“Our kitchen staff is too small. A few years back we made it a requirement that the hosts choose their own caterer to avoid any complaints or disappointments.”
“Smart.”
He plates my breakfast. “So, you’ve been here a whole week.How’s it going? Other than the fact that you’ve been late every day.”
I purse my lips. “How do you know?”
Wes leans against the counter with his arms crossed, watching me with an intensity that would make anyone shift in their seat. Or maybe just me, because I’m not sure I’ve stopped blushing since I left the Saddle Room. “Wild guess.”
I glance down at the beverage. “So he hasn’t complained?”
Wes hesitates. “No. But I heard some of the guys at breakfast complaining about their paychecks. Take it that’s your doing?”
“I just didn’t categorize some hours right .?.?. or the rates.”
Wes blows out a heavy breath. “Shit, did he yell at you? Oh no, did you slap him?”
I laugh. “I’m not sure I could reach him if I wanted to. But no, he just said he’d do it himself.”
He cocks his head like it’s foolish for me to get upset over this. “Cut yourself a break. You’ll get the hang of it. I’m not great with numbers either. But I know there’s a hell of a lot youaregood at.” He shrugs. “Just have to find how it fits in.”
I roll my shoulders back. He’s right. “I’ve got this. If I can survive ranch living, I can handle a grumpy cowboy.”
He huffs. “Millie’s old cottage is hardly ranch living. The place looks like Mary Poppins threw up in it.”
I don’t react. I sip my fresh coffee instead. But my brother’s radar is too good.
“Rose?”
“I .?.?. refused the cottage.”
“What do you mean you refused the cottage?” There’s that tone again.
“Wes, I can’t take Dallas’s dead fiancée’s house. It wouldn’t feel right.”
Another deep exhale. “Where have you been staying?”
“Cabin number four,” I say, like I’m naming some fancy hotel.
Wes laughs. “No, really, where are you staying? You got an Uber taking you back and forth from The Springs Inn?”
“There’s aninn? Seriously, when are you going to give me a tour of the town?”
He drops his head in his hands. “Oh my God, youarestaying in a cabin. Rose. What, are you afraid of a ghost? Millie didn’t die in that house.”
“I know, but it’s weird. It almost feels disrespectful to just use her stuff and sleep on her bed. What if I move things out of place and they get upset?”
Wes smirks.
“What?”
“Does our wild child have a soft side?”
I cock my head. “Only for those who matter to you, big brother.”
Wes shakes his head. “Well, in that case, spare my best friend if he gets a little snippy sometimes.”
“What’s his deal, anyway?”
