Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Only once he’s gone do I let out the breath I am holding. What was clear this morning is now all muddled, and I have a lot to think about.
CHAPTER 7
ELLIOTT
I tried to come back up to the house at lunch time, but I didn’t make it, and by midafternoon, there’s nothing from stopping me from going to check on Camille. My phone rings as I’m walking out of the barn, and I answer it with frustration. “Yep?”
Matt, my foreman, is on the other line, and as he starts to talk, I look between the phone and the barn that I just left. “I just left man, what’s up?”
“Shit, I know. I’m sorry, listen. Dalton’s foreman left him, and he’s got those two rug rats he’s chasing after. You have a man you can spare to help him out?”
I stop walking and look out at Dalton’s ranch off in the distance. Maddie and Rhett’s ranch is adjacent to the south side, and Dalton’s is to the west. I think about everything my friend has gone through the last few years. When his wife died and he was left with two young sons, I promised I’d do whatever to help him. “Yes, sure. Whatever he needs. Get him some help until someone gets hired and trained.”
“Got it. Thanks, boss.”
Before he can hang up, I continue, “And I’ll pay the salary of whoever goes.”
“Got it,” he says, and I hit the end button.
I walk the rest of the way to the house and go in the front door. From the entrance, I can see into my office, and a calm covers over me as I see Camille sitting behind the desk, staring at the computer screen. As I get closer and she doesn’t look up, I realize then that something is wrong. I stop next to the desk, and when she still doesn’t acknowledge me, my stomach drops. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
She tenses as she continues to type. “Nothing’s wrong.”
I cover her hand that is on the computer mouse. “Camille, you were trained in one day. No one expects you to have learned it all. It’s okay.”
She sniffs and shakes her head without looking at me. “It’s not that.”
I reach for her chin and pull it up so she’s looking at me. When I see her red, wet eyes I lean down to look at her. “What is it then?”
She pulls her head back, moving the chair as she goes. “Seriously, nothing’s wrong. I’m up to date on all the day-to-day reports. Everything’s fine. The only hiccup, and I’m sorry, but no matter how much I beg, the Feed Haven won’t send the order I made. They…” She sucks in a deep breath. “Wyatt didn’t believe I worked here and wouldn’t take the order.”
The more she says, the more my vision goes red. “You begged him?”
She bites on to her lip and nods.
I pull her against my chest and hold her to me. My heart is racing, and I’m trying to stay calm, but the thought of Camille begging anyone for anything makes me a little crazy. “You don’t beg anyone for anything.”
“But—” she starts, but I don’t let her finish.
“No, honey. You don’t beg anyone for anything.” I pull back so I can look at her face. “Do you understand?”
She nods her head, but I can see the indecision in her face. With one arm around her shoulder, I use my other hand to pull my phone out of my pocket and dial Matt.
As soon as he picks up, I tell him, “Find somewhere else to order from. We’re no longer using the Feed Haven.”
He must be able to tell by the tone of my voice that I’m not playing. “Understood.”
“That goes for anyone that works on this ranch. We are not buying anything from them again. They disrespected my woman, and I won’t fuckin’ have it.”
Matt grunts out his reply. “Understood, boss. I’ll take care of it.”
I kiss the top of Camille’s head and then release her. “I’ll be back.”
She grabs onto my shirt, and I slow down just enough for her to get in front of me. With her hands on my chest, she asks me. “What? Where are you going?”
I hold her hands to my chest. “To town. I’ll be back in a bit.”
But she doesn’t release me. She presses against me. “No way. Please don’t do this… not for me.”
The way she acts as if she doesn’t deserve to be stood up for makes me cup her face. “Fuck, Cammy. Don’t say that. Don’t ask me not to stand up for you. As long as there’s a breath in me, I won't stand by and let someone—anyone—disrespect you.”
She looks as if she’s about to cry again. “Elliott, just the fact you want to is enough for me. It means that much to me.”