Chapter 6
6
Mateo
I t was entirely possible that Mateo had bitten off more than he could chew. As more men showed up to take their place in the wranglers’ cabin, he started to question if he’d hired too many.
His accountant had assured him that the business model he’d set up would allow him to hire the number of men he had before him, but now, he wasn’t so sure.
It had always been just him and his siblings. Now, with all this new blood, he couldn’t fight the worry that swirled within him.
He was responsible for all these people—their livelihoods were in his hands.
“Wow,” Daniel grunted at his side. “I knew you’d hired twelve guys, but it seems like so much more when they’re all here.”
Mateo nodded, hating that Daniel had noticed the same thing he had. This would be okay. They had enough work for the men to do. And if he had to let some of them go… well, he’d cross that bridge when the time came. “To be fair, two of these guys are helping in the kitchen… so…” He eyed his friend. “It’s definitely going to be a change around here.”
Daniel flashed him a smile. “I’ve half a mind to move in with them so I can get the full experience.”
The flat look Mateo gave his friend only made Daniel laugh.
“You’re right. I don’t think my brother is all that thrilled about the prospect of me moving out when I get married to your cousin. I should probably make the most of the last few months I’ll be at home.” He clapped Mateo on the back with another grin. “We officially start training tomorrow, but I’m going to get them all together for a meeting tonight—if you want to join. We’ll stay late in the cafeteria after supper.”
At the mention of the mess hall, Mateo’s heart stuttered. After giving Nikki a tour of her new workspace, he hadn’t seen her. He couldn’t decide why he felt like he was avoiding her. She was his employee. He had every right to check in on her and make sure she had everything she needed. Today she’d serve supper. It would be the first meal she would prepare for the men he was now overseeing.
And the thought of catching sight of her had his insides doing flips.
Maybe there was something wrong with him. After Caroline, he hadn’t been with anyone—at least not seriously. No one had interested him in the slightest. He’d figured it was because the betrayal that Caroline had wrought had been that bad.
But now… he was wondering if it had to do with the fact that he hadn’t found the right person.
Nikki could be that person.
No.
What was he thinking? She was Caroline’s best friend—or she had been. But on top of that, she was his employee, and she had a kid! Even if he was interested, chances were slim that she would be. Most single moms were also single-minded… concerned mostly with taking care of their kiddos.
Daniel chuckled and nudged him, reminding him that he’d asked him something. Or he was waiting for something. “You okay, man?”
Mateo sighed. “I’m a little distracted.”
“Could it be due to a certain little someone?” Daniel wagged his brows suggestively. Man, the guy had certainly come out of his shell since he’d found Aria. He was more open and social—and it had everything to do with Aria. They were meant for each other. Where one person struggled, the other excelled. He’d helped Aria learn to trust and open up again while she’d made him more confident with his friends.
Mateo didn’t bother meeting the guy’s eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Daniel snickered. “I heard some stories about her, you know.”
Stories? What kind of stories? Mateo slid his gaze to his friend but only let it linger for a moment. “Who are we talking about again?” He needed to play dumb if he wanted any chance at keeping his distance. Sophia was already planning something, and Mateo knew better than to stand in her way or try to avoid it.
His friend nudged him again. “You and I both know who I’m talking about. Sophia told Aria that Nikki is a sweetheart—her words, not mine—and that she thinks the two of you would be a great fit.”
“Yeah, well, Sophia is a romantic about everyone but herself—so I wouldn’t put much stock into what she’s planning.”
“So, she is planning something?” Daniel drawled.
Mateo forced his expression to go blank. “I have no idea, but my sister is nothing but a meddler. If she’d been in town when you met Aria, she would have pushed you two together until your faces looked like they were smashed against a windowpane.”
That had Daniel laughing. “Fair enough.” They were quiet for another moment before Daniel shifted and gave Mateo a side-eyed glance once more. “What are you going to do about it?”
“What am I going to do about what?” Mateo grunted.
“Your sister pushing you and Nikki together. Do you have any inclination…”
Mateo shook his head. “None whatsoever. First and most important, she’s my employee. That would be an HR nightmare.”
Daniel snorted. “You’re HR, so you can’t use that excuse.”
Choosing to ignore his friend’s statement, Mateo folded his arms across his broad chest. “And we have a history.”
“Wait, you do?”
He could have slugged Daniel for the third degree he was getting. “You said you heard the stories.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I heard about your history. I just heard about the girl who broke your heart, and she was friends?—”
“That’s history enough.” Mateo strode away, needing to end this conversation. He didn’t want to relive the past. And he had zero intention of writing a new future for himself and Nikki, so there was no reason to discuss this situation any further.
“Does that mean you’re not coming to the meeting?” Daniel called out.
“I’ll be there,” Mateo called back. Even if it was just so he could catch a glimpse of the girl he was quickly realizing he’d become enamored with.
* * *
The cafeteria smelled like heaven. The second Mateo entered the building, he had to stop to appreciate the blend of spices and herbs that she’d used in her recipe. She hadn’t been lying when she’d told him that she was experienced enough to be the chef.
Two men were in the kitchen with her, looking more out of place than ducks surrounding a swan. They wore their cowboy garb, complete with their hats and boots. Their responsibilities in the kitchen would be only part of the work they’d complete while on this ranch. During the time when they weren’t needed in the kitchen, they’d work to maintain the stables.
They were younger, just out of high school and definitely wet behind the ears. But they were also eager to learn.
Nikki was the last to look up when he entered the kitchen. Her eyes locked with his in a moment when the earth stopped spinning. In the corner at a small table, Paxton was working hard on a coloring book filled with horses.
The kid was made to be a cowboy. There was no doubt in Mateo’s mind of that, and for some reason, it brought him joy beyond measure. Paxton didn’t belong to him, and yet he couldn’t shake this feeling that he was meant to be here.
Shrugging off the strange feeling, Mateo returned his focus to Nikki, but she had returned to her task at hand.
“Mark, the gravy. You have to keep stirring it until it thickens or we’re going to end up with a lumpy mess. Jason, take the cornbread out of the oven. It’s going to burn if we don’t get it out right now.” Nikki hustled toward something on the stove. She dipped a spoon into the pot and withdrew what looked like some creamy mashed potatoes. She sampled it, then reached for some salt.
She’d successfully pushed him out of her orbit without a second thought. It was actually impressive—or proof that he didn’t affect her like she was affecting him.
Hmm. He had mixed feelings about that.
Without looking at him, she called out. “Is there something you need, Mr. Palmer? Or are you just curious how a kitchen works?”
He bit back a chuckle. He’d come in here with the excuse that he wanted to check on her, but deep down, he simply wanted to spend time with her. If she was any other person, he might tell her that, but this was Nikki, and something was holding him back. He needed to be professional.
Mateo shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Just making sure you have everything you need.”
She paused and tossed a look in his direction. A myriad of emotions flickered on her face, after which she gave him a short nod. “I’ve got everything I need, thank you. Will you be staying for supper?”
He grinned, and a flirtatious comment threatened to escape his tongue, but he refrained as he reminded himself that they weren’t alone. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
Nikki gave him another curt nod.
Mateo wanted to stay, to linger and just spend time with her. He was tempted to move closer, to help her with the meal—any excuse to be with her. But she was busy. And clearly, she wasn’t interested in his company.
He took his leave, heading out to where the rest of the men were starting to spill into the room. Most of them looked in high spirits, and a sense of comradery spread between them. But Mateo didn’t have much time to survey his new employees before Jason, Mark, and Nikki exited through swinging doors with trays of food.
He found himself drawn to her as he watched her serving up the meals to the men. That smile. Those eyes. He couldn’t get enough. One moment, he was leaning against the wall, watching her work. And the next, he was beside her as she motioned for her helpers to get themselves something to eat.
“You certainly look to be in your element,” he whispered behind her ear, drawing a gasp from her lips. She stiffened but didn’t turn to face him.
“Yeah, well, I did tell you that I was good at this sort of thing.”
He moved even closer, standing directly behind her. “That you did.” His voice was so low that there was no chance the people in the room could hear him. “I should have known you would be an overachiever. You were always really good at raising the bar. It was something I always admired about you.” Mateo shifted until he was at her side and his arm brushed against hers.
Warmth sparked between them, sending tingles skittering along his skin until he had to stare at his arm to make sure nothing wrong was happening.
He almost missed the sharp intake of breath from her lips. Then again, maybe that had been his own. No one was looking. No one would know if he chose to go against his own better judgment and flirt with her.
But flirting seemed so shallow. Something in his head screamed that he wanted more. He wanted to know every last detail of her life.
Mateo shifted until he leaned his side against the table where they’d set up the serving trays. “You know something? I’ve realized I’ve missed you.”
Her eyes rounded, then she immediately schooled her features and looked away. “I wanted to tell you something, Mateo. I need you to know that Caroline and I?—”
He shook his head, which seemed to be enough to cut her off. “Tell me something I don’t know about you—something new or old, I don’t care. But make it something just between us.”
“Just between us?” she whispered.
Mateo lifted a shoulder. This was dangerous territory, but he could pretend that it was strictly him being a good boss. “Tell me yours, and I’ll tell you mine.”