the best option. He sure as hell didn’t want Colton to know he’d been at Janie’s house until after dark last night working in her equipment shed. Or that he’d been back there by sunrise this morning to finish the job.
    “I called your cell and you didn’t answer.”
    “You called me? Why? What’s up?”
    “Justin and I ended up going out.”
    “Good to hear. He must be feeling better.” Another topic of conversation was exactly what Tyler needed to avoid answering Colton’s question. “When’s he coming back to work? He say?”
    “He has to go to the medical center this week. If the doc clears him, he’ll be back to work.”
    “Good.” Still stalling and not answering Colton’s original question, Tyler nodded. “That’s real good. Three guys are surely better than two.”
    The three of them working at Rohn’s place would mean Tyler could sneak over to Janie’s earlier each day. Though how the hell he was going to get out from under Colton and