Chapter 4
Brooks
I hate sitting at a desk. I hate emails.
I hate paperwork. I hate meetings. All the admin stuff…
yeah, I hate it. Granted, I’ve handed most of that stuff off to Harper because, for reasons I’ll never understand, she loves that shit.
I’d much rather be out in the lodge talking with guests or out at the stables helping with trail rides.
Hell, I’d even love to renovate the guest cabins myself.
Working with my hands has always been a skill of mine.
But occasionally, I do have to do some work that involves this stupid computer.
Unfortunately, Harper can’t do everything.
Some things still require my input. So, that’s what I’m doing this morning.
Reading through emails that are waiting for a response from me.
I’ve been putting them off for almost a week, so it’s time.
Figured I should knock it out early so I can spend the rest of my day doing… anything else.
There’s a timid knock on my office door, and I look up, ready for a welcome distraction.
“Yeah?”
The door opens, and my new employee, Aspen, walks in holding my favorite coffee mug.
“Good morning, Mr. Calloway.” She sets the mug down on the corner of my desk. “I brought you your coffee.”
“Mr. Calloway is my father. Everyone calls me Brooks.” She nods. “And you don’t have to bring me coffee. I don’t mind getting it myself.”
“Oh, Harper said—”
“I know what Harper said, but I can get my own coffee.”
She cocks her head, and I can see the confusion in her eyes. “Did your old assistant bring you coffee?”
“Well, yeah, but you’re—”
“Then I’m also going to bring you your coffee. I don’t want to be treated any differently just because I’m Zach’s girlfriend.”
I chuckle. “Well, alright then.”
She looks much more casual today in her jeans and Moonlight Ranch shirt.
Her curly hair, which was down and wild yesterday, is pulled back into a braid today.
I was a little worried that she wasn’t going to fit in around here.
Since Zach is so anti-ranch life, I assumed that she would be similar.
But she’s looking the part already after only one day.
“Is there anything you need from me this mornin’?” I ask. I know she’s still deep in training with Harper. It might be a week or two before she’s ready to handle things on her own.
“Yes, actually. I wanted to remind you of your meeting with the mayor in an hour. He’ll be calling promptly at ten.”
“Aw, damn.” Add meetings with the mayor to the list of things I dislike.
“Would you like me to reschedule it?”
“Nah. I’ll just get it over with. He wants to go over plans for the Fourth of July, but we do the same damn thing every year. I don’t know why we need a whole ass meeting to discuss it.”
She tries to hold back her laughter at my outburst, but she can’t hide her smile. “Oh, right. Is there anything I can do to help?”
I don’t really need her help, but since she’s offering. “Yeah, you’ll need to sit in the meeting with me. Take notes on what we need to get done before the Fourth. It’ll be a good virtual introduction to the mayor of Blue Haven, also. He’s always been a good partner with the ranch.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll be back in here a few minutes before ten then.”
“Good.”
“Anything else?” she asks.
“That’ll do it.”
She nods and turns to leave my office. Not even five minutes later, Harper is bursting in and taking a seat across my desk. She doesn’t bother knocking anymore.
“Hey, Harp. How are you doin’ this lovely morning?”
“Overworked and underpaid,” she states flatly.
I roll my eyes. “You’re the highest-paid person on this ranch.”
She laughs. “I know. I just like hearing you say it.”
“Of course you do.”
“Listen, you know the Reynolds family is checking in this afternoon?” she asks.
“I wasn’t aware, but I’ll make sure to track them down.
” The Reynolds family has been coming ’round the ranch every year since I can remember.
They used to bring their kids, and now their kids bring their kids.
Those are my favorite kinds of guests. The ones that love the ranch so much that they come back over and over again.
“Good. You ready for the meeting with the mayor?”
“Is there something for me to be ready for? Same shit, different year.” The town wants my money and my staff to help with the celebrations. It happens every year for every holiday. You’d think the town treasury was directly linked to my wallet at this point. But if I don’t do it, I’m the bad guy.
“True. Well, in other news, the new girl seems promising.”
Thank god. The last thing I want to do is have to start interviewing.
When Zach mentioned Aspen needed a job, I was glad to jump on the opportunity.
I trust my son to be with someone who has enough common sense to do this job.
Hiring Aspen has hopefully earned me some points in Zach’s eyes, too.
He used to love hanging out with me and being at the ranch, but the older he got, the more he pulled away from me.
I thought it was just a teenager phase, and that I just needed to give him time and space.
I mean, I was a kid once. I remember not wanting anything to do with my dad.
I came around, though. Unfortunately, I’m still waiting for Zach to do that.
With any luck, now that he’s back in town, I can try to fix whatever is broken between us.
It would help if I knew what that was, though.
Aspen was also a blessing because I needed to get Harper relief for the desk fast. She’s got enough to do around here besides checking people in.
“That’s good to hear,” I tell her.
“Yeah, she picked everything up quickly. Seems really smart and motivated. I think she’ll fit right in.”
“Good. She told me yesterday that she’s never ridden a horse, so we need to change that quickly.”
Harper laughs. “Got it. I’ll add it to the list: teach the new girl how to ride.”
“Get her a time slot with Beck. He can teach her.”
“Alright. You going into town tonight?” she asks. Occasionally, we meet up for dinner or drinks. Both of us being over thirty and single doesn’t give us a whole lot of options around here, unfortunately.
“Wasn’t plannin’ on it. You need a wingman?”
She huffs a laugh. “No. I’m out of food at home and dreading going to the grocery store.”
“I made pulled pork last night. You’re welcome to come get some. Got tons of leftovers.”
“I might take you up on that.” She stands from her chair. “Alright. I gotta get back to it. Good luck with the mayor.”
I get at least forty-five minutes of silence to answer emails and finish my coffee.
At two minutes to ten, there’s a gentle knock on my office door before Aspen walks in and takes a seat.
She puts her notebook and pen on the corner of my desk as if she’s worked here for years.
I like that. I like that she’s confident.
I’ve had plenty of associates act like they’re terrified of me, which always confuses me. I’d rather us all be one big family.
“Ready?” I ask.
“Yes, sir.”
Before I have a chance to say anything else, my phone rings. Eli Cunningham’s name pops up on my screen, and I sigh before sliding to answer and putting it on speaker.
“Mornin’, Mr. Mayor.”
“Brooks. It’s a fine mornin’ if I do say so myself.
” Eli and I went to school together. All thirteen years of it.
I’ve known him my entire life. He’s always been a little bit of the nerdy type, but even I have to admit, he’s a pretty good mayor.
He loves Blue Haven, and the people love him.
So as much as I dread having these little talks with him, I know they’re necessary.
“That it is. I’ve got my new assistant with me today. Her name is Aspen.”
“Aspen?” Eli asks, more to himself than to us. “I don’t think I know an Aspen. Are you new to town?”
I look over the desk at Aspen. “Yes, sir. I am.”
“Oh!” Eli is way too excited about this. “Welcome to Blue Haven: the best town in the state of Georgia.”
Aspen lets out a quiet chuckle as she says, “Thank you. I’m glad to be here.”
“You’ll have to come on down to city hall soon. I’d be happy to give you a tour of the town. Welcome you properly.”
Aspen looks terrified by that suggestion, but she agrees nonetheless.
“Alright, let’s get down to business, shall we?” I say. “Got a busy day today.”
“Yes. Right. I won’t keep you long,” Eli says. “Just wanted to go over plans for the Fourth of July.”
“You mean you wanna know how much money I’m gonna give you?”
“Well, yes, Brooks, but you don’t need to say it so crudely. I’m only looking out for the town. They’ve come to expect a certain standard for these town celebrations. Unfortunately, without raising taxes, your generous donations are the only way we can keep it up.”
“Don’t get your panties in a twist, Eli. You know I’m going to donate.”
“As you know, the Moonlight Ranch donations cover the food trucks, the 5k, the DJ, and the activities for the kids. You should feel proud that you’re contributing to so much joy.”
Miraculously, I manage to hold in my laugh. “Don’t need you telling me how to feel, Cunningham. Tell me what you need, and I’ll write the check.”
Eli goes over the breakdown. Unfortunately for me, he’s very thorough in covering exactly where the money will go.
He goes on and on with his quotes and which vendor the city has selected.
If he expects me to question him on his math or sources, he’s got the wrong man.
But I let him talk because, after all these years, I know he just needs to get it out.
“Sounds good, Eli. I’ll drop the check off this afternoon.”
He sighs in relief as if he expected me to say no. I’ve never rejected anything this town has asked me for. My father didn’t either. The Calloways are rooted deep in Blue Haven, and I plan on keeping it that way for as long as I can.
“Alright. Thanks, Brooks.”
I hang up the phone and notice Aspen frantically writing things down on her notepad. “Sorry, I didn’t get some of the numbers. He went so fast.”
“That’s alright. I don’t really need it.” Guess I should’ve told her that earlier. I’d like to say I had a good reason for her to sit in on the call, but honestly… I didn’t. Just kind of wanted her to be in here.
“Oh.”
“I’ll come grab you after lunch, and you can come to city hall with me. Get your meeting with Eli out of the way.”
“Alright. Can’t wait. I’ll be at the desk.” She stands from her chair, and I watch her walk out of my office with her little notebook. She’s cute. It’s easy to see why Zach likes her.
And the good news for me is that she really does seem eager and motivated to work. I’m really hoping this works out.
I grab my phone and shoot Zach a text.
Me: Hey, wanted to check in. How’s everything going? Anything you need?
Of course it goes unanswered, and I’m left wondering if our relationship will ever mend.