Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Louis, the backup foreman, can handle it for a short time without him, but it’s not a position that can be left empty long-term. Louis is older, and he’s said on numerous occasions that he isn’t interested in more responsibilities here. He wants to be home by five, enjoying the dinner his wife puts on the table for him. He’s happy being second-in-command. Mark was the go-to on day-to-day operations, and he kept up with the staff here, working long hours when needed. I don’t have the desire to step into his shoes, so I’ve got to find someone to fill it. I like checking on my girls and making sure everything is in order, but I’m a caretaker by nature. Just like I am with my brothers, I can’t stop myself from making sure everyone is okay. As much as I love my farm, I know my strengths and weakness, and micromanaging operations isn’t my style. I’m more suited to the creative department.
Mark and I talk for a while, and when we’ve worked things out about when he needs to leave, I head over to the office. I’ve got a small building near the entrance of my land where my secretary, Cathy, runs the office stuff I hate dealing with.
“Hey, pretty lady!” Cathy says as I walk in and grab a cup of coffee, topping it off with some cream.
“Hey. Mark told me the bad news. He’s giving a week’s notice.”
Cathy nods, not at all shocked by this. She’s always five steps ahead, and that’s why I love her. “Want me to put some feelers out and see who’s available?”
“Yeah, we’ve got to get on this. I don’t want it sitting open too long.”
“I heard Brandon Knight was calling it quits out at the Johnson place. Maybe he’s available,” Cathy says, making me nearly choke on my coffee.
“What did you say?” I cough, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. He quit? He’s been working with Cash for as long as I can remember.
“Seems he told Cash he’s taken the farm as far as he can and turned in his notice.”
My stomach drops as I plop down in the closest chair. Brandon is leaving? I knew he wasn’t happy there lately. I could see it written on his face. Hell, the whole damn town did. But I never expected him to quit. Does that mean he is leaving town? I never thought he’d pussy out on making me his.
The disappointment turns to anger, and I feel like punching him in his beautiful mouth.
“From what I’ve heard,” Cathy says, casually typing away on the computer, not looking at me, “he’s staying out in one of Ty’s bunk houses for the time being.”
I’m out of my seat and out the door before Cathy finishes her sentence. As I barrel from the office, I hear Cathy call out from behind me, “Take care, Dolly. Tell Mary-Jane I said hello.”
I take the Gator back to my house, run inside, and grab the phone. It rings a couple of times, and I stomp my foot while I wait. Finally, Mary-Jane picks up, and I start with the questions.
“Is it true he’s out at your place?” I pause for half a second, not nearly enough time for her to answer, before I ask another. “When were you planning on telling me he was there? MJ, I thought we were sisters.” MJ is the only female friend I really have, and we’ve become close since she married my brother Ty and started popping out his babies. Most of the girls I’d grown up with were off in college or already married and living a life I wanted.
“Slow down, Dolly,” she says into the phone, but her voice is whisper-quiet. “I called you three times this morning, but you didn’t answer.” I hear a door shut, and her voice picks up. “He showed up here yesterday talking to Ty. I couldn’t tell what they were saying, but something’s going on. I tried to get it out of Ty last night, but none of my tricks worked.”
“Ew. Gross. Skip that part,” I say, eager for her to bypass the fact that she has sex with my brother.
MJ giggles. “Whatever. I left you a message, but I’ll tell you anyway. I’m making dinner tonight, and you’re going to pop by around six and magically join us. Got it?”
“You act like that wasn’t going to happen anyway,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“Just get your butt over here and thank me later. I’ve got to get back out there before Ty comes looking for me.”
“Over and out,” I say, hanging up.
My mama always said the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. But I like to think she left off the part about short skirts and cleavage because I was too young to hear it. A plan forms in my head, and I know exactly where to start.