We bounced up the rutted road in Jarod's old battered pick-up truck until we reached the top of the hill. It was windy and cool but the sky was as blue as glass and brightly colored leaves cascaded down around us.
"Get ready," he said when we reached the top of the hill and drove between two gigantic oak trees. The trees opened up into a huge field, flat and open and beautiful. The big old weathered barn stood at the far end like a tired old man.
"Pretty isn't it?" Jarod asked, almost to himself as he leaned on the steering wheel and gazed out the windshield. There was a hint of pride in his voice.
I had to agree. Even though we both worked for the owner of this property, we were all kind of spellbound by the beauty of this mountainous region.
"Sure is," I said, still curious as to why he'd brought me along to do this simple task.
The truck started moving again and we drove along a pathway around the field ending up right in front of the barn.
"Come on," Jarod said, climbing out of the vehicle.
I zipped up my jacket and tagged along. Now, I don't mind following Jarod anywhere. It gives me a chance to watch the way his jeans hug his lean ass and powerful, muscular thighs. Of course, I don't miss the way those broad shoulders taper into his narrow waist either.
He opened the sliding barn door with a loud squeal which sent startled birds flying everywhere. Inside it was dusty and filled with square bales of hay stacked neatly floor to ceiling. A narrow set of steps ran along one wall and he started in that direction. Again, I followed.
"You're probably wondering why I asked you to come with me," he said once we were upstairs.
There was a huge opening on one end that gave us a perfect view of the countryside below and hay was just scattered around loosely on either side of us.
"I was kind of wondering," I said, following him deeper into the shadow of the barn.
