I look at the different door locks spread out in front of me. “There are only three.”
He looks confused. “Any one of these should do just fine for that door.” He points behind him. “Want me to put one in?”
I shake my head. I asked him to get me whatever they had. Not how many per se. “It’s not for the Saddle Room. Just leave it here. Thank you.”
He watches me for a moment until I look up at him from my desk.
“For Ms. Rose?”
I lean back in my chair, keeping my eyes on one of my more loyal employees.
“I’ve seen you around her place. Is she feeling threatened by anyone?”
“No.” I don’t bother asking when or how long he hangs around to notice. He’s observant. Always has been. I’m just being paranoid. And protective. “Not exactly. Wouldn’t worry about it.”
He nods curtly and leaves me with my thoughts.
I tap my pen on the desk. I don’t expect to get much done with this bag of locks staring at me. Snatching it off the desk, I march out, hop in my truck, and head to Rose’s cottage.
Everything else can wait.
It’s nearly six and Rose hasn’t come back to the Saddle Room. Against my better judgement, I decide to go check on her at the Lockup. It’s next to the stables, so I go on foot, convincing myself I’m heading in that direction anyway to pick up Tuscan for a sweep of the ranch.
Even if I’m an hour early for it.
When I reach the storage, I don’t know what I expected after hours of her being here. Maybe she’d still be figuring out what’s what and how much of it we need? Maybe even going one step ahead and ordering everything? What I didn’t expect is for it to be locked up for the night.
What the hell? Where is she?
I stride to the stables next door, hearing her distinct laughter echoing from inside. I pause when I reach the gate, finding three of my men still milling around after hours.
Rose is propped up on a wooden worktable, laughing. The guys are leaning against stalls, tossing jokes her way like it’s some kind of social hour.
Barry and Nelson are shooting the breeze with easy laughter. But Randy—he’s standing in the middle, his gaze lingering on Rose in a way I don’t like. Not quite with longing or attraction. But more questioning and judgemental.
Heat burns in my veins.
Partly because I never liked the guy.
“Y’all still here?” My voice cuts into the open space, silencing them all—almost exactly the way I intended.
From the corner of my eye, I see the men straighten.
But my eyes are on Rose.
She’s hot and sweaty, with strands of hair sticking to her flushed cheeks as she turns to me. She’s still catching her breath from laughing, the deep smile lingering. She looks good right there. With those mid-calf boots, her pink cowgirl hat and a plaid shirt—like she damn near belongs on this ranch.
“Hey, boss. Your assistant just finished up inventory over at the Lockup. Asked about your horse, so we brought her over here to meet him,” Barry tells me. A little too quick. A little too nervous.
That doesn’t add up. She already has.
Rode on him with me too. But I suppose she wouldn’t offer up that information.
The air in the room is thick. And I’m going to get to the bottom of it.
I avoid turning my glare over to my newest employee and address the guys. “Day’s over. Go on home.”
Barry and Nelson spring forward, each tipping their hat over at Rose. “We’ll, uh .?.?. talk later, Ms. Rose.”
