Safe In The Rancher's Arms. Catherine Mann

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СКАЧАТЬ in his gut alarmed him. It had been a long time since a sexual encounter turned him inside out. He’d felt invincible.

      But when he woke up this morning, Beth was gone. He told himself there was no need to jump to conclusions. Maybe she was bashful about rehashing their experience in the cold light of day...or perhaps embarrassed that someone might see her come out of his room.

      Or maybe it hadn’t been good for her.

      He refused to believe that. Beth had been like sunshine in his arms...passionate, teasing, warming him in every way possible. When he showered this morning, his body had reminded him painfully of last night’s excess. His sex hardened as he remembered the feel of her hands on his body.

      Instead of hunting her down in her room, he’d done the gentlemanly thing and waited for her in the kitchen. Then all his plans had gone awry when Jed and Kimberly showed up. Drew had not had a single opportunity to talk privately with Beth. In fact, she’d barely made eye contact with him.

      And now she was gone for the day. He could drop by the shelter again, but he had no real excuse for doing so. He’d never lacked confidence when it came to women. But he’d rather not have witnesses to a post-coital confrontation that might not turn out the way he hoped.

      He glanced at his watch and stood up. “You two lovebirds stay as long as you want. But I promised to help at the courthouse today. They’re trying to recover as many documents as possible before it rains again. I may try to speak to Colby Richardson, too. Offer my sympathies. He’s come back to town to bury his brother, Craig, and to be supportive of Craig’s widow, Paige. That and dealing with the ranch will be a lot for one man to handle.”

      Jed nodded. “Yeah, it will. I’m supposed to work a shift later. I’ll see you down there.”

      Drew hugged Kimberly, stunned to realize that the thought of being an uncle was pretty damned exciting. “Welcome to the family.”

      * * *

      As Drew neared the turn to Green Acres, he pondered Beth’s attitude toward Audie. Forget about my brother. Surely she didn’t really mean that. He turned his truck onto Beth’s road, calling himself all kinds of a fool. But try as he might, he couldn’t ignore the fact that Audie needed a job and Drew could help. Surely that would ease some of Beth’s emotional burden. She didn’t need to be worrying about her brother in addition to everything else she was juggling.

      The house looked much the same. Fortunately, the moderate temperatures had continued, so no one was in any danger of freezing to death, even if the shed wasn’t heated. Audie sat on a tree stump smoking. He didn’t move when Drew put the vehicle in park and got out.

      Drew lifted a hand. “Thought I’d stop by and check on you.”

      Audie’s nodded. “Where’s sis?”

      “Helping out at the animal shelter. I’m sure she’ll see you later.”

      “Wouldn’t count on it.” Audie paused to flick a mosquito off his knee. “Can I help you with something?”

      “Actually, I might be able to help you. One of my stable hands quit last week, so I have a job available. It’s not glamorous work. The pay is decent but not great. But since you’re staying here, you could save up a deposit for another place in town.”

      “Does Beth know you’re here?”

      A warning flag went up. “No. This is between us.”

      “She won’t like it. She doesn’t believe I’ve really changed.”

      “Changed how?”

      “I’ve been a drunk most of my life. But I finally started going to AA, and now I’ve been sober for six months. My history is why I’ve had trouble getting a job.”

      “How bad is it?”

      Audie shrugged. “I’ve had a few run-ins with the law. Nothing major. I had to clean up my act when the baby came along.”

      “We run a tight ship at Willowbrook. You would be answering to my manager. I’m doing this for your sister, but I expect a lot from my men.”

      “I hear what you’re saying.”

      “In that case, do you want the job?”

      Audie took off a stained baseball cap and scratched his head. “I don’t much like gettin’ up early.”

      Drew winced inwardly. He was beginning to see why Beth had issues with Audie. “The job is 7:30 to 4:00 with half an hour for lunch and two fifteen minute breaks. No smoking anywhere on the property.”

      “Okay. I guess I can live with that. I appreciate you taking a chance on me.”

      “Let me be straight with you, Audie. I could have a dozen guys lining up for the chance to work at Willowbrook. My stable hands are the best in the business. You’ll learn a lot from them. The only reason I’m offering you this job is because I care about your sister.”

      Audie nodded. “I bet you do.”

      Drew inhaled sharply. With two hands, he took Audie by the collar and lifted him to his toes— wishing he could put his hands around his neck.

      Audie went the color of skim milk when Drew got in his face and snarled, “You will not disrespect your sister. Are we clear?” When the man nodded, Drew released him, chest heaving.

      Beth’s skinny sibling got to his feet, grabbed up his dust-covered ball cap, and had the audacity to ask for more. “I’ll need a way to get to work. Can’t leave the wife and kid without a car.”

      This time Drew had to count to ten. “One of my guys passes here every morning. I’ll see if he’s willing to pick you up. Now do you want the job or not?”

      “Yeah. I appreciate it. I really do. But Beth may get her feathers ruffled. She’s not big on taking help.”

      “Are you the only family she has? I know your parents are gone. But no aunts and uncles? Cousins?”

      “Wouldn’t know on my dad’s side. Mama was an only child. Me and Beth aren’t bosom buddies. She’s a little uppity. Thinks she’s better than me.”

      “I warned you.”

      Audie took two steps backward. “I gotta check on things.”

      “You’ll be ready in the morning?”

      “Yup.”

      “Don’t waste this opportunity.”

      “I won’t, Mr. Farrell. You won’t be sorry.”

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