I raise an eyebrow, softening, but only a tad. “Well, like I said, he’s not here. Maybe I can help? This have anything to do with damage to property? You here to serve him or something?”
The man frowns. “No. Is Dallas a violent man? Should I be worried?” The way he asks isn’t sharp or rude, just firm. Still, it hits like a challenge.
“Should I?”
The man stares at me.
“No,” I sigh. “He’s not a violent man. He’s a kind soul who’s hurting at the moment, so we’re giving him some time. You’ll have to excuse me if I’m being protective of my big brother when a stranger stops in demanding to see him.”
As if he’s been holding it in the entire time, the man releases a steady breath. “I understand. And no, I’m not here for trouble. I’ll see myself out.”
“Look, mister, we don’t get many strangers wandering into our main office asking to see one of the owners. If it’s important enough to track him down, maybe you can tell me what’s going on.”
The man hesitates, his eyes narrowing like he’s going to say something. But then he stops, shakes his head again, and backs off. “I’ll come back,” he says simply, then leaves.
I stare at the door for a long moment, my jaw tight. “You ever seen him before?”
“Nope. But he was cute. Did ya have to kick him out so quickly?”
I shake my head and place my hat back on. “Thanks again, Ginger.”
“I’d bet my paycheck he’s not done with us yet.”
“Yeah,” I mutter, my mind already turning over possibilities. None of them are good. “I better go talk to Dallas. See if he has any clue who that might’ve been.”
11
Rose
My muscles ache. The soles of my boots are caked with dirt. My hair is out of control with the humidity. I don’t know if it’s the week catching up with me or if today just seemed like I’d walked the entire perimeter of the ranch.
Weakly, I push the screen door to the main office. To my relief, Ginger is still here. “Thank goodness I caught you in time. I wanted to bring you these.” I hand her the corrected timecards. “Sorry I took a little longer than expected. Things kept cropping up. Phone kept ringing.”
“I know all about that, dear. Don’t worry, I’ve been waitin’ for ya.” She takes them from me and gets started.
“Can I help?”
“Oh Lord, no. This part’s easy. You go home now. Get some rest. Although it is a Friday night—I’m sure you young ones have plans.”
“Not tonight, unfortunately. I still don’t have a car until Wesley figures out a way for me to get around, so I’m stuck here.”
She gives me a pointed look. “Well, you’ve got yourself abrand-new-lookin’ cart. Use that.”
My eyes widen. “Oh no, Brett said it’s not made for roads, potholes and gravel and such.”
She pulls down her glasses. “Yeah, well, that didn’t keep you from stealing one, did it?”
I press my lips together, wincing playfully. Ginger looks over my shoulder. “Hey, Jake?”
I glance back. Jake is one of the younger ones on staff. Funny and sweet, from our few encounters.
“Hey, Rose.” He smiles. “What’s up, Ginger?”
“Listen, before you go, boss says the tires on Rose’s cart ain’t cuttin’ it. If she ends up on a dirt road or anywhere rough, they’re just gonna tear up. Think you can switch ’em out for somethin’ sturdier? Like them all-terrain ones?”
He considers this for a moment, while I bite my lip, then nods. “Yeah, I think I got something.” He turns to me. “OK if I drop it off in the morning?”
“Uh, sure,” I answer nervously. “It’s just outside. I can make it back to the cabins on foot.”
